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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

*Visit the Undergraduate Financial Aid page for more information regarding 2024–25 deadlines.

Details on these Deadlines

Application Materials

Required items vary by applicant type.

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Required for Questbridge Applicants

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)
  • 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
  • Non-refundable $75 application fee or fee waiver

Optional and Program-Specific

First-Year and Transfer Applicants

More About These Elements

Identities and Affiliations

Additional guidance based on your background(s).

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Transfer Students

Students applying to transfer from a 2- or 4-year post-secondary institution

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FGLI Applicants

Students who identify as first-generation college-going and/or low-income

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