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 www.tgs.northwestern.edu/admission.

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. The Graduate School will accept online enrollment decisions for Fall 2010 quarter until 11:59 PM (EST) 4/15/2010. After 4/15/2010, the online enrollment interface will be closed. If you wish to submit an enrollment decision after April 15, you must submit that enrollment decision to your admitting department via email. It is at the discretion of your admitting department and The Graduate School, to accept enrollment decisions after April 15. Not all enrollment decisions submitted after April 15 will be accepted.

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 pin and password, click the “Search” button on the online application login page. An email will be sent you with your login information. If you need additional assistance, you may call the online application helpline at: 1-800-526-3313.

If You Intend to Enroll at Northwestern University

3) Submit Your Further Credentials
If you are currently working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree, you must submit an official transcript demonstrating the completion of your degree as soon as it is available. Failure to do so may result in registration delays. Before ordering your transcript, please confirm with your previous institution that your degree information is included - it often takes several weeks after final grades are received for the transcript to also be updated with degree awards. All transcripts should be submitted directly to The Graduate School:

Attn: Degree Awarding Transcript
The Graduate School
Admission Office
633 Clark Street
Evanston, IL 60208

4) Submit Your Health Records Information
All new full-time students must visit the Northwestern University Health Service (NUHS) website to review information relating to university and State of Illinois health requirements and download any necessary forms. 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 Staff directory Web site.

6) Submit Your Request for Visa (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 I-20/DS-2019 Request form is available for download via the International Student Web site.

Once complete, this form should be sent with accompanying evidence of financial support to the Director of Admission at The Graduate School via mail, fax, or email:

Attn: Request for Visa         Fax: 847-491-5070
The Graduate School         Email: b-bogdewic@northwestern.edu
633 Clark Street        
Evanston, IL 60208

Please note, if you have been admitted to Fall quarter you must submit your I-20/DS-2019 Request to The Graduate School no later than June 1, 2010. This includes doctoral students participating in the International Summer Institute. Once the form is received and processed by The Graduate School, your information will be sent to the International Office. The International Office will generate your I-20/DS-2019 and send it to your admitting department, who will then send the document to you for use in obtaining your visa. For 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.