Graduate School Admission Decisions and Enrolment

As you begin your graduate studies, University want to help you get started on the right foot. University put together some tips and resources to make your transition as smooth as possible.

View your electronic admission decision.

Once you have applied to Northwestern and been admitted, you will receive an email with your electronic admission decision. You can also check your Northwestern application status online.

When you receive this email, be sure to click on the link that takes you directly to our online payment system–it will ask for some basic information (name and address) so that we know who paid what and when they paid their deposit.

Submit your enrolment decision online.

When you submit your enrollment decision online, you will be prompted to enter information about yourself and the program(s) that interest you. You may also be asked to provide additional information related to financial aid, residency status, or other topics.

After submitting your enrollment decision online, please only make changes after we have notified all applicants of their final admission decisions on April 1st.

Mail your official transcripts.

Mail your official transcripts directly from the institution to:
Office of Graduate Admission
Northwestern University, 3201 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-1086
Transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope, have the institution’s official seal, and be signed by an authorized official.

Submit your health record information.

If you are admitted to Northwestern and still need to submit your health record information, please submit it as soon as possible. Please note that if you do not submit this documentation by the deadline, your offer of admission will be rescinded.

Submit your visa request.

You can apply for a visa after you have been accepted.
Submit your visa request to the U.S. Department of State by completing an online form, paying a fee and providing documents and information about your financial status.

Obtain a tax identification number.

If you are a tax resident of the United States, you need to obtain a tax identification number. The IRS issues two types of Social Security Numbers:

SSN for non-resident aliens and foreign nationals whom USCIS has issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD); and
ITIN is for individuals who do not qualify for an SSN and EAD but must file U.S. taxes.

You can apply for an ITIN from the IRS website; however, it’s best to visit an IRS office in person since they will require documentation such as your passport or driver’s license before issuing one (you’ll also need this documentation when applying).

Activate your NetID and email.

Activate your NetID and email. If you did not activate your NetID and email, please get in touch with the I.T. help desk.
Register for classes. Once you have activated both of these services, we recommend that you register for classes as soon as possible so that they appear on your timeline when enrolling in them!

Enter emergency notification phone numbers.

You can add or update your emergency contact information by clicking on the “Emergency Contact Information” link below the Personal Information section of your Student Center.

You will then be directed to a new page where you can enter the information for each person who should receive a call from Northwestern in case of an emergency. This includes:

The name of your designated emergency contact person(s).
Their phone number(s), email address, and home address (if applicable).

Register for classes

Registering for classes is a two-step process. The first step is to register online, and the second is to pay your bill in person at Student Finance Services (SFS). You can do this up until 24 hours before your first class begins.

To register on the web:

Go to https://webreg.northwestern.edu/ under “Login”
Click “Register Now!” under “New Students”
Select your major from the dropdown menu and click Continue
Enter all required information and click Continue again