Doctoral

Next Steps for Newly Admitted Doctoral Students

1) View Your Electronic Admission Decision
If you have not done so already, please view your admission decision via the online application. You may access the online application link by visiting TGS admissions.

Once you have logged into the online application (using the same pin and password you used to create your application) click the “decision” link on the Applicant Status Page. (This is the first page you see when you login to the online application.) After clicking the “decision” link, you will be taken to a virtual copy of your admit letter. Contained within your virtual admit letter is important information regarding enrollment decision deadlines and the link to submit your enrollment decision.

2) Submit Your Enrollment Decision Online
Please let us know if you are accepting or declining our admission offer by submitting your enrollment decision via the online application. Your enrollment decision must be entered by the enrollment deadline stated in your virtual admission letter. Late enrollment decisions may not be accepted. Once submitted, enrollment decisions may not be changed.

It is important to note that by accepting our offer of admission, you are also accepting any financial award offered to you by Northwestern University. Before accepting or declining your offer of admission, please consult the "Regulations Governing University Assistance" Web site.

If you cannot remember your application login information, click the “Forgot your PIN or Password?” link on the online application login page and follow the instructions. If you need additional assistance, you may call the online application helpline at 1-888-517-6460.

If You Intend to Enroll at Northwestern University

3) Mail Your Official Transcripts
Transcripts uploaded in your online application are not official documents. Therefore, you are required to submit one official copy of each of your transcripts to The Graduate School Admission Office. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution’s Registrar: either mailed in sealed, unopened envelopes or emailed as official, electronic transcripts. We will not accept transcripts emailed to us directly from students. Emailed transcripts must be sent from the issuing institution via a secure, password protected, e-transcript delivery service. You should check with your institution’s Registrar's Office to see if they offer an e-transcript service.

Please do not submit your official transcripts until all degrees you will earn prior to enrolling at Northwestern University are listed. Verifying the completion of your previous degrees is an important step in our transcript collection process. 

New students will not be permitted to register for their second quarter of study at Northwestern until all official transcripts (including degree-awarding transcripts) have been received by The Graduate School.

4) Submit Your Health Records Information
All new full-time and half-time students must visit the Entrance Health Requirements link on the Northwestern University Health Service’s (NUHS) website to review information relating to university and State of Illinois health requirements and download the required form. There are deadlines associated with these requirements (listed on the website).

5) Notify TGS of external funding (if applicable)
If you have accepted funding by a source other than Northwestern University (NSF, Ford Foundation, VEF, etc.), you must notify The Graduate School’s Financial Aid staff of this fact via email prior to your first quarter of enrollment. The Graduate School will make appropriate adjustments to your TGS financial package, if necessary. Contact information for TGS Financial Aid Staff is available via the TGS contact Web site.

6) Submit Your Visa Request (International students only)
International students must apply for a visa to study in the United States. If you are an international student, your first step is to download and complete the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form. The form is available via the International Office website. The completed I-20/DS-2019 Request Form and all supplemental documentation should be emailed directly to the International Office at Northwestern University at intadmit@northwestern.edu.

Please note, if you have been admitted to Fall quarter you must submit your I-20/DS-2019 Request no later than June 1, 2013. This includes doctoral students participating in the International Summer Institute. For all questions regarding choosing the proper visa, or errors in your visa document, please contact the International Office via email at intadmit@northwestern.edu or phone at 847-491-5613.

7) Obtain a Tax Identification Number (International students only)
Nonresidents who will receive stipends from a fellowship but will not be employed in any other way (such as a graduate assistantship or temporary employment) will not be eligible for a SSN and must complete a Form W-7, Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This form is available at the International Office and Payroll Office and must be turned in to the Payroll Office. You may use your Tax Identification Number to acquire a US bank account via Bank One, US Bank, or Citibank. Additionally, you may use this number to obtain a US cellular phone via University Mobile or ZeeZoo.

8) Activate Your NetID and Email
Doctoral enrollees receive NetID and email account information during the summer months. Your NetID will be used to access the university student services system (CAESAR), your email, and many other university Web sites. If you do not receive your NetID prior to the start of classes, you may obtain it by visiting an NUIT Support Center in person. (The NUIT Support Center will not be able to release NetID information over the phone or email.) Information regarding NUIT Support Centers is available via the NUIT Web site.

9) Enter Emergency Notification Phone Numbers
You must identify at least one phone number the university can use to contact you in the event of a campus emergency. The week prior to classes, you will be able to log into CAESAR and provide this information. You must provide this information before you can register for classes.

10) Register for Classes
All students register online through CAESAR. Registration for new students usually occurs a few days before the start of classes. The registration schedule is available via the Registrar’s Office Web site. Registration help is available from a link on the CAESAR login page, or via the CAESAR Support Line at 847-467-0260.