The acceptance rate at Northwestern is 9%. It ranks #2 in Illinois and #13 in the nation for lowest rate of acceptance. Northwestern is extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance - even for applicants with the highest scores and grades. Last year, 3,654 out of 39,263 applicants were admitted.
The school has exceptionally high admission requirements for SAT and ACT scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 2 percent (SAT 1430/1550 ACT 33/35). Northwestern University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.92. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 52% enrolled. With over half of admitted students enrolling, acceptance by Northwestern University is a prized outcome for many students.
The Northwestern application fee is $75 and applications are due by Jan 1.
You are required to submit admission test scores with your application. Northwestern University is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.
SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
SAT Reading 25th | 700 |
SAT Math 25th | 730 |
SAT Composite 25th | 1430 |
SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
SAT Reading 75th | 760 |
SAT Math 75th | 790 |
SAT Composite 75th | 1550 |
Average SAT Score | 1490
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What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Northwestern University?
Northwestern University typically prefers applicants to be in the top 3 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1430 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 1370. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1490 out of 1600. Northwestern ranks #2 in Illinois and #21 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score. 45 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting classEngage with counselors on a personal level to demonstrate your interest in their school and get answers to all of your admissions-related questions.
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ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
ACT Reading 25th | 34 |
ACT Math 25th | 31 |
ACT Composite 25th | 33 |
ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
---|---|
ACT Reading 75th | 36 |
ACT Math 75th | 35 |
ACT Composite 75th | 35 |
Average ACT Score | 34
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What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Northwestern?
Admission data indicates that Northwestern regularly accepts students with ACT's of 33 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 2 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 32 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 34 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 35 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #2 in Illinois and #8 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 65 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Northwestern University.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2020 starting classWhat GPA do you need to get into Northwestern University?
Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into Northwestern. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Northwestern University was 3.92 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #3 in Illinois for highest average GPA. Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Northwestern extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.92 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.92 GPA.
*This school has not released high school GPA data for its incoming freshmen. In these cases, CollegeSimply employs an artificial intelligence (AI) process to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of other colleges' data. 3.92 is an estimate of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.
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96% of Northwestern University freshman were in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class.
High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
---|---|
Top 10% of class | 96% |
Top 25% of class | 0% |
Top 50% of class | 0% |
Women | Men | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Applied | 20,273 | 18,990 | 39,263 |
Accepted | 1,984 | 1,670 | 3,654 |
Acceptance Rate | 10% | 9% | 9% |
Enrolled | 1,034 | 867 | 1,901 |
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 52% | 52% | 52% |
The application deadline for Fall 2022 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 1, 2022.
The cost for prospective students to apply to Northwestern University is $75.
What are the requirements for admission to Northwestern University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test Scores | Required |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Class Rank | Recommended |
Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
Recommendations | Required |
Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
AP Credit | Yes |
Dual Credit | Yes |
Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147767 IPEDS survey data for Northwestern University.
45% of students submit their SAT scores to Northwestern. 65% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
9% of those who apply are granted admission to Northwestern. Admission competition is extreme and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1430 and 1550. 45% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 33 and 35. 65% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.