Northwestern University is committed to excellent teaching, innovative research, and the personal and intellectual growth of its students in a diverse academic community.
Northwestern University (NU) is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational research university located in Evanston, Illinois and downtown Chicago. Northwestern's main campus is a 240-acre parcel in Evanston, along the shore of Lake Michigan. Several of Northwestern's professional schools are located in Chicago near the Magnificent Mile.
Founded in 1851 to serve the people of the Northwest Territory, a 379-acre tract of farmland along Lake Michigan 12 miles north of Chicago was chosen as the new Evanston campus. The town that grew up around Northwestern was named in honor of one of the university’s most prominent founders, John Evans.
Today the university is organized into eleven schools and colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The J. L. Kellogg School of Management and Medill School of Journalism are regularly recognized as being among the best schools in their respective fields of business and journalism. In 2006, student enrollments include approximately 8,000 undergraduate and 7,200 graduate students. Northwestern competes in the NCAA's Division I and is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference.
Founded in 1851 by Methodists from Chicago (including John Evans, after whom Evanston is named), who also founded the University of Denver, Northwestern opened in Evanston in 1855 with two faculty members and ten students. The school’s nine founders, all of whom were Methodists (three of them ministers), knelt in prayer and worship before launching their first organizational meeting. The University's name, Northwestern, came from its founders' desire to serve citizens of the states that occupied the area of the former Northwest Territory: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. The original Evanston campus in 1855 consisted of only one building, a temporary structure called "Old College." University Hall, the first permanent building, was constructed in 1869. Northwestern built a campus in Chicago for the schools of law, medicine, and business in the 1920s.
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| Percent of Students International: | 12% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 31% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | No |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Big Ten Conference) Basketball (Big Ten Conference) Baseball (Big Ten Conference) Track (Big Ten Conference) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 31,789 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 31,644 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 145 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 5,824 | 8% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 2,435 | 15% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 18,434 | 46% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 3,486 | 34% | |
Any Aid: |
64% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 30% (Most Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 84% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 650, Math: 670 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 740, Math: 760 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 52% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 29, Verbal: 29, Math: 28 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 33, Verbal: 34, Math: 33 |
| Application Fee: | $ 65.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Required |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Required |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice
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I have a 3.7 GPA. I was involved in National Honor Society. I am class president (my Junior year). I also took some classes at a community college. I am a certified Nursing Assistant and I am also a Phlebotomist. These two careers took about one year to complete at a community college. I am a airplane pilot. I am involved in track as well as football. I was accepted into a future physician/Surgeon program over the summer in which only 700 people get accepted to from 16 countries including the U.S. I scored a 27 on my ACT. I am going to have recommendation letters from 2 physicians, 1 surgeon,1 eye Dr. and 3 teachers.
14 months ago
Best Answer
Certainly quite strong. The ACT score is below average for NU admission, but you show a great deal of interest in your field.
However, you should also look at University of Chicago, which is pretty much the same in terms of academics. Based on my understanding, Northwestern places a large amount on emphasis on test scores/grades, as well as leadership recognition, while U of C strongly considers extracurriculars that show an interest in one's field in addition to grades, etc. Many people get accepted into one and not the other. You seem to have a fair shot at both though. The recommendations should help a lot.
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Question:
Northwestern University???
well i need some advice i wanted to attend northwestern this coming year but i didnt even bother applying to the school because i knew for a fact i would not be accepted at all. i wasted my whole high school career in having "fun" and now i regret it completely. i graduated this year and i already started going to northeastern university im taking summer classes currently to raise my GPA. do you think its possible within a year that i can transfer to Northwestern if i show a DRASTIC improvement and i know the schools curriculum is hard but i know im very intelligent (not trying to be conceited).and have the capability to do it i just need to know if i stand a chance being accepted because i plan to go to medical school and Northwestern is perfect for it.
16 months ago
Best Answer
unfortunately, transferring into a school like northwestern is incredibly difficult. 1,039 transfer students applied last year, and only 238 were admitted. that's just under a 23 percent acceptance rate. it's "doable", but will be really hard if you don't have a huge hook (something that makes you stand out). i say go for it. it never hurts to try something. just don't be disappointed if it doesn't work out.
and just so you know, a lot of colleges are great for pre-med students. try going to a bookstore and leafing through "colleges that change lives" by loren pope. there are many great little gems of schools which have amazing acceptance rates for med school. good luck!
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Question:
is it hard to get into the new york university and to get into the northwestern university too?
I have a GPA of 3.50 do you think I qualify for one of them?
17 months ago
Best Answer
Yes, especially Northwestern. Here is there admissions profile (you want to fall into these ranges to have a shot, and be over them to have a really good chance):
Freshmen Academic Profile
SAT - Crtiical Reading Middle 50%:650-740
SAT - Math Middle 50%:670-760
TPR Projected Range SAT Writing:690-750
Average Verbal SAT:691
Average Math SAT:710
ACT Composite Midldle 50%:29-33
Students in top 10% of HS class:83%
Students in top 50% of HS class:100%
Students from Public School:73%
Here is the profile for NYU:
Freshmen Academic Profile
SAT - Crtiical Reading Middle 50%:600-700
SAT - Math Middle 50%:610-710
TPR Projected Range SAT Writing:660-730
Average Verbal SAT:639
Average Math SAT:667
ACT Composite Midldle 50%:27-31
Average High School GPA:3.60
Students in top 10% of HS class:67%
Students in top 50% of HS class:100%
Students from Public School:68%
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I live in Chicago and I'm Asian, which my parents are too overprotective about me going out of state college. However my ACT is not so hot, but I'm going to retake it. I wanted to and still do want to attend Northwestern university. i need answers on what should i do from here. i got at least 6 months till i have to deicde where I'm going apply and where to attend.
17 months ago
Best Answer
Northwestern requires decent ACT scores. I would apply to both, and pick some other colleges that you're interested in too. Pick some near your parents and some out of state. See where you're accepted before you worry about whether your parents will let you go out of state. Your problem might be removed simply by where you get in. And on the side of staying near home, you can still live in the dorms if you go to school nearby, allowing you independence but still allowing you to go home easily when you need to get out of the dorms for a while (it'll happen, trust me). You'll also be able to be home for holidays, etc. when you might not be able to when you're across the country. Being near home isn't horrible, but I understand why you'd want to leave too. Just worry about it after you know where you CAN go.
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Question:
3.0 GPA with Northwestern...?
I have a friend who told me that it is possible to go to Northwestern University in Illinois. He proved that his counceler and his teacher told him that it is possible to attend Northwestern University with 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA in high school.
I dont think it is true but he was confident about that. He also said it is expensive to attend there. Do you know how much is that for a year?
I believe the student needs to get at least 3.5 or more GPA with high score in ACT with some outside activities. And I am pretty sure that Northwestern does not accept only (around) 3.0 GPA
Please let me know what you think!
Thank you for reading this!
17 months ago
Best Answer
Well, anything is possible.
Northwestern does not have minimum GPA requirements, however, they do look at class rank, ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject test scores too. If you got a perfect score on the SAT, then you might get in.
According to Northwestern's website (links below), the middle 50% of the Freshman class had ACT scores around 29-33, and the mean class rank was the 94 percentile. If your friend has a 3.0 GPA, but 90 percentile and a 35 on the ACT...
Of course, there are always Big Ten Athletic scholarships available. If your friend is a left-handed pitcher with an ERA under 2, or a linebacker averaging 20+ sacks a season, then anything is possible.
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A. I'm going into the IB (http://www.ibo.org) program .
B. Also I want to go to Northwestern's Journalism program (Medill) or Columbia. Something along those lines.
C. I plan on taking the newspaper course at my high school for the last two years. I'm taking photography and I'm taking all my required english classes.
D. So far I have a 3.95 CGPA and I take ALLLLLL honors classes.
E. I'm two math classes ahead for my grade level and I get high As and have only gotten one A- so far (this was in science... which I obiously won't need.)
F. I run cross country, and I plan on doing track.
G. I find time to volunteer as much as possible.
But in todays field of competitive colleges is this really enough?
I'm taking an AP class next year that usually wouldnt be available to me till 11th grade. (next year I'll be in 10th)
and a couple other AP classes
Also, I have about 3 years of experiance on a local newspaper for kinda (all of southern arizona).
I've interview May May Ali (Muhammad Ali's oldest daughter.) Also, I've written for a school newspaper.
18 months ago
Best Answer
You're doing great. Stick with all those activities, maybe volunteer a little, take some AP classes next year, and write a kick-ass essay for admission. Look:
GREET.
*G*rades- get good grades and take honors and AP classes, if you can handle them.
*R*ecommendations- ask teachers that like you to give you letters for your applications. Give them as much information as possible about you that makes you stand out from a crowd. If they have any anecdotes about your good qualities ask them to include them.
*E*xtra-Curricular Activities- If you play sports, do volunteer work, participate in any organizations or clubs, let them know. Defintiely get involved. Be consistent and stick with a small number (1-10) of activities. Choose your favorite couple and take leadership positions. Be the secretary of a club, join the band at church, keep track of your volunteer hours, etc.
*E*ssay- Write a kick-*** essay for your application. Really work on it. This is your opportunity to let admissions officers know who you are, what makes you different, and how you did or did not benefit from your life experiences. This is where you explain a semester that you got bad grades or why you chose to quit a sport after your sophomore year. This is where you tell them how you stick out in their applicant pool. The topics are usually general, so if you write 2-3 essays the summer before your senior year (find the prompts online), all you'll really have to do when application time rolls around is tailor each essay a little bit. This is super important.
*T*est Scores- study well for SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP, IB, whatever exams. Get a good night sleep beforehand, bring extra pencils, a jacket, fuzzy socks, whatever. Do what you need to do to perform well on standardized tests.
Grades and Test Scores are the main criteria for most colleges. This is usually how they'll decide to admit you or not. Everything else is a "tipping factor". If the admissions officer is trying to decide whether to admit you or somebody else with the same GPA and Test Scores, that's where your essay, extra-curriculars, and recommendations really come into play.
Find a major that you you want to pursue, find colleges that offer that major that fit your criteria (location, size, student body characteristics, etc.) and apply to these schools. Categorize them as follows.
"Really Sure" = "I can get into this school no problem".
"Range" = "My info matches the average statistics at this school, so I should get in"
"Reach" = "I'm on the low end of this school's statistics, but I think that I might be able to get in if I work really hard on my essay"
Good luck! E-mail me if you need help!
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I need help on choosing a university, I can't decide where to go I already took a tour for Loyola, but I'm still researching on other schools before making my final decision. I want to make the right choice where employment wise is going to pay off. Anyone thats graduated and had a good experience?
19 months ago
Best Answer
Northwestern by a long shot, though I've never gone to either. But by reputation, Depaul isn't nearly as prestigious as Northwestern.
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I'm a freshman at high school in Illinois. I am Japanese and I've been living in the US for almost 3 years so far.
When I came here from Japan, I did not know English at all. I went to junior high school for 2 years and I was in ESL program and I had regular classes like science, social studies, and other electives. Also I got all A's in those 2 years.
Now in high school, this is my last year of ESL program which means I am going to have a regular English next year and of course, other regular classes. I got a pre-schedule from my teachers and I take honors and AP classes next year. and my grades are really good now. I am currently doing varsity tennis, winter track, and manager for girl's tennis. Next year, I am doing peer mediator program since I was nominated.
I am deciding if I could attend to a good college like Northwestern. But this is my freshman year and enjoying high school,and I dont know what score I will get for SAT and ACT.
Please help me what I should for next 3 year!
I wanted to get more advice so I posted this twice.
Thank you for reading this question!
19 months ago
Best Answer
Sounds to me like you are on the right track towards a successful future!
Just keep doing what you're doing and you should be well prepared for the ACT and SAT exams.
I was accepted into Northwestern and many other selective schools, but in the end I chose to go to the University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign). I scored a 30 on my ACT and had a 3.8 GPA in high school with all honors and AP classes, extracurricular activities, and some volunteer work.
Keep up the good work and you'll succeed!
:)
Also, since you are Japanese...you are at a slight advantage when trying to get into a school because you are a minority. In addition, you are bilingual which is also a great benefit to have!!
Best wishes to a wonderful future!
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Hello. I'm a freshman at high school in Illinois. I am Japanese and I've been living in the US for almost 3 years so far.
When I came here from Japan, I did not know English at all. I went to junior high school for 2 years and I was in ESL program and I had regular classes like science, social studies, and other electives. Also I got all A's in those 2 years.
Now in high school, this is my last year of ESL program which means I am going to have a regular English next year and of course, other regular classes. I got a pre-schedule from my teachers and I take honors and AP classes next year. and my grades are really good now. I am currently doing varsity tennis for 2nd single, winter track, and manager for girl's tennis. Next year, I am doing peer mediator program since I was nominated.
I am deciding if I could attend to a good college like Northwestern. But this is my freshman year and I dont know what score I will get for SAT and ACT.
Please help me what I should do for next 3 years!
19 months ago
Best Answer
Wow! I commend you for all you've accomplished in since moving to the United States.
I am going to be a freshman at Northwestern this fall, and I can tell you that it helps to be dedicated to one or two activities throughout high school, as well as to have challenging courses and good grades.
One of my friends is also attending Northwestern next year, and like you, English was not her first language. She moved to the US from Albania in the 3rd grade, and had to start fresh. She is now the valedictorian of our high school . . . She was accepted at Northwestern even though she didn't have the highest ACT scores. Colleges give students like you (English as a second language) a break when it comes to standardized testing, since you aren't expected to have as thorough knoweldge of English grammar as someone who has known English for their entire life.
For the next three years, take challenging courses and try to get A's and B's. Take the ACT and SAT each several times, starting September in your junior year, to ensure you get the best possible score you can. Also, take the PSAT and the SAT Subjects Tests in your junior year.
When you take AP courses, at the end of the year make sure to take the AP tests as well - you may get college credit, and it looks impressive just to take the test(s).
Right now, choose two or three activities and pursue them for all 4 years of high school. If possible, try to obtain leadership roles in those hobbies. Make sure to do volunteer work in your spare time (church, Special Olympics, etc), and work on your writing skills, because college application essays will be very important. Maintain good relationships with your teachers, because when you apply to college you will have to choose 2-3 to write recommendations for you. Also have a good relationship with your counselor, because they will need to write you a recommendation as well.
And of course, stay in touch with the Japanese language and your heritage - colleges will love that.
Good luck in your high school career - you sound like someone who is very motivated, and I am sure Northwestern and a good many other collegs would be glad to have you when you eventually apply. =)
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I am a hs junior, and I'm seriously considering journalism as my major in college- Northwestern's program is probably my favorite. I am well aware of their reputation, but I was wondering how difficult their admissions would be? Impossible? -weak laugh-
I've also been looking at Missouri-Columbia, and USC. both excellent programs but if I decide journalism/comm isn't my thing, I would really like to fall back on a school that has other strong programs as well. Any other schools you could suggest would be very appreciated!
to paint a better picture, GPA 4.2 ACT 32, but my school requires to take the ACT in april so I guess i'm taking it again. I have also started an online literary paper with my friend, not school related but it has really been the most stressful and eye-opening experience of my young life. I also participate in cross country, choir, and theater. It sounds like i'm okay, but Northwestern is selective- i'm from the chicago suburbs, I know how it goes :-)
19 months ago
Best Answer
Due to about a 20% increase in applicants this year, NU's overall acceptance rate dropped from low 30's to 24.9% in the Regual Decision admissions. Next year as you're applying to colleges, if you are absolutely sure that Northwestern is your first choice, you may want to apply Early Decision, which has a slightly higher admit rate. The only caveat is that if you are accepted ED, you must attend Northwestern and withdraw all of your other college applications. The ED acceptance rate this year was mid 30%, and I applied and was accepted.
Although NU doesn't publish acceptance statistics for Medill, it is rumored to be around 10-11%.
I think you have a wonderfully diverse high school background, which is something NU would find appealing in an applicant. (As for me, my ACT score was a 31, I am the Editor of my high school paper, and I've been very involved in band for all of high school.) Also note that college essays and teacher recommendations are very important components of your application - I'd recommend getting a head start on your essays over the summer, as they're what separate you from everyone else.
Mizzou and USC are excellent Journalism/Communication schools, from what I've gatherd from the research I've done. You may also want to consider Syracuse (in NY), UIUC, and University of Wisconsin - Madison (all ranked as top 10 j-schools in the US). NYU is also a great school with a journalism program, and many, many other strong programs as well. And if you need a safety school, I'd recommend Illinois State - it has a reputable journalism program, among other things.
Good luck in your decision! The college selection process can be tiring, but the reward is completely worth it. =)
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im a freshman in hs and i play field hockey. ive already played in the jr. olympics 2 years in a row, and have recieved letters 'of interest' from a few colleges: northwestern, northeastern, and wake forest (to name a few). i also already have an idea of what i want to major in: sports medicine...preferably physical therapy. does anyone have any ideas on schools that have good FH programs as well as a good medical field? do you thinks its too soon for me to be thinking about this stuff already??
20 months ago
Best Answer
Northwestern has one of the finest physical therapy programs in the country....the main campus in Evanston is beautiful and historic and the PT school is in downtown Chicago, right off the mag mile...
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Question:
I want to go to Northwestern University?
I want to go to Northwestern University and major in journalism. I also want to play basketball, but I'm not sure I can pay the high yearly tuition. I know NU won't come looking for me down in Atlanta, because of my average GPA (3.2) and my SAT scores (1450). I'm taking the SAT again and I hope to improve my score. I wanted to know would NU accept a basketball player coming from a junior college?
A little more about me
*11th grader
*1450 SAT score, I haven't taken the ACT
*In Who's Who's Among High School Students and two other academic yearbooks
*GPA is 3.3 (last time I checked)
*I want to major in Journalism with a minor in Communications
22 months ago
Best Answer
If you're really good at basketball, NU is an NCAA school so they have scholarships for it.
Academically, I don't think you'd get into NU (I assume your SAT is the new SAT) although you're out of the ballpark either. Combine your academics with some basketball skills and talent, and you might get in.
Unfortunately, you might have to change your major. NU has one of the best journalism schools in America and they have pretty high standards.
NCAA schools and thus, NU, do accept basketball players from junior colleges. Some colleges actually rely a good deal on junior colleges but others almost exclusively try to recruit freshmen.
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i'm really interested in NU, especially the Medill school of journalism, but I'm not sure if i should go there. I've heard that the party scene is weak, and people don't really have a social life.
What percentage of their graduates get a job after college?
23 months ago
Best Answer
Northwestern is an excellent school. You should read up on it in the Fiske Guide to Colleges, whatever the latest edition is. You can find it at the library. Go to Northwestern's website to learn the statistics about graduates getting a job, etc. My guess is that the academics are top-notch and that the "social" and "quality of life" rankings are "average." I'm sure there are plenty of parties and nice people. I think you should pick your college primarily on the academics particularly as it relates to you major and interests. Of course, if you can't abide cold weather/snow, then Northwestern wouldn't be for you.
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I have a GED and I am attending a community college
29 months ago
Best Answer
I think you can apply and get in. It depends on your major. You're best off if you want to get into a program that isn't one of the most popular.
You can get in as a student-at-large, do well for a semester and then since you've proven yourself, get officially into your program.
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