Applying to Northwestern

International applicants to Northwestern include citizens of foreign countries in foreign education systems, citizens of foreign countries in the U.S. education system, and U.S. citizens studying abroad. All applicants to Northwestern, international and domestic, apply using the same process and timeline. International applicants are evaluated in the same group as domestic students except for citizens of foreign countries who apply for financial aid (see Financing Your Education).

Applications are submitted to and reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admission for entrance to one of Northwestern's six undergraduate schools. Admission to Northwestern is determined by a detailed review of an applicant's academic record, test scores, recommendations from teachers or counselors, involvement outside of the classroom, and submitted essays. Northwestern is looking for motivated students from a variety of cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds who demonstrate excellence in diverse ways.

International students interested in applying to Northwestern should carefully review the following information before beginning the application process.

Secondary School Record

Strong candidates for admission are encouraged to take a demanding program of study throughout their secondary school career. "Demanding program" is defined differently in each country, school, and educational system. Northwestern University does not prescribe the curriculum candidates should study in secondary school, but expects clear academic success and strong results in all courses and on all examinations.

Prior to the expected date of enrollment at Northwestern, students should complete an academic program which would allow them to enter a university in their home country. For example, students in a British-based education system should complete A-level examinations before enrollment. Most applicants will begin the application process during their final year of pre-university preparation. Students who have already enrolled at another postsecondary institution are not eligible for freshman admission and should apply for transfer admission.

Due to application materials deadlines, applicants should have their schools send predicted scores for university entrance examinations (e.g. A-level, Baccalaureate, Abitur, International Baccalaureate, Australian HSC, etc.) to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Admitted students should send official copies of the final results when they become available. These final scores will be evaluated by the University registrar on an individual basis for the possible award of up to one full year of academic credit.

Test scores

Northwestern University requires all undergraduate applicants, whether educated in the United States or abroad, to submit the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT Reasoning Test) or American College Test (ACT) with writing.

SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission to Northwestern except for two special admission programs: Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) and the Integrated Science Program (ISP). However, Northwestern strongly recommends that all applicants take two or three SAT Subject Tests before the application deadline.

Median (middle 50%) test scores of admitted freshmen
SAT Reasoning Test Critical Reading	690-770
SAT Reasoning Test Math	700-790
ACT	31-34

Reporting Codes for Northwestern University
SAT	1565
ACT	1106

English Proficiency

Undergraduate applicants must demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency to insure that they will be able to complete their degree requirements at Northwestern. Students whose first language is not English or whose schooling has not been in English are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Northwestern will continue to accept the paper-and-computer based versions of the test until the Internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT) is fully implemented and available to all countries.

Students whose schooling has been primarily in English are not required to submit a TOEFL score if their score on the Critical Reading section of the SAT Reasoning Test is above 600. Northwestern does not accept scores from other English proficiency exams including the TOEFL Institutional Testing Program (ITP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Median TOEFL score of admitted freshmen
TOEFL (computer-based)	277
TOEFL (internet-based)	111

Reporting Code for Northwestern University
TOEFL	1565

Visa Information

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents require a visa to attend a university in the United States. Admitted students will receive detailed instructions about the procedure for obtaining a visa. http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/intl/visas/

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