THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Programs have different application review schedules. Some programs wait and rank all of their applications against each other; others make individual determinations on a case-by-case basis. In general, program decisions are rendered from early January through the middle of April. Master’s programs may not render final decisions until as late as July. Check with your program of interest for an estimated timeframe.

Be sure to check the online application for your admission decision. If a decision has been rendered on your application a “View Your Decision Letter” link will appear. If no link is present, a decision has not yet been rendered on your application. Please be patient while waiting for your admission decision. Decisions will be posted as soon as they are rendered. Check with your program of interest for an estimated timeframe.

All enrolling students must have the issuing institution mail their official transcripts to the address listed below. Please note that personal copies mailed directly from an individual are not considered official. 

Northwestern University 
The Graduate School 
Office of Graduate Admission 
633 Clark Street 
Evanston, IL  60208-1113 

E-transcripts provided by an e-transcript delivery service (i.e. National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, etc) should be sent to tgsadmission@northwestern.edu. Please note that personal digital copies sent directly from an individual email account are not considered official. 

No. Please wait and only send us your final, degree-awarding transcript.

Please refer to the transcript status in your application portal checklist. If the status is listed as "waived," that indicates that an official copy will not be required to submit after acceptance.

You may have certified copies of your foreign transcripts sent if you are not able to send the original official copies. Please have them certified by your university, education/foreign affairs ministry. You can also have them certified and sent to us from WES or ECE. If the originals are not in English, a literal English translation must be supplied as well. 

If an institution's transcripts are only available in a foreign language, TGS will need an English translation completed by a verifiable, neutral third party (i.e. ATA translators, a transcript evaluation service, etc.) in addition to the original copy. Transcripts and accompanying translations should be mailed in sealed envelopes or emailed directly by the third party responsible for translation.  

Unfortunately, we cannot accept transcripts delivered in-person because it hampers our ability to assess their authenticity. A limited number of appointments for in-person submission may be made available on a case-by-case basis, typically only in extenuating circumstances that would prevent the student from submitting their transcripts using more conventional means. In these circumstances, an appointment must be made by contacting tgstranscripts@northwestern.edu.

TGS offers a base stipend rate; read about it on our Funding webpage.