Although Northwestern University has a very low acceptance rate for high school applicants, most who apply are left disappointed. However, there is still hope for those who want to attend school! The transfer applicant acceptance rate is much higher than that of freshman applicants.
If you’re looking to transfer to Northwestern, this blog post will provide you with the acceptance rate and other key information you may be looking for.
Northwestern 2023-2024 Transfer Acceptance Rate
Out of 3,507 transfer applicants in the fall of 2023, Northwestern University accepted 44 individuals, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 1.3% for the 2023-2024 application year.
Northwestern 2022-2023 Transfer Acceptance Rate
In the 2022-2023 transfer cycle at Northwestern University, there were 3,264 applicants, and the university admitted 423 of them, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 13%.
Northwestern 2021-2022 Transfer Acceptance Rate
2,965 people applied to transfer to Northwestern in the fall of 2021; of those applicants, 387 were accepted. Thus, this past fall, Northwestern’s transfer acceptance rate was 13%.
To get an accurate indication of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, you must also look at the historical data. In the case of Northwestern – their rate has been steady at around 15% for the past five years.
Northwestern Transfer Writing Supplement
When applying as a transfer student to Northwestern, you must complete the Common App essay using one of the given prompts. This task showcases your aptitude to write both clearly and concisely on a chosen topic, helping you stand out from other applicants.
This year common app prompts include:
- “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”
- “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”
- “Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?”
- “Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.”
- “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”
- “Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”
- “Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.”
Moreover, you have the opportunity to write a supplement explaining your reasons for transferring to Northwestern.
The supplemental prompt is as follows: “In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.”
Northwestern Transfer Overview
The Northwestern campus in Evanston, Illinois, is only a short distance from the bustling city of Chicago. The Windy City has no shortage of social and cultural attractions for all types of students, making it the perfect place to attend school.
Northwestern is the perfect school for transfer students who want to pursue interdisciplinary studies. With a wide range of degree programs available, Northwestern offers something for everyone.
An eligible transfer student must have completed at least 24 semester hours (or 36 quarter hours) of college coursework. Additionally, they be in good academic and behavioral standing at their current institution when they enroll in the fall semester.
Furthermore, prospective students who desire to transfer should earn at least a B (3.0) average. However, we’ve found that students with a 3.8 GPA or higher tend to be the most successful at transferring.
The application deadline is March 15th. Admissions decisions for Northwestern transfer students are made on a rolling basis, with no one notification date.
Is Northwestern University Need-Blind or Need-Aware for US Transfer Students?
Northwestern University is need-blind for domestic students. This means that the university does not take into account an applicant’s financial situation when making admissions decisions. Students are admitted based solely on their academic and personal achievements, without regard to their ability to pay for their education. This policy ensures that all qualified domestic students, regardless of their financial background, have the opportunity to attend Northwestern University.
Is Northwestern University Need-Blind or Need-Aware for International Transfer Students?
Financial aid is not available for international students applying to transfer to Northwestern University.
Should You Apply to Northwestern as a Transfer Student?
While Northwestern is a selective school, they do admit 300+ transfer students each year. So, it is certainly possible to get in if you have strong credentials.
Northwestern University’s success in the rankings is due largely to its status as a premier research institution nationwide.
There are many great transfer options for students who want to focus on a specific field of study, including Northwestern. However, for students with a broad range of interests, Northwestern is the ideal school – encouraging an interdisciplinary approach to studies.
Another important part of the college experience is the campus environment. If you’re looking for a diverse student population, you’ll be interested in Northwestern, where there are students from all different kinds of backgrounds. If Northwestern isn’t the school for you, you might want to consider Georgetown. In our article here, we have compiled Georgetowns transfer acceptance rate, decision dates and more.
At the end of the day, if you have solid credentials, we encourage you to apply to Northwestern’s transfer program. If you need help with your application reach out to us here at Transfer Goat to see how we can help you stand out amongst your peers!