Northwestern University(NWU) Acceptance Rate  | Admission Requirements

Admission to Northwestern University is very competitive. As a prospective student of the school, you need to be aware of the school’s tuition, graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, and the northwestern acceptance rate.

One of the reasons why the University of Northwestern is listed among the top institutions in the world is the prominent alumni base. The school has produced Nobel Prize winners, governors, ambassadors, judges, admirals, CEOs, physicians, and attorneys, as well as professional sports figures playing in the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, the PGA and LPGA.

If you want to know more about this institution, this is the right article for you, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and read through this post.

A Brief History Of Northwestern University

Northwestern University was established in 1853. The school came to be through a combination of creative financing, shrewd politicking, religious inspiration and an abundance of hard work, the founders of Northwestern University were able to make that dream a reality.

Apparently, the founders purchased a 379-acre tract of land on the shore of Lake Michigan 12 miles north of Chicago. They established a campus and developed the land near it, naming the surrounding town Evanston in honor of one of the University’s founders, John Evans.

After completing its first building in 1855, Northwestern began classes that fall with two faculty members and 10 students. Twenty-one presidents have presided over Northwestern in the years since inception. The University has grown to include 12 schools and colleges, with additional campuses in Chicago and Doha, Qatar.

School Program

Northwestern University has nineteen(19) colleges and schools. Nine(9) offer undergraduate programs while ten(10) offer graduate and professional programs. These programs that offer major certifications include;

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

The Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest school at Northwestern. Undergraduate and graduate students study a liberal arts curriculum that encompasses the natural sciences and mathematics, the social sciences, the humanities, fine arts, and interdisciplinary areas of study.

School of Communication

The School of Communication deals with every aspect of communication and its role in human interaction and culture through majors that include communication studies, theater, performance studies and more.

School of Education & Social Policy

The School of Education and Social Policy prepares students to shape and improve their communities. It offers four courses of study: human development and psychological services, learning and organizational change, secondary teaching, and social policy.

McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science

Northwestern has reshaped engineering education through a curriculum that focuses on creativity, teamwork, and innovative design.

Medill School of Journalism

As a recognized leader in educating journalists and communicators, Medill teaches its students techniques specific to news and information industries: magazine, newspaper/online, broadcast, or marketing communications. A certificate in integrated marketing communications is also available.

The Graduate School

The Graduate School collaborates with the schools of Arts and Sciences, Communication, Continuing Studies, Education and Social Policy, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, and Music to offer the masters and doctoral degrees in more than 70 disciplines.

Bienen School of Music

With one-on-one training with faculty, performance opportunities, and masterclasses from celebrated artists, the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music is a nationally ranked music program of conservatory-level intensity.

School of Professional Studies

Adult learners choose the School of Professional Studies for exceptional part-time learning experiences focused on career change and advancement. SPS offers a master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and certificate programs. Classes are taught by some of the University’s most respected and talented teachers.

Feinberg School of Medicine

Located in the heart of Chicago, the Feinberg School of Medicine is among the nation’s highest-ranked research medical schools. It educates the next generation of physicians through a full-time MD program, multiple joint degree programs, graduate medical education, and continuing medical education options.

Northwestern in Qatar

Northwestern’s first international campus in Doha offers students the opportunity to study media and earn a bachelor of science in journalism or communication.

Why Study At Northwestern University?

Northwestern University has all it takes to shape the future of higher education. Here are some of the amazing reasons why you should consider the school as your preferred choice.

  • NWU is among the top 25 Universities in the US. Journalism, and Performance Arts, for example, are highly respected.
  • Northwestern is recognized around the world for its extraordinary and innovative research and other educational programs. Proximity to Chicago.
  • The school environment is unique; Evanston is a beautiful, more left-leaning suburb. Also, it is one that unites knowledge, and ideas, ambition, and imagination, hard work, and joy. 

Other benefits include;

  • Career growth and opportunity
  • Comprehensive healthcare plans
  • An excellent matched retirement plan
  • Employee reduced tuition
  • Dependent care match
  • NU Wellness Program
  • Employee Discount Program

Check out 25 online schools with high graduation rates

What Is Northwestern University Acceptance Rate?

The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Northwestern College was 3.53 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school acceptance rate is 10.7%.

What is the Northwestern Transfer Acceptance Rate?

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to be eligible to apply as a transfer student, the mean college cumulative grade point average of admitted transfer students is approximately 3.7 on a 4 point scale.

However, successful transfer applicants typically arrive at Northwestern having completed at least one academic year of full-time college coursework (24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours).

What are the requirements for SAT?

Northwestern University typically requires applicants to be in the top 3 percent of SAT test-takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1430 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach.

Based on estimation, some students could be accepted with SAT’s as low as 1370. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshmen is 1490 out of 1600. 45 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

What are Northwestern ACT Requirements?

The admission data shows that Northwestern usually accepts students with an ACT rate of 33 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 2 percent nationally. Based on estimation, the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 32 in some instances.

Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 34 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants – and students with a 35 and above have very competitive chances. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 65 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Northwestern University.

You can also apply for the latest scholarships for US students

Northwestern University Ranking

Actually, when it comes to school ranking, there are many things to consider especially before the ranking is made official. For the Northwestern University Ranking, the ranking criteria usually include the tuition, acceptance and graduation rates, student to faculty ratios and many other related factors.

  • The school ranks #2 in Illinois for the highest average SAT composite score.
  • High school ranking shows that 91% of Northwestern University freshmen were in the top twenty-five percent of their high school graduating class.
  • Northwestern ranks #2 in Illinois for the highest average ACT composite score.
  • Ranks #14 among top worldwide universities granted US utility patents.
  • Ranked #11 Engineering School in the USA.
  • Northwestern University as a whole ranks 37 in the US and 43 in the world.

What Are The Admission Requirements At Northwestern University?

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to enroll at Northwestern University.

  • An essay or Personal Statement
  • Transcript of High School records  
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • English proficiency test scores
  • Test Scores
  • High School GPA
  • High School Class Rank
  • Completion of the College Preparatory Program
  • Demonstration of Competencies

Check out Northwestern Engineering Acceptance Rate

When Do Northwestern University Release Graduate Admission Decisions?

Admission decisions are made after the deadlines, from mid-January until early April. Admitted Ph.D. applicants have until April 15 to accept or reject the offer of admission. The school will not review your application for admission until they receive all the required admission items. 

What is Northwestern University Tuition?

Presently, Northwestern University tuition is $54,120. The undergraduate tuition will increase by 3.9 percent to $56,232 for the new academic year. Also, student activity and athletic fees will increase by 4.5 percent to $258, while the student health fee will remain unchanged at $201.

Nevertheless, Northwestern awards financial aid in accordance with our need-based financial aid policy. It is an institutional sponsor of National Merit Scholarships.

The School of Music awards a number of talent scholarships to incoming students with outstanding performance in auditions.

In addition, tuition benefits include reduced tuition for Northwestern University courses and certificate programs, as well as courses that were taken elsewhere.

Spouses and dependent children of employees may be eligible for reduced tuition for undergraduate courses taken at Northwestern and other schools.

Is Northwestern University Medical Center a good Hospital?

Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) is an 894-bed academic medical center hospital that is the primary teaching affiliate for the Feinberg School of Medicine and has nearly 1,900 affiliated physicians representing virtually every medical specialty. … The hospital is nationally ranked in 12 out of 16 specialties.

The downtown medical campus includes Prentice Women’s Hospital, Feinberg’s Hospital, Galter Pavilion, Olson Pavilion, Arkes Family, Lavin Family Pavilion and a number of other facilities alongside physician offices. The campus is designed to be a health and wellness destination, and a launchpad for community involvement.

In addition to providing medical services, buildings on the campus are also home to restaurants, retail stores, and pharmacies that have been handpicked based on community feedback to provide both healthy and local choices.

The campus also provides spaces for educational seminars, wellness classes and other events dedicated to the health of the community.

VISIT NMH

Who Are the Notable Northwestern University Alumni?

Yes, many Northwestern alumni have gone on to make significant contributions in politics and within the business world. People like Zooey Claire Deschanel, an American actress, is one of the most trustworthy celebrities in the world and Charles Louis Busch, Best drag queens of all time.

The list of famous NWU alumni are;

  • Mike Adamle sports anchor; former pro football player and TV host
  • Ann-Margret; Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress, film and TV
  • Warren Beatty; Academy Award-nominated actor, Academy Award-winning director, Reds
  • Richard Benjamin; actor/director
  • Greg Berlanti; Emmy-nominated TV and film writer/producer, Everwood, Dawson’s Creek, Political Animals
  • Craig Bierko; Tony Award-nominated actor, The Music Man
  • Bill Bindley; writer, director
  • Jeffory Blackard; founder and CEO, Blackard Global
  • Zach Braff; writer, director, actor for TV and film, Scrubs, Garden State; Grammy Award-winning producer of Garden State soundtrack

FAQs On The Northwestern University Acceptance Rate

Northwestern University acceptance rate is 10.7%. This is relatively high when compared to other top schools who have a low acceptance rate.

Northwestern University graduation rate is 93% and that makes the school one of the most sought after in the Nation.

Although no particular GPA is specified in the general admission requirements, interested applicants need to possess a high cummulative GPA in high school.

Yes, with an acceptance rate of 10.7% alongside quality of education rendered, Northwestern University is a good school. In fact, based on several international and local rankings, we can say that the Northwestern is one of the best universities in USA. It is also one of the most sought after universities in the world.

In addition to having achieved a high-grade point average throughout high school, the US applicants must present good scores in SAT I (Reasoning) or ACT examinations.

The average composite SAT score of students admitted to Northwestern University is an impressive 1510.

Conclusion

Northwestern University is the most sought-after school, which is due to its commitment to inclusive excellence. The school draws the world’s brightest students, faculty, and distinguished visitors from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you are aspiring to be a student of this Prestigious University, ensure you make good grades in high school. The CGPA from high school usually serves as a prerequisite to entry into NWU. In addition, you must maintain a good criminal report and be of good behavior.

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