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Getting Started

To participate in the undergraduate exchange program at Northwestern University, you must complete the following steps.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

The undergraduate exchange program is open to students who have completed at least one year of university study and come from one of Northwestern's partner universities.

Students from universities that are not exchange partners with Northwestern are not eligible to study at Northwestern as visiting undergraduate students, unless they come during summer session. You may also consider applying to Northwestern as a full-time student via the regular admission process.

Step 2: Be selected and nominated by your home university

Before you can apply to Northwestern, you must be selected and nominated by your home institution to participate in the exchange program. Contact the study abroad or international exchange office at your home university for details.

Step 3: Complete your application

Once you have been nominated, you must complete Northwestern's exchange program application. You will receive detailed instructions about the application process after your nomination is received, but the application will include the following:

  • Personal and academic information
  • Intended term(s) of study at Northwestern
  • Preliminary course plan, listing courses in which you plan to enroll during your time at Northwestern. For more information about academics and course options, visit the choosing courses page.
  • Personal Statement (500 words, in English) outlining your motivations for studying at Northwestern.
  • Official university transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS scores or a letter from your home university.

Refer to the box (right) to see when the application will open for your intended term of entry and when it will be due.

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