The Northwestern Application Process

The Northwestern Application Process Explained

Northwestern University or NU, was founded in 1851 and is located in Evanston, Illinois. At the time of NU’s founding Illinois was part of a larger area known as the Area Northwest of the Ohio River, hence the name Northwestern University. Northwestern is a private research university that receives some $1 billion per year in research funding, to complement its hefty $14.1 billion endowment. NU has satellite campuses in downtown Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, CA and Coral Gables, FL.

The Northwestern Application Process Explained

With an acceptance rate of a lean 7% NU is considered difficult to gain admission to. The implications of that skimpy acceptance rate are clear: if you hope to get into Northwestern your application package had better be as close to flawless as possible. Being a private university NU offers early decision as well as standard applications. The early decision deadline is November 1, while the standard application deadline is Jan 2.

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Completed application form (including Common or Scoir)
Official high school transcripts
Supplemental essay (see below)
Counselor recommendation
2 teacher recommendations
Early Decision Agreement (optional)
(For applicants whose primary language is not English), official proof of English proficiency.
Standardized test results (optional)
Non-refundable $75 application fee
If you cannot pay the application fee, fee waivers are available

Note that some applications may require additional documentation.

About the Supplemental Essay

Northwestern requires applicants to submit one 300-word supplemental essay, or two 200-word supplemental essays using either the first or the second of the following prompts.

#1: Discuss how aspects of your background, community or domestic experience have shaped how you see yourself within the context of the Northwestern University community academically, culturally, socially or otherwise. Limit 300 words.

#2: The first topic for the shorter essay has to do with “the Rock”. The Rock is a large piece of quartzite located on the NU campus that is painted by various groups to express their beliefs, culture, social activism and more. What would you paint on the NU “Rock” and why? The second topic has to do with NU’s location. Northwestern is located on the shores of Lake Michigan just a few minutes’ drive from Chicago. What aspects of NU’s location are particularly compelling to you, and why? 200 word limit.