Frequently Asked Questions
Additional program questions are addressed in their respective sections of the web site. If you cannot find the answers to your questions there, please contact our admissions office at (312) 503-0875.
Catalog
How do I obtain a graduate catalog?
To obtain a graduate catalog, please complete the online
request form.
Application
For general application instructions and deadlines visit the Application
Requirements & Instructions web page. For application information specific to a program please visit that program's admissions web page. Program links are located on the left.
I have interests in more than one program. Can I apply
to two programs?
No, you may only apply to one program per quarter. Some
programs allow you to take courses in more than one
curriculum.
Can I apply to a program and
get a decision before I finish my bachelor's degree?
Yes. You may apply to a program while you are in the process of finishing your bachelor's degree. However, admissions decisions may be held until proof of degree completion is received. Final transcripts will be required as soon as they are available from your undergraduate institution.
What will happen to my application if I miss the deadline?
If your application remains incomplete after more than four quarter deadlines, your application will be purged, and you will need to begin the application process again.
How
soon after the deadline will I receive a decision?
Decisions are mailed approximately three to four weeks after
the application deadline. We regret that federal law prevents
us from giving out admissions decisions over the phone or
via email.
How do I contact you if I need more
information?
To arrange an appointment with the admissions coordinator,
please call the School of Continuing Studies at (312) 503-0875. Applicants to online programs should call (312) 503-2579.
Tuition and Fees How much does the program cost?
Tuition information
can be found on the tuition page.
What is the process if my employer pays part of my tuition?
The University's Employer Reimbursement Plan (ERP)
is designed for students whose employers offer
reimbursement for tuition
charges. The plan allows participants to defer
their employer-covered tuition payments to
Northwestern until after the term has
been completed. For detailed information about ERP and to download an application form, visit: http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/documents/publications_and_forms/ERP.pdf (PDF Format)
When is tuition due?
Shortly after your registration, your account and
any
financial
aid information will be, visible on the CAESAR
website once
you have an active Net ID.
What if I have questions about
my bill?
You should contact the Office of Student Accounts at
(847) 491-5224 or at (312) 503-8503.
Do you offer fee waivers?
To insure equal treatment of all applications, your
application will not be considered without the required
application fee.
Transcripts
My former school will not send me transcripts
in sealed envelopes to enclose with the rest of my application
materials.
What should I do?
Most schools will issue documents in sealed envelopes
directly to the student. You may also request that your transcripts
get mailed directly to us and we will include them with your
application.
I took one course during the summer from a
different university. Do I have to send the transcript for
that one course?
Yes. You will need to submit all of your official transcripts
from any previous college or university academic work.
May I send documents to the School
of the Continuing Studies before I submit my application?
Yes. Documents that
arrive before your application are held in a pending file
until the application and fee are submitted. Anything sent
separately from your application should include the name
under which you are applying and the name of the program
to which you are applying.
Statement of Purpose
What are you looking for in the statement
of purpose?
The admissions committee wants to see a strong argument
for why you are a good fit for the program.
Tell us who you are, what you want to achieve, and why you
think the graduate program will get you there. Keep your
statement close to the 300-word limit; writing more usually
does not mean writing better.
How important is the statement?
We look at all the materials in an application carefully
to get a holistic impression of an applicant and try to gauge
his/her chances for success in the program. The statement
is especially important because it is one of the few pieces
of the application that you create. You can't change
your transcripts and you never know what a recommender will
say, but you can be sure to craft a strong and logical statement.
Please note: a statement of purpose is also a writing sample,
so be sure it is error free and well written.
Recommendation
Letters
How can I get a strong letter of
recommendation?
Educate your recommenders about the program and your goals.
Write your statement of purpose first. When you have made
a convincing case for admission in your statement, share
that with potential recommenders. That way, they know what
talents of yours they can highlight to support your statement.
I have been out of school for several years and there is
no one there who can write a recommendation for me. Can
I get my employer to write one?
The purpose of submitting letters of recommendation
is to give the admission committee an indication of your
ability
to succeed in the program. It is recommended that at least
one of the letters speak about your academic potential. Do
not assume that no one remembers you at your undergraduate
college, though it may take some work to reach a former professor.
If you are unable to obtain a letter from a former instructor,
you should ask someone who you think can best assess your
potential for graduate study in your particular program area.
A current or former supervisor will carry more weight than
a peer. A letter from a friend or a relative is not recommended.
I want to send more than the required number
of letters of recommendation because I feel this will enhance
my chances
of being offered admission. Does this indeed help?
It is not how many letters of recommendation you send
but the information contained in these letters that contributes
to the overall strength of your application. Send the required
number of letters but choose these recommenders well. We
suggest that you brief your recommenders on what the program
is about so they can write appropriate letters, highlighting
your strengths that relate to the program.
GRE Scores
Are the GRE's required?
No, the GRE's are not required, but strong scores bolster chances of admission. Test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL) should be sent directly from the testing agency to Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies. Our Designated Institution Code is 6256.
International Students
I did my undergraduate work
in a foreign country. How close to a U.S. bachelor's
degree does it have to be?
In order to be eligible for admission to SCS as a graduate student, you must have completed the equivalent of a U.S bachelor's degree. You are required to have all transcripts for coursework complete in a foreign country evaluated by a NACES member credential evaluating agency which will translate courses, degrees, and grades to U.S. equivalencies (Please also see the section on Transcripts above.)
Do I have to send an original copy of my transcript from the non-US institution as well as the course-by-course evaluation?
Applicants with international transcripts must request an official course-by-course evaluation of those transcripts from a NACES member. A course-by-course evaluation will translate courses, degrees, and grades to U.S. equivalencies. The evaluations must be prepared for Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies and must arrive in our office in a sealed envelope issued by the evaluator. It is not necessary to also submit an original transcript issued by the non-US institution.
Can I get a student visa if I want to be
a non-degree or Visiting Scholar student?
SCS does not process I-20 or DS-2019 forms for full-time student or exchange visas. Our degree programs are designed as part-time programs for working professionals and cannot be used to maintain legal status in the United States.
I am a foreign student but my undergraduate
work was taken at an English-speaking institution abroad.
Will the TOEFL
or IELTS score requirement be waived?
TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required for students who have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited four-year institution or equivalent where the language of instruction is English.
Is the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) the only exam that you accept?
SCS accepts both the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Tests must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry. For the TOEFL, applicants must score 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 or higher on the computer-based test, or 100 or higher on the internet based test. SCS's institutional code for the TOEFL is 9019. For the IELTS exam, applicants must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.
My TOEFL score is more than two years old,
so the Educational Testing Service (ETS) will not send official
scores to you.
Will you accept a photocopy?
SCS will not accept a photocopy of a score report. Additionally, TOEFL scores must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry.
Admission
If I am not admitted, can I be reconsidered for another quarter?
If you were denied admission, you may reapply in any future quarter in which you have substantially new materials to submit. This can be to your advantage, enabling you to amass additional and better academic credentials, more substantial letters of recommendation, or further professional experience. If you wish to speak with the admissions coordinator at SCS about your application, please call 312-503-0875 to make an appointment.
I have been admitted for one quarter but I have decided to begin studies in a different one. What do I need to do?
Newly admitted students may defer their first enrollment for up to three quarters before being required to apply again. It is not possible to start your studies earlier than the intended entry quarter selected in your application.
I have decided not to attend Northwestern. Do I need to let you know this?
If you will not be registering for classes, please contact the Registrar's office at onlinereg@northwestern.edu.
I have moved since I received my letter of admission. How do I change my address with you?
Please notify us in writing of any changes to your application. Email (to scsadmissions@northwestern.edu) is acceptable.
When will I get more information on registration?
Registration information will be included in your admission packet.
Where can I get information on the classes being offered?
Class offerings are listed online within the specific program: www.scs.northwestern.edu/grad/courses/.
How many classes may I take per quarter?
Students generally take one or two units of credit per quarter , but may take up to four.
Financial
Aid
Are part-time students considered for financial
aid?
Students in master's degree programs may qualify
for federal or private loans. Federal loan eligibility is
usually limited to students taking at least two units of
credit in the quarter for which they receive aid. As at most
universities, Northwestern University aid, assistantships,
and stipends are reserved for Ph.D. and MFA candidates.
Graduate students should direct their financial aid questions to the Chicago Office of Financial Aid at http://chicagofinancialaid.northwestern.edu/ or (312) 503-8722.
What about the FAFSA (Free Application
for Federal Student Aid) form? [The FAFSA pertains only
to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.]
The FAFSA form is not required as part of your application,
but we encourage all U.S. citizens and permanent residents
to complete the FAFSA if they would like to be considered
for any loans. The FAFSA form may be completed on line at
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Career
Does the School of Continuing Studies offer career
placement assistance for Graduates?
All graduate students are encouraged to take advantage
of Northwestern University's Career Placement Office
and its services. Additionally, the School of Continuing
Studies provides its own career workshops for SCS students
throughout the year. These workshops offer students practical
information and advice regarding their future career intentions.
Campus Safety
Where can I find a copy of Northwestern's Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics?
As provided by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, now known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, you are entitled to request and receive a copy of Northwestern University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This Report includes statistics for the previous 3 years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Northwestern University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus. The Report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies on drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, fire safety and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this Report by contacting the Northwestern University Police Department Deputy Chief at (847) 491-3256. The Report can also be accessed and printed from the University Police website.
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