Match Requirements for:Finalists who rank Northwestern If you are a Finalist who ranked Northwestern, your National College Match application will be sent to Northwestern, and you will need to submit the following requirements to the school by November 1. If you have questions after reviewing the information below, please reach
out to the school directly.
Match Requirements
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1 |
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Northwestern Applicant Portal Activation: QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to Northwestern on October 19, and Northwestern may need a couple days to import them into their system. Once processed, Northwestern will then email you instructions to log in and activate your Northwestern applicant portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit
to Northwestern.
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| Northwestern QuestBridge Supplement and all supporting documents
| The Northwestern QuestBridge Supplement will be available through the Applicant Portal. You may indicate your school, program of choice along with the “Why Northwestern” statement. Submitting the “Why Northwestern” Statement is highly encouraged. Submit along with official transcripts, School Report, and one teacher recommendation (additional teacher recommendations are allowed but not required). Official transcripts can be submitted via online,
or mailed to the Admissions Office (see Contact Information below).
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| Official Transcript(s)
| Official transcripts can be submitted via the Northwestern Student Portal or directly from the school to the Admissions Office (see Contact Information below).
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| (Optional) Test Scores
Self-Reported or Official Reports SAT code: 1565
ACT code: 1106
| Northwestern offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Northwestern’s test-optional policy. Students who rank Northwestern can indicate which, if any, scores they would like considered in Northwestern’s review of their application. For students who would like to submit test scores, Northwestern
accepts self-reported test scores, scores reported on official transcripts, or scores verified through counselors. Official scores will be required for students who enroll at Northwestern and request that their scores be considered for admission. Applicants may self-report SAT and/or ACT scores, taking care to report their highest individual sections of the SAT and/or highest ACT composite score. While Northwestern's system will “superscore” ACTs, please do not calculate and
self-report your own ACT superscore; instead, report the highest composite from a single test date along with your highest sub-scores across multiple test dates. Applicants are not obligated to report scores from all test dates, though are welcome to do so. Admitted students who choose to enroll and apply with test scores will be required to submit their highest official SAT or ACT test scores prior to matriculation. For students whose first language is not English and whose schooling has
not been primarily in English: English proficiency scores (DET, TOEFL or IELTS) may not be self-reported; these should be submitted officially via the testing company at the applicant stage.
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| 2023-2024 FAFSA FAFSA code: 001739
Available: Oct. 1
| US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens.
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| 2023-2024 CSS Profile CSS code: 1565
Available: Oct. 1 Please select the Regular Decision round
| If your parents own a business or farm: - Submit the CSS Profile Business/Farm Supplement.
If your parents are divorced or separated: - Each parent must complete a CSS Profile application. It is recommended that the student and custodial parent start the CSS Profile application first. The non-custodial parent will need to create a College Board account before providing their information.
- If you do not have any contact with
your non-custodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information. Download the Non-Custodial Parent Waiver Petition.
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| 2021 Federal Tax Returns and Forms for Custodial and Non-Custodial Parent (if applicable)
| Signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2 forms and other earning statements. Include personal and corporate partnership tax returns. Upload your documents to the College Board IDOC service by Nov. 10. To do this, follow the link containing the IDOC ID you received after completing the CSS Profile. The link will become active when the College Board begins accepting uploads on Nov. 1. Your
non-custodial parent must also submit copies of their 2021 federal tax returns with all schedules.
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| Bienen School of Music Applicants only: Bienen School Supplement
| QuestBridge applicants interested in majoring in music are required to submit the Bienen School Supplement with any applicable prescreening/program requirements by October 15. Auditions take place in early November. Visit the Bienen School of Music website to learn more.
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| Options following the Match |
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Early Decision
| Finalists who ranked Northwestern for the Match (excluding School of Music applicants) and did not match to a binding college partner may be considered for Early Decision. Interested applicants must email or indicate in their Northwestern Portal to indicate they wish to be considered for Early Decision no later than two days after the release of Match decisions. Be aware that
Early Decision is binding. If you choose this application path and Northwestern admits you, you must attend. Historically, Northwestern ED applicants enjoy a higher admit rate than Regular Decision applicants. Finalists who did not rank any colleges may apply Early Decision to Northwestern by November 1.
| Regular Decision
| All Finalists who rank Northwestern for the Match, but did not match to a binding college will automatically have their applications moved to the Regular Decision process. Please submit any relevant updates to . If you no longer wish to be considered, you must contact the Admissions Office to withdraw your application at:
.
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Regular Decision Requirements:Step 1: Select Northwestern on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form on your Application Management page between November 3 - December 11. Only check the box if you fully intend to submit a complete application to Northwestern (including all of the materials detailed in the table below). Step 2: Activate your Northwestern Applicant Portal. QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to Northwestern on December 14 and
Northwestern may need a couple days to import them into their system. Use the Northwestern applicant portal, sent to you via email, to track the status of your materials you submit to Northwestern. Step 3: Submit all additional required admission and financial materials by the applicable deadlines directly to Northwestern as detailed in the table below. Information for Non-Finalists indicates a required material
Regular Decision Requirements: Admission Materials
DEADLINE: JANUARY 2 |
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| Finalists who ranked Northwestern and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)
| Finalists who did not rank Northwestern
| Northwestern QuestBridge Supplement and all supporting documents
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| Submitting the “Why Northwestern” Statement is highly encouraged. Submit along with official transcripts, School Report, and one teacher recommendation (additional teacher recommendations are allowed but not required). Official transcripts can be submitted online, or mailed to the Admissions Office (see Contact Information below).
| Official Transcript(s)
| Update including recent grades
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| QuestBridge Midyear School Report
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| (Optional) Test Scores
Self-Reported or Official Reports SAT code: 1565
ACT code: 1106
| Only if new scores to report, and only if scores do not appear on high school transcript
| Only if scores do not appear on high school transcript
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Regular Decision Requirements: Financial Aid Materials
DEADLINES: SEE BELOW |
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| Finalists who ranked Northwestern and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)
| Finalists who did not rank Northwestern
| 2023-2024 FAFSA
FAFSA Code: 001739 Available: Oct. 1
Deadline: Feb. 1
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| US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens
| 2023-2024 CSS Profile CSS code: 1565
Available: Oct. 1
Deadline: Feb. 15
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| 2021 Federal Tax Returns and Forms
Deadline: Feb. 5
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Northwestern Contact (regarding QuestBridge applications and general questions): Paul Compton, Associate Director of Admission
Email: Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Office of Financial Aid More information on applying to Northwestern
More information on applying for financial aid at Northwestern Contact Information (for sending admission and financial aid materials): If mailing forms
or official transcripts, mail to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Northwestern University
1801 Hinman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60208-1260 If emailing, send to: Mail federal income tax returns and other financial aid documents to (only if submitting updated forms after using College Board IDOC Service):
Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid
Northwestern University
1801 Hinman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60208-3060 Email:
Does class of 2024 need SAT?
The University of California Regents, for example, voted in May 2020 to suspend SAT and ACT testing requirements through 2024 and eliminate them altogether for California students in 2025. This movement has not been without controversy.
Is Northwestern SAT optional 2023?
Standardized Test Scores
Northwestern will be test optional for first-year and transfer applicants for the 2022-23 cycle. If students choose to take an SAT or ACT, there is no preference for either exam—and will review a “superscore” for both tests.
Does Stanford require SAT 2024?
Testing policy for Fall 2023 and Fall 2024 applicants
For the 2022–23 and 2023-24 admission cycles, Stanford will not require ACT or SAT scores for first-year or transfer applicants.
Is Yale test optional 2024?
All of Yale's Ivy League peers have suspended test requirements for the next round of applications. Harvard University and Cornell University have extended this policy through students enrolling in the fall of 2026 and the fall of 2024, respectively.
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