Application Types
Applications for 2025 admissions are now open.
New Student
If you are applying to a program in The Graduate School at Northwestern for the first time or you have applied before but did not enroll, you should use The Graduate School’s (TGS) online application and select 'New Student' on the first page of the application form. (See full list of TGS programs). Additionally, if you have already or will earn a degree from TGS and wish to apply to a new program, or you wish to change degree levels, you should select ‘New Student’ on the first page of the application form.
Combined Degree
TGS offers academically strong, motivated Northwestern University undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue a concurrent, combined bachelor’s/master's degree program. This program is restricted to Northwestern University undergraduates and is limited to certain degree programs within the University.
Combined bachelor's/master's degree applicants should use TGS's online application and be sure to select the 'Combined Degree' option on the first page of the application form. Applicants to the combined bachelor's/master's program follow a distinct application process and should consult the bachelor's/master's program page for more detailed instructions.
Readmission
Degree-seeking students who miss one or more quarters of registration (excluding summer), who fail to request return after an approved period of leave of absence, or who request to withdraw from their program, will be discontinued from The Graduate School (TGS). Those who are discontinued are not enrolled and are not considered active students. Students who fall into this category and who wish to return to the graduate program from which they were discontinued must submit an Application for Former Student to Re-Enter (FRET) Form found on the Registrar’s website. Submit the form no fewer than four weeks before the start of the quarter. Deadlines for each quarter are listed below.
Winter 2025: December 9, 2024
Spring 2025: March 4, 2025
Summer 2025: June 2, 2025
Fall 2025: August 19, 2025
The decision to readmit a former student is at the discretion of the program and The Graduate School. Please contact TGS' Student Services office with any questions.
TGS Transfer Student
A student who wishes to change to a new program (at the same degree level) prior to completing the current program within The Graduate School must submit an online application making sure to select the 'TGS Transfer Student' option on the first page of the application form. Transfer applicants will be subject to the same requirements as 'New Student' applicants and must receive approval to transfer from the program they are applying to and notify the program they are leaving prior to starting the application. TGS will only open the transfer application once they have reviewed and approved the request from the program. University funding awarded by the student's current program does not follow the student to the new program.
Questions?
Contact the specific program you are applying to with admissions questions such as deadlines, requirements, and application status. Program-specific contact information can be found on the program's webpage.
Note that academic departments/degree programs set their own application deadlines. Please be sure to review your program’s website to determine your department’s application deadline. Late applications are not guaranteed review and application fees cannot be refunded.