Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Cost
General
Visiting campus
Transferring
Is Northwestern hard to get into?
Northwestern’s admissions requirements are somewhat selective. Hight school applicants need a GPA ≥ 2.65 to be accepted without a test score (ACT or SAT). If your GPA is below 2.65, you’ll also need an ACT ≥ 18 or SAT ≥ 960 to be accepted. Transfer applicants need a college GPA ≥ 2.25 to be accepted.
When should I apply?
Northwestern typically starts accepting students on or around Aug. 1, but you can apply for free earlier than that or any time after that up to the start of the semester for which you’re enrolling.
How do I apply?
You can apply online for free anytime. You’ll need to provide an email address and create a password that will enable you to return to your application any time until it’s complete and submitted.
When will I know if I’m accepted?
If you apply before Aug. 1, you’ll receive an acceptance decision during the first 2 weeks of August. If you apply after that, we’ll try to make an acceptance decision within 2 weeks of receiving your completed application, which includes your transcripts.
How do I get accepted?
To be accepted, you need to first apply and have your transcripts sent to our admissions office.
When should I submit my deposit?
Once you’ve been accepted, you can submit your deposit anytime. We recommend depositing early because course registration and residence hall preferences are prioritized by the date we receive your deposit. If you decide not to attend Northwestern, your deposit is fully refundable through May 1.
How do I enroll?
Our admissions experts will guide you through all the steps to enrolling, from visiting campus to applying, depositing and applying for financial aid.
What grades do I need to get into Northwestern?
We require high school applicants to have a GPA ≥ 2.65 to be accepted without a test score (ACT or SAT). If your GPA is below 2.65, you’ll also need an ACT ≥ 18 or SAT ≥ 960 to be accepted. Transfer applicants need a college GPA ≥ 2.25 to be accepted.
What are the admission requirements?
We require high school applicants to have a GPA ≥ 2.65 to be accepted without a test score (ACT or SAT). If your GPA is below 2.65, you’ll also need an ACT ≥ 18 or SAT ≥ 960 to be accepted. Transfer applicants need a college GPA ≥ 2.25 to be accepted. Mission-fit also matters, so we reserve the right to deny admission to any applicant whose demonstrated behavior or character is not aligned with the expectations outlined in our Student Handbook.
Does Northwestern have a foreign language requirement?
Yes, and there are 3 ways to meet it. 1) You can complete 3 years of a foreign language in high school, earning at least a “C”. 2) You can complete 2 semesters of foreign language in college. 3) You can transfer to Northwestern with a completed A.A. or A.S. degree from a community college.
Do I need an ACT to get accepted?
Northwestern is test-optional, so you don’t need an ACT to be accepted if your GPA is ≥ 2.65. If your GPA is below 2.65, you’ll also need an ACT ≥ 18 to be accepted. We encourage all students to submit a test score. Students who submit an ACT before Dec. 31 will receive a bonus of at least $500/year to their academic scholarship.
Do I need an SAT to get accepted?
Northwestern is test-optional, so you don’t need an SAT to be accepted if your GPA is ≥ 2.65. If your GPA is below 2.65, you’ll also need an SAT ≥ 960 to be accepted. We encourage all students to submit a test score. Students who submit an SAT before Dec. 31 will receive a bonus of at least $500/year to their academic scholarship.