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Non-Degree Exchange Students

The Graduate School at Northwestern University participates in multiple partnerships and exchange programs to provide students with the opportunity to study abroad.

Participating NU PhD Programs: 

• Comparative Literary Studies 
• English  
• French and Francophone Studies 
• History 
• Sociology 
• Philosophy 
• Political Science 

International Partner Institutions: 

• Ecole Normale Superieure Paris  
• Ecole Normale Superieure Lyon  

Application Procedures:

For Students Applying to Northwestern University for Non-Degree Graduate Study

1. Complete an Application for Admission 
   1. When prompted to select an Academic Program (page 3), applicants should choose Exchange Program X10ND. The program name is also listed under the Interdisciplinary Organization. 
   2. On the Academic Program page (page 4), you will be asked, “Are you applying as a dual-degree (or exchange) student with one of our foreign partner institutions (Examples include: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, ENS Lyon, Other Institutions).” Applicants should answer “yes” and list their home institution.
2. Academic Statement:   Applicants are asked to upload an academic essay outlining their objectives for pursuing graduate study at Northwestern. The Academic Statement is required for all applicants, including international, non-degree exchange students. Within the Academic Statement, nominees must present a clear and detailed plan of study and must identify a primary adviser to whom they will report while a visiting student. 
3. Transcripts:  Scanned (unofficial) copy of Transcript from the school you are currently enrolled in at the time of application. 
   1. If admitted, enrolling students will be required to request an official transcript from their current institution (transcript must be submitted by the issuing institution to The Graduate School directly) with accompanying English translation. Students can also request a credential evaluation in place of official transcripts. The Graduate School prefers WES or ECE. 
4. Test Scores: The Graduate School does not require the GRE, GMAT or English Language Proficiency scores for non-degree exchange students, though individual programs may have stricter requirements. Please check with host program regarding any additional requirements. 
5. Letters of Recommendation: The Graduate School’s Application for Admission requires that applicants enter one contact for the letters of recommendation section.  Applicants should list their home institution adviser name and contact email as the recommender. The home institution adviser should address the following points in their letter of recommendation:  
   1. Confirmation of the applicant’s enrolled graduate student status  
   2. The applicant's proposed plan of study at Northwestern and its relevance to the applicant’s academic and scholarly progress 
6. No application fee is required.  

Application Deadlines 

The Graduate School has set the following deadlines for Fall 2025: 

• May 21, 2025: Deadline by which students must submit completed application for admission. 
• May 28, 2025: Deadline by which programs must enter an admissions decision. 
• June 5, 2025 : Deadline by which applicant must enter their enrollment decision. 

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