Northwestern University

Apply for first-year Apply for transfer

Northwestern University

Apply for first-year Apply for transfer

A Northwestern education takes place at the intersections between multidisciplinary coursework, campus activities, collaborative research, and global engagement. Our six undergraduate schools (arts & sciences; engineering; communication; journalism; education & social policy; music) offer 200+ academic programs, 4,700+ courses, and a quarter system that affords three versus two academic terms to fulfill requirements and explore electives. Our people include 8,000 undergraduates from 50 states and over 80 countries, 1,200 full-time faculty, and a worldwide alumni network. Our setting in Evanston, IL, combines a lakeside campus with a vibrant college town and one of the world’s great cities, Chicago, just a few miles south.

Virtual Tour

Academic Programs

Design
Engineering
Research
Science
Technology
Liberal Arts
Business
Education
Communication
Music
Art & Design
Economics
Finance/Accounting
Government/Political Science
Health Science
Performing Arts
Social Science
Visual Arts
Entrepreneurship
Ethnic Studies
History
Humanities
Journalism

Student experience

Athletics
Co-op/Internship Opportunities
Disability Services
Greek Life
Intramural/Club Sports
LGBTQIA Services
Military/Veteran Services
On-Campus Housing
ROTC Program
Study Abroad
Undergraduate Research
Cultural organizations
Political Organizations
Speech & debate
Student publications

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

First-year

If you have not enrolled in college study after secondary school graduation, you should apply as a first-year student. For more information on application options, deadlines, and requirements, please see: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/application-options.html.

Transfer

If you have enrolled in college study after secondary school graduation, you must apply as a transfer student. For more information, deadlines, and requirements, please see: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/application-options.html#transfer.

Additional Information

We are deeply committed to making a Northwestern education possible for students from all financial backgrounds. Our review process is need-blind for all applicants who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents as well as undocumented students at U.S. high schools, which means we evaluate applications without regard to a student’s ability to pay the cost of tuition. All of our financial aid is need-based, and we meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.

To further increase college access and success, we award loan-free financial aid packages to all families who qualify for need-based aid. This means that students graduate with minimal debt and maximum freedom to pursue meaningful jobs without concern for high loan payments.

For more information on financial aid and accessibility, visit https://admissions.northwestern.edu/tuition-aid/index.html.

Visit us

We look forward to welcoming you to campus and answering your questions about living and learning here. We have on-campus visit options that range from information sessions to shadowing a current student. Start exploring at https://admissions.northwestern.edu/visit/plan-your-visit/index.html.

"My goal is for Northwestern students to pursue their passions and dreams here and to thrive in an educational environment that is welcoming, inspiring, and inclusive."
Morton Shapiro, President, Northwestern University, 2015