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Touring the Campus

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The Graduate School (TGS) encourages prospective students to visit our campus and learn more about our programs. TGS is unable to finance any travel or lodging expenses, and may not be able to accommodate visits requested without ample planning time.

Request a Group Tour through our Office of Diversity & Inclusion

The Graduate School's Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) is available for campus visits and virtual meet-and-greets for undergraduate student groups of 10 or more who are marginalized or underrepresented in their field, including first-generation and BIPOC students. Virtual meet-and-greets typically consist of a presentation by ODI staff, followed by an open Q&A with ODI staff and a current graduate student.  Individuals or smaller groups should contact specific graduate programs for campus visits.

ODI GROUP VISIT FORM

ODI also coordinates group campus visits for undergraduate McNair scholars. McNair program directors should email ODI at least six weeks prior to your proposed travel dates to discuss visit options.

Please email ODI at least four weeks prior to the proposed date to discuss visit details. Visiting groups who do not fall under these categories can contact TGS Admissions or individual academic programs for campus visits.

Stop by the Segal Visitors Center

Visitors can head over to the Segal Visitors Center vestibule, open 24 hours a day, to register for a self-guided visit and download a copy of the tour.

In addition, staff and current students are available in the main lobby of the Visitors Center to assist you at the front desk and answer any questions. For individuals looking to visit specific program facilities, please contact your academic program of interest to explore visit options.  

Take a Virtual Campus Tour

Follow along on any number of recorded campus tours from the Northwestern University Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In addition to academic buildings, you can see residential buildings, dining halls, athletic facilities, and more. Undergraduate students will give you a personal perspective on residential life and academics, including research opportunities, innovation, design, and the arts.

Self-Guided Social Justice Tours of Northwestern

For a deeper look at Northwestern’s history and communities, continue to explore campus on your own with the help of the following self-guided audio tours.

Getting Around

The Chicagoland area has a streamlined public transportation system that makes it easy to travel around Chicago and Evanston. Both the Evanston and Chicago campuses are within walking distance from Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train stops and buses, Metra rail stations, and campus shuttle buses.

  • The Evanston campus is on the CTA Purple Line and is close to the Davis, Foster, and Noyes stops. You can download the Ventra app for wait-time estimates for buses and trains. Northwestern students who opt-in for the U-Pass receive an unlimited CTA pass to use each quarter at a discounted rate.
  • Metra has frequent service to Evanston from Chicago and the northern suburbs on the Union Pacific/North Line. View the complete schedule of the Union Pacific/North Line on the Metra website.
  • In addition to public transit, our free intercampus shuttle runs between the Evanston and downtown Chicago campuses. 
For more information on traveling to and from our campuses, visit the Transportation & Parking website.