Northwestern University
Finalists who rank Northwestern
If you are a Finalist who ranked Northwestern, your National College Match application will be sent to Northwestern, and you will need to submit the following requirements to the school by November 1. If you have questions after reviewing the information below, please reach out to the school directly.
Regular Decision Requirements: Admission Materials
Northwestern University Application Status Portal Activation
QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to college partners on October 16, and Northwestern University may need a couple of days to import them into their system. Once processed, Northwestern University will then email you instructions to log in and activate your applicant portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit.
The Northwestern QuestBridge Supplement will be available through the Applicant Portal. After activating your Applicant Portal, you may select an undergraduate school, indicate your proposed academic program(s), and complete Northwestern's First-Year Writing Supplements.
Submit along with official transcripts, School Report, and one teacher recommendation (additional teacher recommendations are allowed but not required).
Official transcripts can be submitted via online, or mailed to the Admissions Office (see Contact Information below).
Official transcripts can be submitted via the Northwestern Student Portal or directly from the school to the Admissions Office (see Contact Information below).
Northwestern offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Northwestern’s test-optional policy.
Students who rank Northwestern can indicate which, if any, scores they would like considered in Northwestern’s review of their application. For students who would like to submit test scores, Northwestern accepts self-reported test scores, scores reported on official transcripts, or scores verified through counselors. Official scores will be required for students who enroll at Northwestern and request that their scores be considered for admission.
Applicants may self-report SAT and/or ACT scores, taking care to report their highest individual sections of the SAT and/or highest ACT composite score. While Northwestern's system will “superscore” ACTs, please do not calculate and self-report your own ACT superscore; instead, report the highest composite from a single test date along with your highest sub-scores across multiple test dates. Applicants are not obligated to report scores from all test dates, though are welcome to do so. Admitted students who choose to enroll and apply with test scores will be required to submit their highest official SAT or ACT test scores prior to matriculation.
For students whose first language is not English and whose schooling has not been primarily in English: English proficiency scores (DET, TOEFL or IELTS) may not be self-reported; these should be submitted officially via the testing company at the applicant stage.
QuestBridge applicants interested in majoring in music are required to submit the Bienen School Supplement with any applicable prescreening/program requirements by October 15. Auditions take place in early November. Visit the Bienen School of Music website to learn more.
Required for all applicants. Please select "Regular Decision" as your admission application type.
If your parents are divorced or separated:
- Each parent must complete a CSS Profile application. It is recommended that the student and custodial parent start the CSS Profile application first. The non-custodial parent will need to create a College Board account before providing their information.
- If you do not have any contact with your non-custodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information. Download the Non-Custodial Parent Waiver Petition.
Signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2 forms and other earning statements. Include personal and corporate partnership tax returns.
Upload your documents to the College Board IDOC service by Nov. 10. To do this, follow the link containing the IDOC ID you received after completing the CSS Profile. The link will become active when the College Board begins accepting uploads on Nov. 1.
Your non-custodial parent must also submit copies of their 2023 federal tax returns with all schedules.
2025-2026 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 001739
Submit as soon as available
The FAFSA will open this fall. Please complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available and submit it directly to Northwestern.
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens.
Finalists who ranked Northwestern for the Match (excluding School of Music applicants) and did not match to a binding college partner may be considered for Early Decision. Interested applicants must email [email protected] or indicate in their Northwestern Portal to indicate they wish to be considered for Early Decision no later than two days after the release of Match decisions. Be aware that Early Decision is binding. If you choose this application path and Northwestern admits you, you must attend. Historically, Northwestern ED applicants enjoy a higher admit rate than Regular Decision applicants.
Finalists who did not rank any colleges may apply Early Decision to Northwestern by November 1.
All Finalists who rank Northwestern for the Match, but did not match to a binding college will automatically have their applications moved to the Regular Decision process. Please submit any relevant updates to [email protected].
If you no longer wish to be considered, you must contact the Admissions Office to withdraw your application at: [email protected].
Regular Decision Requirements:
Step 1: Select Northwestern University on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form on your Application Management page between November 4 - December 9. Only check the box if you fully intend to submit a complete application to Northwestern University (including all of the materials detailed in the table below).
Step 2: Activate your Northwestern University Applicant Portal. QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to Northwestern University on December 12 and Northwestern University may need a couple days to import them into their system. Use the Northwestern University applicant portal, sent to you via email, to track the status of your materials you submit to Northwestern University.
Step 3: Submit all additional required application and financial materials by the applicable deadlines directly to Northwestern University as detailed in the table below.
Finalists who ranked Northwestern and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)
Finalists who did not rank Northwestern
You may select an undergraduate school, indicate your proposed academic program, and respond to our supplemental essay questions.
Submit along with official transcripts, School Report, and one teacher recommendation (additional teacher recommendations are allowed but not required).
Finalists who ranked Northwestern and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)
Finalists who did not rank Northwestern