Northwestern University Transfer Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Northwestern University welcomes transfer students as valuable members of its community. This guide provides detailed information on admission requirements, transfer credits, deadlines, and available support services for prospective transfer students.

Who Should Apply as a Transfer Student?

Students who have enrolled in and earned credits from post-secondary study after graduating from secondary school must apply as transfer students. To be eligible, applicants must be in good standing and eligible to continue their studies at their most recent institution.

Application Process

Northwestern University considers transfer applications for fall quarter enrollment only. Bienen School of Music applicants must complete an audition.

Application Pathways

Northwestern offers two pathways for transfer applicants:

Early Decision (ED) Transfer: A binding option for students who have Northwestern as their first choice.
Regular Decision (RD) Transfer: A non-binding option with a later deadline.

Financial aid offers are the same for both ED and RD applicants.

Required Application Materials

Common Application for Transfer Students: Includes personal essays and information about academic and extracurricular activities.
College Report: To be completed by a school official, verifying the applicant's academic and disciplinary standing.
Official Transcripts: From all previously attended post-secondary institutions.
Standardized Test Scores (Optional): Applicants may self-report SAT or ACT scores. However, Northwestern will not calculate a superscore for students reporting ACT scores in the 2025-26 application cycle due to the ACT’s staggered roll-out of its enhanced format.
English Proficiency: International applicants whose first language is not English or whose secondary/post-secondary curriculum was not taught in English must submit proof of English proficiency.

Essays

Applicants will be asked to share why they would like to transfer to Northwestern. Though applicants have the "option" to submit the Common App personal statement (prompts are identical to those for freshmen), for serious applicants, this essay isn’t really optional and should be viewed as required. Essay prompts include:

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure.
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Northwestern is highly competitive, with a transfer acceptance rate around 12.7%. Successful applicants typically have completed coursework across a range of liberal arts and sciences courses and maintained a B average.

GPA Requirements

University of Northwestern - St. Paul requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 for admittance. However, the university understands that grades don’t always tell the full story. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, please submit the following materials:

Academic Reference: We recommend asking a teacher or professor who can best describe your academic achievements, leadership record, and potential success at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul.
Insight Resume: This form will ask you questions regarding academic performance and success. You may complete this form in your application portal when prompted.

Key Considerations for Admission

Northwestern considers various factors when evaluating transfer applications:

Academic Performance: Strong grades and a challenging course load are essential.
Personal Experiences: Applicants should articulate how their background, identity, or experiences have shaped their perspective and how they plan to engage with the Northwestern community.
Reasons for Transferring: A clear and compelling explanation of why the applicant wants to transfer to Northwestern is crucial.
Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in extracurricular activities demonstrates a commitment to personal growth and engagement.

Transfer Credit

The Office of the Registrar evaluates transfer credits after admission.

Read also: Northwestern Kellogg Programs

General Policies

Northwestern accepts coursework with grades of C- or higher from accredited and some non-accredited institutions.
A credit conversion formula determines the number of Northwestern units awarded. One unit of Northwestern credit is granted for a course that carries two or three semester hours or three or four quarter hours of credit at the previous institution.
Eligible Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) scores may be used toward a bachelor’s degree.
Transfer credit is reflected on the Northwestern University transcript with a grade of "T," not the actual grade received at the other institution.
No transfer of credit is allowed for grades of P (Pass), S (Satisfactory), or similar non-quality grades.
Final, official transcripts from the offering institution are the appropriate mechanism for reporting completion of a course to Northwestern. Such transcripts must bear the signature and/or seal of the issuing official and must arrive at our office sealed and/or unopened since issue.

Restrictions on Transfer Credit

The Undergraduate Registration Requirement (URR) specifies the minimum number of units of credit a student must earn at Northwestern, limiting the amount of non-Northwestern credit that may be counted toward a Northwestern degree. For students pursuing a four-year degree, this generally means six quarters (two full academic years) of full-time study.
Students may not register concurrently at Northwestern and another institution and receive transfer credit for work taken at the other institution unless permission is granted in advance by the office of the dean of their schools.
Students who wish to transfer credit for work taken elsewhere during an absence from Northwestern must obtain advance approval of their proposed course of study. Procedures vary depending upon whether the study is part of a study abroad program or simply enrollment at another institution.

School-Specific Policies

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences: No credit is accepted toward a Weinberg degree. Courses that are to be applied toward a Weinberg College major or minor must have the prior approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies or designated adviser in that department or program.
School of Communication: Transfer credits are not permitted to apply for those major requirements that must be taken in the major department. Transfer credits may be approved (by petition) to count towards courses required in SoC. Courses in the major department may also be accepted as elective credit.
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications: Transfer credit cannot be applied to the journalism major.

Important Considerations

Deadlines: Transfer applications are only considered for the fall quarter. Check the Northwestern University website for specific deadlines.
Financial Aid: Financial aid is not offered to international transfer applicants. Domestic transfer applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid Profile to apply for financial assistance.
Enrollment Deposit: Admitted applicants must submit a deposit to confirm enrollment.
Deferred Enrollment: Northwestern does not consider deferral requests from admitted transfer students; students should apply for the term in which they intend to enroll.
Reapplication: Applicants who previously applied to Northwestern and received an admission decision are eligible to reapply but must wait until the following application cycle.
Residential Services: For more information, please visit the Residential Services webpage.

Additional Information

Academic Programs at Northwestern University

Art & Design
Business
Communication
Computer Science
Economics
Education
Engineering
Entrepreneurship
Ethnic Studies
Finance/Accounting
Government/Political Science
Health Science
History
Humanities
Journalism
Liberal Arts
Music
Performing Arts
Psychology
Research
Science
Social Science
Technology
Visual Arts

Student Experience at Northwestern University

Athletics
Co-op/Internship Opportunities
Cultural organizations
Disability Services
Greek Life
Intramural/Club Sports
LGBTQIA Services
Military/Veteran Services
On-Campus Housing
Political Organizations
ROTC Program
Speech & debate
Student publications
Study Abroad
Undergraduate Research
Veteran Fee Waiver

Read also: GPA and SAT/ACT for Northwestern

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