Financial Aid

Q: What is the typical stipend for doctoral students?

The Graduate School offers a competitive base stipend of $20,112. For information regarding the cost of living in Chicago and the 12 month stipend rate, click here.

Transcripts

Q: My former school will not send me transcripts in sealed envelopes to enclose with the rest of my application materials.  What should I do?

A: Most schools will issue documents in sealed envelopes directly to the student.  If your school will not, please have your transcript sent directly to the program to which you are applying.  If your name has changed, be sure to note your former name in your application so your transcripts can be matched to your file.

Q: I took one course during the summer from a different university.  Do I have to send the transcript for that one class?

A: Yes.  You will need to submit that transcript.  The exception is if the class and its grade appear on another school’s transcript already being sent.

Q: My transcripts are from a foreign country and I cannot have the originals sent. What should I do?

A: You may have certified copies of your foreign transcripts sent if you are not able to send original official copies.  Please have them certified by your university or, if they are on file at another institution, by a member of that institution’s admissions or records staff. We do NOT accept certifications from Notary Publics or credential agencies. If the originals are not in English, a literal English translation must be supplied as well. Please be advised, if admitted, you will be required to submit original copies of your transcripts to The Graduate School before you will be permitted to enroll in classes.

Q: Do I have to send the original language copy of my transcripts as well as the English translation?

A: Yes.  It is absolutely necessary that you submit your transcripts in both the native language and in English in order for us to complete a proper evaluation of your credentials.

Q: May I send my supplemental materials to Northwestern before I submit my online application?

A: Documents that arrive before your application will be held in a pending file until the application and fee are submitted. (Pending file items are held for six months and then destroyed.)  Anything sent separately from the application should include your name, your birth date, and the name of the program to which you are applying.

Recommendation Letters

Q: I have been out of school for several years and there is no one left who can write an academic recommendation for me.  May my employer write one?

A: The purpose of submitting letters of recommendation is to give program faculty and The Graduate School an indication of your ability to do scholarly research. It is recommended that current or former professors in your major-field courses be asked by you to submit your recommendations, as they would have the best idea of your research potential. If, however, such persons are no longer available to ask, anyone who you think can best assess your potential for graduate study can be asked to write the letter.

Q: I want to send more than the required number of letters of recommendation because I feel this will enhance my chances of being offered admission. Is this true?

A: It is not how many you send but the information contained in those letters that contributes to your overall admissibility. Send the required number, two or three, but choose these recommenders well. Does the faculty in the program to which you are applying know your letter writers? Will they write fair and thoughtful recommendations for you? Can they speak to your academic research and accomplishments and your potential for graduate study?

GRE

Q. I am applying for admission to Fall quarter 2008. What is the cut off date for my GRE scores?

A. GRE test scores for applicants applying to Fall quarter 2008 may not be older than September 1, 2003.

Q: If I take the GRE in November, will my scores arrive in time for fellowship/scholarship competition?

A: The only answer we can give is "maybe."  There have been years when the scoring by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) was delayed and the score reports were received too long after the deadline for files to be considered for financial aid.  It is best to take the test three to four months before the application deadline.

Q: I sent my GRE score to Northwestern University, but the institution code I used was not 1565.  Can you retrieve my scores from the other school?

A: No.  We will only receive your scores if they are sent to the appropriate code.

Q: My name has changed since taking a required test for admission.  What should I do?

A: It is extremely important that the name used on your application exactly matches the name used on your test score reports.  If the name on your application and test score reports are not exactly the same we will not receive your test scores.  If your name has changed since taking a required admission test, be sure to indicate your original surname in the space provided on the online application.

Q: What are The Graduate School's school and department code for the submission of GRE scores?

A: The Graduate School's school code 1565. You may use any department code.

English Language Tests

Q: I am a foreign student.  My TOEFL/IELTS score is more than two years old, so the Educational Testing Service will not send official scores to you.  Will you accept a photocopy?

A: No. TOEFL and IELTS tests must be taken no more than two years before the desired quarter of entry.  TOEFL test scores for applicants applying to Fall quarter 2008, may not be older than September 1, 2006. Photocopies are not acceptable evidence of your TOEFL or IELTS score.

Q: I am a foreign student who attended a master’s level program in the U.S. although my undergraduate work was taken at a non-English speaking institution abroad.  Because I have a U.S. master’s degree, will the TOEFL or IELTS score requirement be waived?

A: The Graduate School does not require test scores from those who have earned a graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English.

Q: What are The Graduate School's school and department codes for the submission of TOEFL scores?

A: The Graduate School's school code is 1565. The Graduate School's department code is 01.

Deadlines

Q: What will happen to my application if I miss the deadline?

A: Programs vary in their willingness to consider late applications.  Some programs adhere strictly to the stated deadlines and will not look at those that arrive late. Others continue to review applications until all spaces have been filled.  Please check with your desired program.  In all cases, it is better to send your complete application, including all support materials, several weeks ahead of the deadline to assure your chances for full consideration.  Please note that Northwestern University does not accept responsibility for postal or courier service delays.

Q: The information I received from The Graduate School says the deadline for Fall Quarter is December 31, but the program information lists another date.  Which one do I follow?

A: The December 31 deadline published by The Graduate School is for submission of materials for admission and financial aid.  It is at the programs’ discretion to set an earlier deadline.  Please check with the individual programs for information regarding independent application deadlines (see Program Contact List for contact information).

Decision notification

Q: If I meet the required deadlines, when can I expect to receive a decision?

A:  Programs have different application review schedules.  Some programs wait and rank all of their applications against each other; others make individual determinations on a case-by-case basis.  Program decisions are rendered from early January all the way through the middle of April. To reduce your wait time, The Graduate School communicates admission decision via the online application. Denied students will not receive a letter from the University. Admitted students will receive an admission packet. You may access the online application as many times as you wish to check if a decision has been rendered on your file. If admitted, you will be asked submit your enrollment decision via the online application as well.

Q: I have not received an admission decision yet, what should I do?

A: Be sure to check the online application for your admission decision. If a decision has been rendered on your application a “View Decision” link will appear. If no link is present, a decision has not yet been rendered on your application. Please exercise patience while waiting for your admission decision. Admission decision will be posted as soon as they are rendered.

International Students

Q: To whom should I send my Request for Visa?

A: The Graduate School accepts visa requests from enrolling students only. Once completed, Request for Visa forms should be sent to The Graduate School, with accompanying evidence of support. Once this form is received and processed by The Graduate School, your information will be sent to the International Office. The International Office will process your I-20 and send it to your admitting department.  Your admitting department will then send you your I-20.  You will use this document to obtain your visa.  For questions regarding choosing the proper visa or errors in your visa document, please contact Therese Simpson in the International Office via email intoff@northwestern.edu or phone 847-491-5613.

Q: Does Northwestern University accept 3 year bachelor’s degrees?

A: Yes. The Graduate School welcomes students with 3-year bachelor’s degrees to apply for admission.

Q: I am in the process of completing my degree from an English speaking institution. Do I need to submit a TOEFL score?

A: If you are in the process of earning a degree from an institution where the primary language of instruction is English, you do not need to submit a TOEFL score. However, you must earn the degree BEFORE you enroll in classes at Northwestern. If you do not earn your degree, you will not be permitted to register.