Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL:
What is the cost of the program?
Costs for the College Preparation
Program are available on the Tuition
& Fees page.
What are the start and end dates
for the program?
Program dates can be found here.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid available?
A limited number of tuition scholarships are available to qualified applicants. Students may also apply for an application fee waiver. Please
see this
page for
more information.
Will participation in the College Preparation
Program affect my chances of getting into NU?
While successful
enrollment in college-level courses is a great head-start to your
college career, many facets of your application will contribute
to your acceptance to college. Participation in the CPP is
one of the many pieces of your application profile; it alone
does not guarantee your acceptance to Northwestern University.
If I have an obligation that requires me to be away
from campus during part of the College Preparation Program,
may I still attend?
College credit courses only meet from three to eight weeks, during which professors cover a quarter's worth of information. As a result, missing even one class meeting could be detrimental to your final grade. IN FOCUS Seminars meet for only two weeks, and students are expected to be present at all seminar meetings. Other summertime commitments should be scheduled for before or after the College Prep Program.
Who else takes classes in the summer?
College Prep students enrolled in college credit courses take undergraduate courses with other Northwestern and visiting university students during the summer. Only high school College Prep students enroll in the IN FOCUS Seminars.
How many students participated in the College Preparation
Program last year?
Last summer, the CPP welcomed about 145 students from
around the country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
APPLICATION:
Who may apply?
Information on application requirements is here.
When is the deadline?
There are different application deadlines for international students, domestic students applying for financial aid, and domestic students who are not applying for financial aid. There is also a late application period. All of these deadlines can be found here.
Space in the program is limited, especially in the IN FOCUS seminars. Early applications are encouraged if you wish to avoid being waitlisted.
Can I fax or email my transcript and letters of
recommendation?
No. Letters and transcripts must arrive
in sealed envelopes that have been signed across the seal
by a school official. Unofficial letters of recommendation
and transcripts will not be reviewed as part of a completed
application.
May I send my application before I have my transcript
and letters of recommendation?
You may, but it
is recommended that you send your application materials
all together (application, fee, letters, and transcripts)
so as to expedite
the evaluation process.
Will I be notified if my application is incomplete?
No.
It is the student's responsibility to see that all materials
arrive at our offices by the due date.
How soon will I know if I have been accepted?
After the admissions committee begins reviewing applications in January, you will receive written notification of the admission decision within approximately two weeks of receipt of your completed application.
Will I be notified by phone or email of acceptance?
No.
The decision of the committee will not be made known to you
either by telephone or email.
RESIDENCE LIFE:
Are the dorms air conditioned?
Yes. The Residence Halls used
by the CPP are air-conditioned.
What is the weather like in Evanston in the summer?
Generally,
Midwestern summers are hot and humid. Temperatures can vary
from the lower 60s to the upper 90s in the span of just
one week.
Can I choose my roommate?
No. An important part of the dorm experience is learning to interact with new people.
Can I change roommates?
No. The decision of the CPP regarding your roommate and room assignment is final and binding.
Will I be able to contact my roommate before the first day of the program?
Yes. A few weeks before the program starts, you will receive a letter detailing your room assignment and roommate's name and contact information.
ACADEMIC LIFE:
What kinds of courses may I take?
College Prep students enroll in college credit courses, or intensive noncredit IN FOCUS Seminars. In both, courses are taught by Northwestern faculty and instructors who look forward to the same level of commitment and involvement from you that they do from the rest of Northwestern’s student body.
Generally, CPP participants may take any 100 or 200 level college credit courses - and some 300 level courses - offered on the Evanston or Chicago campuses. College credit courses are available in virtually any subject area. The IN FOCUS Seminars are designed for students who want an intensive learning experience in a specific subject area such as sustainability, global justice, or pre-law.
More information about College Prep academics is here.
How many courses may I take?
We recommend that students enrolling in college credit courses take two six- or eight-week courses, or one intensive course sequence. We do understand, however, that courses at Northwestern are both challenging and expensive, so taking one course is perfectly acceptable.
Where is the bookstore
and when can I buy books?
For college credit courses, you can buy your textbooks at the university bookstores when you arrive or pre-order and pay for books online, and then pick them up when you arrive on campus. Prices vary, but we recommend that you plan for at least $100 for each class (more for science texts) if you plan to purchase course materials after you arrive. If your class is taught in Evanston, you will purchase your books from the Norris University Center bookstore. If your class is taught in Chicago, you will purchase your books from the Abbott Hall bookstore.
CAMPUS LIFE:
What kinds of extra-curricular activities are available?
CPP offers a variety of extracurricular activities throughout the summer. In previous summers, students have attended Chicago Cubs games at Wrigley Field, music concerts and festivals, architectural cruises of downtown Chicago and other activities. Small, informal gatherings are held frequently in the Residence Hall, such as karaoke nights and dodgeball tournaments.
Can I bring my car?
Students who attend as CPP residential scholars may not bring vehicles to campus. Commuters may use their cars to travel to and from campus but may not transport other CPP participants. Commuters must purchase their own parking passes. More information is here.
How big is the campus?
Northwestern University
is located on a 240-acre campus in Evanston, the first suburb
north of Chicago. Please visit www.northwestern.edu/about/facts/index.html for
more information.
Where can I worship?
Please visit www.northwestern.edu/chaplain for
information on religious life at Northwestern University.
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