Class of ’25 Parents/Guardians Follow-up FAQs

The University is actively planning for fall with the aim of having as many in-person classes, co-curricular opportunities and social experiences as possible as local and national guidance evolves and pandemic restrictions begin to loosen. Our Residential Services office is moving forward with on-campus housing assignments for fall, and plans are underway for new-student traditions like March Through the Arch and the trip to Six Flags Amusement Park.

Northwestern’s onsite vaccine clinic will begin phasing in students next week. The University is working to offer vaccinations to all students before the end of the Spring Term, but that goal will be dependent on whether Northwestern receives the necessary vaccine supply from health authorities.

COVID-specific announcements and guidelines can be found on our dedicated website for campus updates, with topics that include:

• Campus health overview  
• Campus announcements  
• COVID testing and vaccination  
• Community guidelines and expectations  
• Campus return plan and travel guidelines  

Additional questions can be directed to nu-covid@northwestern.edu or 847-467-4111.

You are welcome to visit campus, although given ongoing health and safety measures, we are not holding any in-person events or meetings for admitted students this spring. We’ve compiled some resources for those who choose to visit on the admitted student website. You’ll find a robust self-guided tour, along with suggestions for how to navigate and enjoy the area. You’ll also find links to state, local, and campus health and safety policies, which we ask you to follow while visiting. We recommend this YouTube playlist of favorite spots that a number of our current undergrads created for the Class of 2025. And we’d encourage you to schedule a conversation with a current student in advance of your visit—they can offer suggestions for how best to spend your day.

As you walk around campus, we’re sure you’ll get a keen impression for the warm, inclusive, and intellectually generous culture of this place, even as much of campus is still operating remotely. A majority of students are living on campus while pursuing mostly remote coursework. It’s important to note that the University is planning for a return to in-person activities this fall. But for now we are staying the course with precautions on campus, as they have thus far proved effective in keeping cases extremely low within our community.

New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) offers the most current information related to plans for orientation, move-in, and transitions to campus. NSFP also maintains a website, Purple Prep, that provides more resources related to transitioning to campus.

We recognize that community, broadly defined, is an important consideration when choosing a college. Northwestern wants to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging on campus, and have access to the support and resources they need to thrive. Below, you can find more information about developments in various aspects of the Northwestern community that might be of interest. You can also find links to a range of support and resource offices on our admitted student website.

Campus Life
Northwestern’s Office of Campus Life, a part of the Student Affairs office, works with students to support engagement in various campus activities and organizations. The latest information from Student Affairs can be found on their News and Events page.

Mental Wellness
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) works with students to promote and maintain student mental health. An overview of services can be found on the website of CAPS, including resources specific to COVID-19, incidents of racism, and parents of Northwestern students.

Social Justice
Northwestern has created a dedicated website to update our campus on developments related to social justice, equity, and inclusion efforts, including the announcement of Robin R. Means Coleman being named as the university’s Chief Diversity Officer. The website also contains ways for interested students to get involved in ongoing campus efforts.

One of Northwestern’s strengths is the ability for students to tailor academic programs to their own interests in a highly interdisciplinary and deeply collaborative intellectual settling. From the quarter system to double majors and the ability to enroll in courses across schools as a non-major, Northwestern not only promotes flexibility, but allows students multiple routes to explore their intellectual passions. Of course, our professors also play an important role in supporting students’ academic journeys—this student blog post offers a nice window into those faculty relationships.

Northwestern makes a significant commitment to supporting undergraduate research, including over $3.5 million annually in funded opportunities. The Office of Undergraduate Research creates a culture of exploration through research and offers resources for students ranging from tips on getting started to staff support and funding opportunities. The website also contains information about the process for identifying potential faculty partners and suggestions on how to reach out to them.

A broad overview of next steps for admitted international students can be found on the International Student Resources page of our admitted student website, with more specific information available from the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS). The Office of International Student and Scholar Services is the main source for support and advising services to international students.

An overview of how to review a financial aid award can be found on our admitted student website, including an interactive presentation. Specific questions about an individual award can be addressed directly to Undergraduate Financial Aid via email or phone (847-491-7400).

Information related to Fall 2021 housing can be found on the Residential Services website, along with housing options, the assignment process, and important dates. Information about meal plans, including resources for dietary restrictions and allergy management can be found on the Northwestern Dining website.

Our admitted student website contains information and opportunities for admitted students, along with a range of resources and FAQs for admitted students and their families.