According to the Northwestern Admissions Committee, admission to the institution as a transfer student is quite competitive; typically Northwestern transfer acceptance rate is less than 15%.
By Northwestern’s definition, a transfer student must have completed a full year of college coursework by the time they enroll in the fall semester – meaning they must have earned a minimum of 24 semester hours (or 36 quarters) and are in good academic and behavioral standing at the institution, which they are currently visiting.
While no statistics are available for transfer students alone, the profile of the Class of 2025 reveals a competitive pool of applicants.
In the 2021-2022 academic year, Northwestern enrolled 2,086 freshmen with an overall acceptance rate of 7%, and approximately half of those students were accepted on an Early Decision basis.
Why Choose Northwestern University?
Northwestern is very good at challenging its students with a variety of academic courses and sequences. The teaching staff is very attentive to the needs of the students and it is easy to meet with the teachers to discuss any questions or comments related to the coursework.
The social atmosphere is huge; there are dozens of student groups and organizations, and while it may seem overwhelming, everyone finds their niche.
Northwestern has an academic reputation, and it lives up to it. Courses at Northwestern are manageable but still challenging. Full-time students usually take 3-5 classes per quarter, so it’s relatively easy.
It is a little more difficult for students of natural science faculties or journalists, because in addition to regular classes, they need to conduct additional laboratory classes.
The most difficult part is managing the quarterly system; quarters are 10 weeks long, which means the pace is much faster than at school during semesters. It just takes some getting used to, especially since exams tend to sneak up on you.
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Is Northwestern University Hard To Get Into?
Northwestern’s acceptance rate is 9.1%. Only 9 are accepted for every 100 applicants.This means that the school is extremely selective.
Meeting the GPA and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to pass the first round of filters and prove your academic preparation. If you don’t meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is almost zero.
Once you clear that hurdle, you’ll need to impress Northwestern’s application readers with other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Northwestern received 4,411 early decision applications, of which it offered admission to 1,105 applicants. Northwestern roughly 25% early decision rate is significantly higher than its overall acceptance rate.
Getting into a prestigious institution with an incredibly low acceptance rate like Northwestern is extremely difficult, but your chances vary depending on the level of your profile.
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What Is Northwestern Acceptance Rate?
Northwestern University is a highly selective university, accepting only about 1 in 10 students who apply. In 2021, Northwestern accepted 9.7% of prospective students, making it one of the most selective transfer colleges in the United States.
Northwestern University is one of the few universities in the US that offers a quarter session. Northwestern University is considered one of the most selective universities with an acceptance rate of 9%. In 2020, out of over 37,000 applications received, only about 3,300 of them were accepted.
Northwestern University offers more than 130 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, focusing on 83 majors in 23 broad areas of study through 10 schools. Notably, the class profile also shows that 73% of undergraduate students combine more than two fields of study.
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What Is Northwestern Transfer Acceptance Rate?
Northwestern University accepted 2,069 transfer applicants. The school accepted 316 students. Therefore, the transfer acceptance rate for Northwestern University is 15.27%. This shows how difficult it is to transfer to Northwestern University.
If you entered college after high school, you must apply as a transfer student. Successful transfer applicants typically arrive at Northwestern having completed at least one full-time academic year of college (24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours).
You are eligible to apply to transfer at the completion of one year of college, provided you complete this coursework by the beginning of the semester in which you plan to enroll. You must be in good standing and eligible to continue your studies at your most recent institution.
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Northwestern Transfer Acceptance Rate by Major
In its 2022-23 freshman class, Northwestern enrolled 7 percent of the 51,554 who applied in the 2021-22 admissions cycle. That’s down significantly from the 9.3% acceptance rate two years ago.
- Econometrics and quantitative economics11.5%
- Journalism5.2%
- Psychology4.8%
- Neuroscience4.7%
- Political science and government4.2%
- Radio and television3.5%
- Speech communication and rhetoric3.5%
- Computer science3.3%
- Drama and dramatics/theatre arts3.2%
- Biology/biological sciences3.2%
Northwestern University Admission Requirements
The university offers a choice of several majors and minors. The most popular undergraduate programs at Northwestern University are Economics, Psychology, Communication and Journalism, Political Science and Government, and Journalism.
- App Portal: Common application
- Registration Fee: $75
- Official high school transcripts and school reports
- Consultant recommendation
- Letter of recommendation from at least one faculty member
- Early Settlement Agreement
- Statement for six months
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Northwestern University Transfer Requirements
- Minimum GPA: A minimum college GPA of 3.00 is required of transfer applicants.
- Official Transcripts: Both high school and college official transcripts are required for admissions consideration.
- SAT Scores: Standardized test scores are required for admission consideration.
- Letters of Recommendation: A statement of good standing from a previous institution(s) is required for admission consideration.
- Essay: An essay or personal statement must be written to be considered for admission.
- Registration Fee: Registration fee of $65. Interview: No interview is required for admission consideration
What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Northwestern University?
The average GPA for Northwestern is 3.92 on a 4-point scale. To get that high of a GPA, you need an “A” high school grade. If you know you’re not getting that much of a GPA, focus on getting more SAT/ACT scores.
While there are no statistics on the average GPA of an admitted transfer student, the Class of 2024 profile shows the average SAT and ACT scores of the middle 50% of admitted students (not transfer-only).
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What Are The Deadlines?
Early Decision
- Application for Admission-November 1
- Admission Decision- December 15
Regular Decision
- Application for Admission- January 2
- Admission Decision – April 1
- Candidate’s Reply – May 1
What Are The Decision Dates?
Early decision
If you did good research in college and would like to get into Northwestern next fall, then Early Decision (ED) may be a good option for you. Applicants who choose ED send a strong, positive message to Northwestern.
Given the high level of interest from early applicants and the academic and personal strength we see in our early pool, our ED acceptance rate is typically higher than the Standard Decision (RD) rate.
As with all traditional ED plans, you agree to withdraw all applications to other colleges and enroll at Northwestern if accepted.
Regular Decision
Most students apply to Northwestern through Common Decision, which allows them to potentially consider multiple offers of admission and financial aid.
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How to apply to Northwestern University
Northwestern’s transfer acceptance rate is higher than many other top schools, making it a great option for transfer students.
The process of transferring to Northwestern University is relatively simple. First, you will need to apply. Make sure you include all required materials, such as transcripts and SAT/ACT scores.
Once your application has been reviewed, you will be notified of the decision. If you’re accepted, you’ll need to complete a few more steps before enrolling at Northwestern.
These steps include submitting your final transcript and completing the student application form. Once you receive these items, you can officially enroll at Northwestern University!
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Conclusion
Northwestern fall 2019 transfer acceptance rate was 21.5%. This means that out of 100 applicants, only 22 were accepted. However, keep in mind that transfer acceptance rates vary from year to year. For example, in 2018, the level of transfer acceptance in the North-West region was 24.9%.
To increase your chances of being accepted to Northwestern University, make sure you have a good academic record. The average GPA of transfer students is 3.7. Additionally, take challenging courses and participate in extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school.
Northwestern Transfer Acceptance Rate 2023 FAQs
What Are The Deadlines For Northwestern Transfer Applications?
Transfer application deadlines differ depending on whether you are applying for fall or winter admission. The deadline for autumn admission is June 1, and for winter admission is until November 1. However, it is always best to apply as early as possible as places fill up quickly.
What is Northwestern SAT score requirements?
Northwestern University is a very competitive school in terms of scoring requirements. The 25th percentile for Northwestern’s SAT is 1440. This means that just under 25% of admitted students score below 1440. The 75th percentile for Northwestern’s SAT score is 1550. This means that approximately 75% of admitted students scored below 1550.
How Much Is Northwestern Tuition Per Year?
Northwestern’s transfer tuition is $52,490 per year. This is a significant investment, but remember that Northwestern is one of the best schools in the country. The high cost of attendance is worth it if you can get into and succeed at such a prestigious university.
What is Northwestern ACT Score Requirements?
Northwestern’s 25th percentile composite ACT score is 33 and the 75th percentile is 35. NWU has no minimum score requirements. However, a score lower than the 25th percentile will make it harder for you to qualify for admission. The ACT composite score is the average of all 4 section scores. To get the desired overall score, you need to score approximately the desired score in each section.
References
- educationscientists.com –  Northwestern University Transfer Acceptance Rate
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