Thank you for your interest in visiting our beautiful, tree-lined campus on the shore of Lake Michigan and just north of Chicago.
One of the great values of a Northwestern experience is connections: one’s ability to connect with different people, ideas, and disciplines in an inclusive and collaborative community.
Both guided and self-guided options are available.
All of our guided tours employ a “choose your own adventure” format where visitors select a tour guide who shares a common interest or point of connection. Registration is required.
Choose from one of the following tour options:
Following each general tour, you'll have the option to learn more about Northwestern’s holistic admission review process and our affordability commitments, This session provides an overview of the application and financial aid processes and answers questions about Northwestern and the college search. For additional guidance about admission and affordability, we encourage you to explore our website and YouTube channel, or connect directly with admission staff.
If you are unable to join us for a guided campus tour, or you are interested in exploring campus on your own, we encourage you to follow our self-guided tour. The self-guided tour includes a robust guide to campus buildings and academic information, an extended tour route just like our student guides would provide, and stories from over 20 Northwestern students!
Visitors can head over to the Segal Visitors Center vestibule, open 24 hours a day, to register for a self-guided visit and download a copy of the tour. In addition, during normal business hours, admissions officers and current students are available in the main lobby of the Visitors Center to assist you at the front desk and answer any questions.
While you are on campus, get to know our academic community. Representatives from Northwestern’s six distinct undergraduate schools host information sessions for prospective students, which help you to learn more about the school’s areas of expertise.
Availability of sessions varies seasonally; please check the registration calendar to confirm current schedules. Advance registration is required for school-specific programs. Note: school-specific sessions do not include a campus tour.
Online versions of these program can also be found on our Online Undergraduate School Information calendar.
Offered select Mondays and Fridays as well as select Thursdays at 11:45 a.m.
Located in the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts 2nd floor: 70 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston, IL 60208 (5-minute walk from the Segal Visitors Center)
Note: This session is intended for prospective music majors.
Offered select Fridays at 3:30 p.m.
Located in Louis Hall 119: 10 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston, IL 60208 (5-minute walk from the Segal Visitors Center)
Offered most Mondays and Fridays at 12 p.m. (Check in at least 15 minutes before your session!)
Located in Annenberg Hall 123: 2120 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208 (15-minute walk from the Segal Visitors Center)
Summer information sessions will be held online.
Current offerings can be found on our Online Undergraduate School Information Sessions page.
Offered most Fridays at 3:30 p.m.
Located in Fisk Hall room 115: 1845 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208 (1-minute walk from the Segal Visitors Center)
Summer information sessions will be held online.
Current offerings can be found on our Online Undergraduate School Information Sessions page.
If you are not able to register for an event and would like to visit Northwestern another time, you’re welcome to do! There are lots of ways to engage and connect with Northwestern, including online events and campus tours. Please sign up for our mailing list here and contact ug-admission@northwestern.edu with any questions. If you wish to connect with alumni and students to hear their perspectives, you can meet our Wildcat Ambassadors.
Experience life as a Northwestern student.
You will be paired with a current undergraduate student host, and together, you’ll spend the morning attending class, exploring campus, and learning more about daily student life. This program is geared toward high school seniors, but also open to interested juniors.
To ensure that we can match you with a host, you must register for a Purple Preview experience at least one week prior to your visit.
Purple Preview has paused for Summer 2025. Registration for Fall 2025 will open in September.
Our general campus tours (both guided and self-guided) provide a thorough introduction to campus facilities, academic opportunities, and student life. For a deeper look at Northwestern’s history and communities, continue to explore campus on your own with the help of the following audio tours.
High schools and community based organizations who wish to bring a group of 10 or more high school students to campus can attend a large group campus visit. Based on your group’s schedule and interests, you can take a student-led or self-guided campus tour and connect with current students and admission staff to learn more about Northwestern. Groups with 10 or fewer guests should register all participants individually for campus tours and related programming.
