Apply

The first step in your Northwestern Direction is learning how to apply.

Application Deadlines

Track key dates for your application type.

Your deadlines will vary depending on your application round at Northwestern: QuestBridge, Early Decision, Regular Decision, or Transfer.

Application deadlines
	QuestBridge Applicant	Early Decision First-Year Applicant	Regular Decision First-Year Applicant	Early Decision Transfer Applicant	Regular Decision Transfer Applicant
Application Due Date	September 30, 2025	November 1, 2025	January 2, 2026	March 2, 2026*	April 1, 2026*
Financial Aid Due Date	September 30, 2025	December 1, 2025	February 1, 2026	March 2, 2026	April 1, 2026
Decision Release	December 2025	December 2025	March 2026	Early April 2026	Mid- to late-May 2026

*Note: The priority deadline for all Bienen School of Music transfer applicants is January 15, 2026. For more information about important dates, including audition schedules, please see Bienen's Undergraduate Application Timeline.

Details on these Deadlines

Application Materials

Required items vary by applicant type.

Required for Questbridge Applicants

See QuestBridge page

Required for First Year, Early Decision, Regular Decision

Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir*
Northwestern supplement (with additional writing supplements)
Official secondary school transcript(s) from all schools attended and school report from most recently attended school
Counselor recommendation
At least one teacher recommendation
Early Decision Agreement (for Early Decision applicants)
Official proof of English language proficiency (for applicants whose first/primary language is not English or whose secondary schooling has not been in English)
- Accepted English proficiency exams:
  - Duolingo English Test (DET)
  - IELTS, including IELTS Indicator
  - TOEFL iBT, including TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition but not TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution
Non-refundable $75 application fee or fee waiver

Required for Transfer Students

Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (including Northwestern supplement)
Official university transcript(s) from all universities attended, must demonstrate at least one year of full-time undergraduate study
Official secondary school transcript(s) from all schools attended and final transcript noting graduation
College report
Academic evaluation
Transfer Early Decision Agreement (for Early Decision applicants)
Non-refundable $75 application fee or fee waiver

Optional and Program-Specific

First-Year and Transfer Applicants

SAT and/or ACT scores
Program-specific applications/materials for applicants to:
- Bienen School of Music
- Integrated Science Program (ISP)
- Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences (MMSS)
- School of Communication Musical Theatre Certificate Program

More About These Elements