Northwestern University
Northwestern University
633 Clark Street, Evanston, IL 60208
Northwestern University is a private university in IL, founded in 1851 and offers Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 8,194, and the graduate enrollment is 13,878. Northwestern University is a hyper-selective school, receiving 39,263 applications and accepting 9.3% of applicants. Additionally, Northwestern University’s athletics teams compete at the varsity level.
Empowerly Score®
96
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to Northwestern University will apply through the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge Application (if qualified). Applicants will be required to write one personal statement based on a set of prompts within the application and will also be required to answer specific questions pertaining to the university.
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Early Decision Application Deadline
November 1st
Regular Decision Application Deadline
January 3rd
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Very Important
- Standardized Test Scores - Very Important
- Extracurricular Activities - Important
- Character/Personal Qualities - Important
Average Acceptance Rate
9.30%
STUDENT LIFE
Northwestern University’s main campus is in Evanston, Illinois, 12 miles from downtown Chicago. The 231-acre Evanston campus is home to undergraduate schools and athletic, recreational, and other facilities that support undergraduate student life. These facilities include the 11th largest library at a private university, University Library, Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, and Dearborn Observatory. On a quarter-based academic calendar, student life on the Northwestern campus promises to be as diverse and dynamic as the school. Hence, new students are sure to find their niche, whether it’s the multiple NCAA national championship-winning teams, the hundreds of student organizations covering a variety of interests to keep students engaged, or the school’s long-standing traditions.
Housing
- 60% of students live on campus
- Guaranteed housing for freshmen
- Freshmen and sophomores required to live on campus
All first-year students must live on campus for the first two years. They can choose traditional residence halls or themed residential colleges for students with unique academic interests. For example, suppose a student is interested in Communications; in that case, they’ll find a home at East Fairchild. Or if their niche is Fine and Performing Arts, Jones Residential College will be an ideal environment. Meanwhile, traditional residence halls offer plenty of options, whether students want a residence with as few as 25 students or one with over 500. Whatever they choose, the close-knit community maintains the Northwestern spirit while having its character for the residents to relish—including planned events, outings around campus and Chicago, and more. Student housing is there to encourage students to socialize and succeed.
Life as a Student
Thanks to providing a balanced academic and extracurricular student life, Northwestern University prides itself on having an average freshman retention rate of 98%, with 86% completing all four years. In the classroom, students have the advantage of a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. Meanwhile, life outside class likewise fully supports their education by instilling a global perspective. The campus offers everything to inspire first-year students, including media (The Daily Northwestern, the university’s leading student newspaper since 1881), performing arts (The Student Theatre Coalition with nine student theater companies), and more than 500 student organizations (Multicultural Student Affairs, Northwestern Debate Society). Life as a Northwestern student is bound to bring out the best in students!
TOP MAJORS
Economics
Psychology
Journalism
Political Science and Government
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Biology
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
Student Services
- Health Center
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Wrestling
Basketball
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Volleyball
Cross-Country Running
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
Northwestern University’s admissions process is 100% need-blind for domestic applicants and Northwestern University meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ depending on your circumstances.
- Full-Time Tuition (On-Campus) - $60,276
- Fees - $492
- On-Campus Housing/Meals - $18,264
- Books and Supplies - $1,566
- Personal Expenses - $2,193
- Transportation - $993
- Loan Fees - $54
- Total Estimated Cost of Attendance (On-Campus) - $83,838
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
Northwestern University was founded in 1851 when the Illinois General Assembly granted its trustees the charter to establish a higher education institution to serve the Northwest Territories. This decision made Northwestern the first recognized university in Illinois. Although the school opened as the Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School, its Methodist founders were committed to maintaining non-sectarian admissions. Within the decade, the school grew from 25 students to about 70 as its curriculum embraced more subjects, including business and education, apart from its mainstay classical studies, like Latin. By the 1870s and 1880s, Northwestern became known for its professional schools of dentistry, medicine, and law in the Chicago area.
The school established its intercollegiate football team in 1882, becoming a Big Ten Conference founder later. In 1920, Northwestern University inaugurated its first non-Methodist University president, which brought massive changes to the university, including creating a campus for its professional schools in downtown Chicago. Through the first half of the 20th century, Northwestern continued to expand its campus in Evanston, Illinois, and opened new professional schools in downtown Chicago; for example, The School of Commerce in 1908, The Medill School of Journalism in 1921, and The School of Education in 1926. Like many other American universities, Northwestern was forced to adapt and grow during World War 2. One example was hosting approximately 50,000 military officers and personnel on its Evanston and Chicago campuses for training. As a result, post-war enrollment increased exponentially thanks to the G.I. Bill, which drove the dramatic expansion of both campuses.
Today, Northwestern University is ranked #9 in National Universities by U.S. News Best Colleges. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,194 and graduate enrollment of more than 10,000, the school’s 9.1% admissions rate is on par with Harvard and other selective schools. First-year students encounter classmates from all 50 states in all facets of athletics, academics, and campus life. The Northwestern Wildcats, also called “Chicago’s Big Ten Team,” is the school’s athletic team, representing the only private university in the conference since 1946. The school’s alumni and faculty include 22 Nobel Prize laureates, 1 Fields Medalist, and 42 Pulitzer Prize winners. Novelist George R. R. Martin, Chicago’s first black mayor Harold Washington, Mayo Clinic founder Charles Horace Mayo and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle are among its notable alumni.