International Non-degree Students

Self-sponsored international students (not part of any official exchange program) who wish to attend Northwestern University as Non-Degree Seeking Students may enter the US in F-1 status provided they have been admitted to a full-time program or course of study.

Applications will be reviewed only after the Office of Special Students has received a completed application, all transcripts, and the application fee. All materials must be received by the respective deadline in order to be considered. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for the following term, if the applicant so requests. If the applicant is accepted, a formal letter of acceptance, registration materials, and visa documents will be mailed via Federal Express within six to eight weeks. Applications and transcripts should be sent to:

Office of Special Students
Summer Session and Special Programs
Northwestern University
405 Church Street
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: (847) 491-3443
Fax: (847) 491-3660
Email: ndss@northwestern.edu

International Non-degree Student application requirements:

1. Completed International Non-degree Special Student Application (PDF Format)
2. Completed International Student Visa Document Request (ISVDR) and all required documentation. This form is available on the International Office website. Follow the link to "New Students/Student Visa Information" to access the ISVDR.
3. Official university transcripts in the language in which they were issued, bearing the stamp or seal of the issuing department or faculty
4. Certified English translations of transcripts, bearing the stamp or seal of the issuing department or faculty (applicants may not certify their own translation)
5. TOEFL score report showing a score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), or 100 (Internet version) or higher. Scores are valid for two years.
6. Statement of purpose (one page typed, double-spaced) stating clearly why you wish to attend Northwestern as a NDSS
7. $70 non-refundable application fee (Check or money order only, payable to Northwestern University. Checks must be drawn on a US bank in US funds. DO NOT SEND CASH.)

International Application Deadlines for the 2009-2010 Academic Year:

Tuition and Fees:

2009-2010 tuition for Non-Degree Special Students is $4,518 per course (1 credit unit). Certain courses that are worth more than one credit unit are indicated as such in the quarterly class schedule. Students may also be responsible for applicable student fees. Rates are subject to change without notice, and increases should be expected in subsequent years. Please visit the Student Financial Services website for updated tuition and fee rates.

Registration Procedures:

1. Approved NDSS applications are forwarded to the Office of the Registrar for activation.
2. NDSS registration takes place during the Change of Registration period only. Students register using a Registration Exception form, which will be included with their formal acceptance letter. A department permission number must be obtained for each class in which the NDSS intends to register. Students are responsible for contacting the department offering the course(s) to obtain this permission number.
3. To obtain an International Student Visa, international students must be registered as full-time students (3 or more courses per quarter).
4. The quarterly class schedule and course descriptions and are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

Adds, Drops, and Withdrawals:

Students who have registered for a course are considered enrolled for the duration, and are expected to attend all sessions of the courses for which they are registered. Excessive absences do not signal a student's intent to drop or withdraw, and may be cause for failure in the course. If a student does formally drop or withdraw, the student is responsible to pay any tuition balance remaining on the account, according to the refund schedule determined by Northwestern University Student Financial Services. Students wishing to change their registration in any way - by adding or dropping a course - must do so through the Office of the Registrar. Do not send correspondence regarding adds, drops, and withdrawals to the course instructor or to the Office of Student Accounts.

Entrance Health Requirements:

Full-time (3 or more classes) and half-time (2 classes) students at Northwestern are required to meet entrance health requirements. Part-time (1 class) students are not required to fulfill these requirements. This includes submitting the Admission Health Record and proof of immunizations as required by the State of Illinois. Non-degree Special Students are responsible for complying with these requirements. Please visit the Northwestern University Health Services website for links to frequently asked questions concerning the entrance health requirements and to access necessary forms.

Student Health Insurance:

New entering and returning full time students must have health insurance throughout their academic studies when registered full-time. Full-time students are required to complete the Web-based Coverage Selection Form to either elect or decline the insurance that Northwestern University offers through the Aetna Student Health Benefit Planning Insurance Agency. Please visit the Northwestern University Health Services website for links to information concerning the student health insurance requirement and to access necessary forms.

Useful Resources for International Students

Northwestern University's International Office provides information about visas, housing, meal plans, health services, travel, banking and pre-arrival information. All international students are required to register with the International Office upon arrival to Northwestern University. Please contact:

International Office
Northwestern University
630 Dartmouth Place
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: 847/491-5613
Fax: 847/467-2147
Email: intoff@northwestern.edu
Web: www.northwestern.edu/international/

For more information on what Northwestern has to offer, please see http://www.northwestern.edu/student/index.html