Key Dates
Key dates for incoming students are listed below. In addition, academic calendar dates are available online.
March
Mid-March: New student immigration document requests are available for all incoming international students through the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) Portal. To ensure students receive their F-1 or J-1 Visa in time, please visit the International Office’s website for full details and the deadline.
July
Early July: Open enrollment for the Northwestern Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP) runs from July 1-October 1. NU-SHIP provides coverage September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. International students (students with an F-1 or J-1 U.S. Visa) are required to maintain enrollment in NU-SHIP for the entire time they are at Northwestern. Students who intend to use NU-SHIP are encouraged to confirm their enrollment via the online form in CAESAR by the last week of August to ensure timely access to benefits. Students also may enroll dependents during the open enrollment period (July 1-October 1), after they have confirmed their own NU-SHIP enrollment in CAESAR.
July 1: The deadline to submit health records, including proof of immunizations, for fall entrants. The penalty deadline for submission of all documents and meeting the requirements is 30 days after the start of classes.
August
Late August: The Graduate School’s 2023 New Student Orientation will be a hybrid experience with an online, self-paced orientation course in Canvas that will launch on August 21; a series of virtual Q&A sessions in early September (more details will be shared with incoming TGS students in August 2023); a virtual TGS Resource Fair webpage; and an in-person TGS Resource Fair at Norris Center on September 13 from 1:00–3:00 PM. All aspects of The Graduate School's orientation are suggested, not required.
August/September:
- Versant (English proficiency) Testing for international PhD/MFA students.
- All full-time enrolled TGS students may opt in each quarter to receive a CTA University Pass (U-Pass) transit card at a discounted rate through the quarterly TGS U-Pass Transit Card Fee. Please submit your Wildcard photo ID electronically before Friday, September 1 to ensure your U-Pass will be ready for your arrival. U-Passes are not active until the first day of classes for new students. TGS is finalizing the pick-up details for the Fall Quarter, please check the U-Pass webpage in mid-August for details.
September
Early September:
September 2: Deadline for official transcripts to be received, reviewed, and verified by The Graduate School.
September 12–13: The Office of International Student and Scholar Services’ (OISS) Graduate International Student Orientation (G-ISO)
September 13: In-person TGS Resource Fair from 1:00–3:00 PM at Norris Center
September 14:
- TGS students can begin to register for classes at 9:00 AM. Registration instructions can be found here.
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Fall Quarter Academic Kickoff from 9:00 AM–4:30 PM at Norris Center; this interactive day of informative sessions is designed to facilitate graduate student and postdoc transitions to teaching roles at Northwestern. It is held twice annually, every fall and spring.
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) Student Welcome Reception from 4:00–6:00 PM in Guild Lounge at Scott Hall.
September 15 (for Students Receiving a Stipend or Being Paid): Students need to enter their Direct Deposit details in myHR anytime between September 15-24.
September 19: Classes begin
September 25: The last day to add a class or change a section. (No reductions are made to bills for dropped or swapped classes after this date. Last day for full tuition refund.)
October
October 10: First invoice for the academic year is generated. You will receive an email to review your account and pay any balance due by November 1. Even if you are receiving a stipend and full tuition support, you still need to pay the quarterly TGS U-Pass Transit Card Fee if you opted in to receive a U-Pass.
October 27: The last day to drop a class. (No tuition adjustments can be made after September 25.)