Northwestern observes a winter recess from December 24 through January 1.
The Segal Visitors Center will be closed from Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1. Campus tours resume on Thursday, January 2 for registered guests.
During the holiday break, visitors may still come to campus to take a self-guided campus tour, available below.
Give us an hour, or give us a day.
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. We encourage you to review our on-campus programming options below and then click the “Register for a campus visit” button to tailor your experience in a way that most interests you.
Take a Tour
Guided Campus Visit
Personalize your visit with a “choose your own adventure” format where visitors select a tour guide who shares a common interest or point of connection during a 75-minute walking tour of our lakefront campus.
Additionally, you'll have the option to join an admission staff member to learn more about Northwestern’s holistic admission review process and our affordability commitments (weekdays only). This 30-minute session starts with a brief overview of the application and financial aid processes, before inviting your 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.
Registration is required for guided campus tours. To register, click on the button below.
Self-guided campus tour
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.
Join an Academic Overview
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.
Bienen School of Music
Offered select Mondays and Fridays 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.
School of Education and Social Policy
Offered most Mondays and Fridays at 12 p.m., as well as most weekdays at 3:30 p.m.
Located in Annenberg Hall 123: 2120 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
15-minute walk from the Segal Visitors Center, check in at least 15 minutes before your session!
McCormick School of Engineering
Offered most Mondays and Fridays at 4:00 p.m.
Located in the Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center 2-350 (The Hive): 2133 Sheridan Rd., Evanston IL 60208. Enter through the main doors on Sheridan Rd. and take the stairs or elevator up two floors to find room 2-350.
15-minute walk from the Segal Visitors Center, check in at least 15 minutes before your session!
Guests attending the McCormick session who wish to park closer to the Ford Design Center may utilize the North Campus Parking Garage: 2311 North Campus Drive., Evanston IL 60208. Enter on the north side of the garage, accessible from Lincoln St. Click here to access a parking map. Please note that the Office of Admission is unable to validate parking from the North Campus garage.
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Offered select Mondays at 4 p.m.
Located in Segal Visitors Center auditorium
Attend Affinity-Based Programming
Why Northwestern: Student Experiences Through a Multicultural Lens
As part of our ongoing commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, Northwestern invites prospective students to spend a day on campus, exploring what it means to be a Northwestern undergraduate through a multicultural lens.
We’ll kick off the day with breakfast, receive insights into the admission and financial aid process, and engage in small group discussions with current students about their
Northwestern experiences. You’ll end the day with lunch and a campus tour, leaving you with a deeper understanding of life at Northwestern.
Program Dates and Registration
This year's Why Northwestern was held in October 2024.
Exploring Northwestern: a Program for First-generation Students and their Families
As part of our ongoing commitment to those who will be the first in their family to graduate from college, Northwestern invites first-generation students and their families to spend a day and explore our collaborative campus community—from the perspective of a first-generation college student.
At Exploring Northwestern, a panel of current first-generation college students talk candidly about their Northwestern experience, answer students’ questions about how they navigated the admissions process, and share how they adjusted to campus and student life. Attendees will also receive an overview of our admission and financial aid process, attend a essay writing workshop, enjoy lunch on campus, and go on a campus tour. Please note: while we cannot offer travel assistance, lunch will be provided.
Program Dates and Registration
This year's Exploring Northwestern was held in October 2024.
Small Town and Rural Teen University Prep Innovation Intensive
In partnership with the Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network, Northwestern’s Office of Undergraduate Admission is excited to team up with The Garage to launch the Small Town and Rural Teen University Prep Innovation Intensive, or START-UP.
Participants will explore cutting-edge technologies and strategies for building a business or product while experiencing the best of Evanston and our neighboring hub of Chicago. Simultaneously, students will be given deep-dive courses on the college application and financial aid processes at Northwestern.
Program Dates and Registration
This year's START-UP program was held in June 2024.
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 current students to hear their perspectives, you can contact our student teams here.Explore History, Culture and Community
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.
Ask Questions
Purple Preview
If you are eager to experience life as a Northwestern student, join us for a Purple Preview visit. This program is geared toward high school seniors, but also open to interested juniors. 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.
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. Click the button below to view available dates and register.
Visit with a Group
Large Group Visits
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.Register for a large group visit
