Skip to main content

Important Dates

As a new Northwestern student, you'll need to keep track of these key dates and complete the required documents or forms. Please note that dates might differ based on the round to which you applied, so be sure to check the appropriate tab below.

Immediately

  • Activate NetID and set up Northwestern email account.

March/April

  • If applicable, view financial aid award in your Application Status Portal.

Before May 1

  • Say "Yes!" via our online enrollment reply form and submit applicable nonrefundable deposit for tuition ($400).

Before June 1

  • If you included SAT or ACT scores as part of your application, confirm that Northwestern has received official scores to match your highest self-reported section scores. 
  • Complete online housing contract.
  • Submit disciplinary disclosure form.
  • Review Purple Prep materials, including the New Student Checklist and orientation information.

June

  • Ensure your high school sends your final transcript.
  • Submit Wildcat Welcome information form for orientation attendance.
  • Receive information about student health insurance.

Before July 1

  • Submit health records.

July

  • Receive communications about your peer adviser group.

August

  • Receive ahousing email with room assignment.

September

Within 1 week of receiving offer of admission

  • Activate NetID and set up Northwestern email account.
  • Say "Yes!" via our online enrollment reply form and submit applicable nonrefundable deposit for tuition ($400).
  • Submit disciplinary disclosure form.

As soon as possible

  • If you included SAT or ACT scores as part of your application, confirm that Northwestern has received official scores to match your highest self-reported section scores. 
  • Complete online housing contract.
  • Review Purple Prep materials, including the New Student Checklist and orientation information.

Before July 1

  • Ensure your school sends your final high school transcript.
  • Submit Wildcat Welcome information form for orientation attendance.
  • Receive information about student health insurance.
  • Submit health records.

July

  • Receive communications about your peer adviser group.

August

  • Receive a housing email with room assignment.

September

Within 3 weeks of preliminary transfer credit evaluation

  • Activate NetID and set up Northwestern email account.
  • If applicable, view your financial aid award in the Applicant Status Portal.
  • Say "Yes!" via our online enrollment reply form and submit applicable nonrefundable deposit for tuition ($400).
  • Submit disciplinary disclosure form.

As soon as possible

  • Carry out instructions from your Northwestern school and the Office of the Registrar regarding advising and transcript review.
  • Complete online housing contract.

Before July 1

  • Review Purple Prep materials, including the New Student Checklist and orientation information.
  • Submit Wildcat Welcome information form for orientation attendance.
  • If you included SAT or ACT scores as part of your application, confirm that Northwestern has received official scores to match your highest self-reported section scores. 
  • Ensure your school sends your final college transcript.
  •  
  • Submit health records.

July

  • Receive communications about your peer adviser group.

August

  • Receive a housing email with room assignment.

September

February 15

  • Request your counselor or school official to send the transcript of your first-term grades (if applicable).

Before June 1

  • If you included SAT or ACT scores as part of your application, confirm that Northwestern has received official scores to match your highest self-reported section/composite scores. Your official standardized test scores are required in order for you to attend orientation, move into campus housing and register for classes. You can check to see which standardized test scores we have received via your Applicant Status Portal.
  • Northwestern requires incoming undergraduates to disclose criminal history and certain school disciplinary violations. Enrolling students will need to submit the disciplinary disclosure form by June 1 via the Applicant Status Portal. This form will be required for you to attend orientation, move into your residence hall, and register for classes.

  • To request an enrollment deferral, you must first confirm your enrollment. Once confirmed, you will be able to view and access a form to request a deferral on your Applicant Status Portal. Proposals for deferred enrollment are due by June 1.

  • Requests for a school change require approval by the Dean of Undergraduate Admission. Each request is considered individually and is contingent upon the space available in each school. To request a school change, you must first confirm your enrollment. Once confirmed, you will be able to view and access a form to request a school change on your Applicant Status Portal.

  • More information on receiving credit for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate scores, including submission guidelines, can be found on the website of the Office of the Registrar.

  • Complete online housing contract.
  • Review Purple Prep materials, including summer checklist and orientation information.

June

  • Request your counselor or school representative to send your official final high school transcript. Your high school can submit your final transcript online through the Common Application website using its Final Report form or the Coalition Application website until July 1. Your high school can also mail official transcripts directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission or email them directly to ug-admission@northwestern.edu. Your high school must submit your official transcripts no later than August 1.
  • Submit Wildcat Welcome information form for orientation attendance.
  • Receive information about student health insurance.

Before July 1

  • Submit health records.

July

  • Receive communications about peer adviser group.

August

  • Receive housing email with room assignment.
  • Your high school must submit your official transcripts as soon as they become available, but no later than August 1. Your final high school transcript, complete with graduation date, is required in order for you to attend orientation, move into your residence hall and register for classes.

September

  • Arrive on campus for Wildcat Welcome, our student orientation week (September 9–14). More information about dates for Wildcat Welcome programming can be found on Student Transition Experiences' Important Dates page.
  • Classes begin on September 16, 2025.