Northwestern – Top Colleges and Universities

Overview

Northwestern University is a well-respected private institution located in the Chicago suburb of Evanston. Students are close enough to an urban atmosphere to be able to take advantage of a variety of activities. With just under 8,300 undergraduates, the school is small enough to offer classes with a six to one student to faculty ratio, but large enough to attract impressive professors.

Northwestern admissions

The school was established in 1851 and is spread over 240 acres. There is another campus located in Chicago that covers 25 additional acres. The picturesque Evanston campus is right next to Lake Michigan, giving students a gorgeous view from the University Library, Norris University Center, and Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The campus is largely divided into two sections. The North Campus is made up of Science and Athletics. (Including the fraternity buildings, the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Norris Aquatics Center, and the Technological Institute.) The South Campus is mostly Humanities and Arts centered. (With the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, and the sorority buildings.)

Northwestern sports Northwestern is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, but also for allowing its students control over the classes they take. Unlike most universities, there are no common core classes required for all students. Each major sets its own standards for necessary classes as determined by the professors in each major. In fact, Northwestern University offers more than 120 undergraduate degree options. The most popular majors include economics, journalism, psychology and political science/government.

Northwestern University students But the university is not just about academics. The school also treasures the many traditions that have developed over the years, including Painting the Rock, the Dance Marathon, and Primal Scream where students are allowed to scream out of their windows during finals week. There is a significant Greek presence on campus, with around 40% of women in a sorority and 32% of men in a fraternity. There are roughly 40 fraternities and sororities to choose from on the Northwestern campus. Additionally, many students decide to live in residential dorms and about 52% decide to stay in college-affiliated housing throughout their undergraduate years.

Students looking for a flexible path towards their desired major should look into the university. Northwestern prides itself on providing individualized courses of study, while still offering consistently challenging classes. Students interested in a beautiful campus close to a major city should consider Northwestern University.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

Northwestern acceptance rate

Academic Qualifications

Northwestern top 10% in high school

SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)

Northwestern University SAT score range

ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)

Northwestern ACT test scores

Application Deadlines

Early Decision
Early Decision application deadline: November 1.
Decisions are announced on December 15.

Regular Decision
Regular decision deadline: January 1.
Decisions are mailed by early April.

Transfers
Transfer application deadline (fall): Mar. 15
Transfer application deadline (spring): Oct. 1

Admissions Criteria

Freshmen Admissions
Number of 2018 (Class of 2022) applicants: 40,418
Enrolled: 1,903
Yield: 55.3%
Acceptance rate: 8.4%

Early Decision Admissions
Number of 2018 ED (Class of 2022) applicants: 4,049
2018 (Class of 2022) ED acceptance rate: 26.5%

Waitlist Admission Statistics
Number of waitlisted applicants: 1,892
Admitted off waitlist: 65
Acceptance rate: 3.4%

Transfer Admissions
Number of transfer applicants: 1,872
Enrolled: 282
Acceptance rate: 15.1%

Academic Qualifications
Average GPA: N/A
Top 10% of High School: 91%

Middle SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-770
SAT Math: 720-790

Middle ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Composite: 32-35

Standardized Test Requirements

SAT/ACT required

Writing portion not required

SAT Subject Tests required for applicants to the Honors Program in Medical Education and the Integrated Science Program (ISP) as well as those who have been home schooled.