Application Review Process
Study abroad is an opportunity available to all Northwestern undergraduate students, subject first to a review and approval process at Northwestern. All student must apply through the GLO Application Portal.
In most cases, approval for study abroad is a two-step process.
- Applications are reviewed by Northwestern GLO staff first. It takes up to 6 weeks for Northwestern to review submitted applications.
- If you are approved, you may then proceed with an application to your program of choice.
A GLO adviser will contact you during the review process if:
- Your application is incomplete
- You have applied to any programs for which you are ineligible
- They any questions about your application or study abroad plans. These will be communicated to you via email through the GLO Portal.
Each program has its own application requirements and selection criteria, which may differ from Northwestern's. General information about the review and selection process by program type is provided below.
Review and Selection: Partner & Independent Programs
Review Process & Timeline
For partner and independent programs, you must submit two applications: your Northwestern study abroad application and a program application (which you can find on your program provider's website). You must have approval from both Northwestern and the program provider to be eligible to participate. Note: it can take up to 6 weeks for GLO to review applications once submitted, although most are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Admission Criteria
This varies by program. During review of your GLO application, advisers will verify that you meet the program’s eligibility criteria, as well as Northwestern’s eligibility requirements for study abroad.
What are my chances of being accepted?
If you meet the program’s and Northwestern’s eligibility criteria, then Northwestern will grant approval for you to participate in that program. It is ultimately up to your program to offer admission. Northwestern students tend to have high success rates in getting admitted to partner and independent programs, but admission is not guaranteed. Refer to your program page for any notes regarding program competitiveness, and also be sure to heed deadlines. It may be to your advantage to apply early.
Review and Selection: Northwestern Programs
Review Process & Timeline
For Northwestern Programs during the academic year and summer, you only need to submit one application. Admission decisions are based on the application you submit through the GLO Portal, and decisions are communicated about 2 weeks after the application deadline. Applications are not reviewed on a rolling basis.
Admission Criteria
The application review process is thorough and takes the complete application – including your personal statement, academic plan, graduation year, and other factors – into consideration. Students are selected based on how closely their background and goals fit with what the program offers.
Review the Application Rubric for a list of selection criteria that factor in to the admission process for Northwestern programs, along with descriptions of what is considered high (4) and low (1) levels of alignment with program requirements and expectations. Not all criteria are given equal weight.
What are my chances of being accepted?
Some Northwestern programs have no maximum enrollment capacity, so as long as students meet Northwestern’s eligibility requirements for study abroad, they will be admitted. However, many Northwestern programs have limited enrollment capacity. If these programs receive more applications than space available, admission will be competitive, and some students may be waitlisted or not approved. Refer to your program brochure for any notes regarding program competitiveness.
Review and Selection: Exchange Programs
Review Process & Timeline
For exchange programs you must submit two applications: the Northwestern study abroad application and an application to your host institution after you have been approved and nominated by Northwestern. Approval decisions are based on the application you submit through the GLO Portal, and decisions are communicated about 2 weeks after the application deadline. Applications are not reviewed on a rolling basis.
Admission Criteria
The application review process is thorough and takes the complete application – including your personal statement, academic plan, graduation year, and other factors – into consideration. Students are selected based on how closely their background and goals fit with what the program offers.
Review the Application Rubric for a list of selection criteria that factor in to the admission process for exchanges, along with descriptions of what is considered high (4) and low (1) levels of alignment with program requirements and expectations. Not all criteria are given equal weight. Note that many exchange programs have a higher GPA requirement than the 2.5 GPA requirement required by Northwestern.
What are my chances of being accepted?
Exchange programs are reciprocal, so for every inbound student from a partner university who comes to Northwestern, Northwestern is able to send a student outbound. For most exchange programs, as long as you are approved and nominated by Northwestern, you will be able to participate. However, if there are more outbound than inbound students, then there may be limited spaces for Northwestern students. Also, for a few exchange programs, admission by the partner university is not guaranteed. Refer to your program page for any notes regarding program competitiveness.
Guide to Northwestern Application Statuses
You will receive an automated email from the GLO Portal when the review of your GLO application has been completed. Below is a general guide to the meaning of application statuses. Northwestern’s approval decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
- Approved - This means that you have been approved by Northwestern to participate in a partner, independent, or exchange program. Northwestern approval does not guarantee admission to partner, independent, or exchange programs.
- Accepted - This means that you have been offered admission to a Northwestern, Partner Consortium, or Global Practicum program.
- Waitlisted - This means that the program to which you have applied received more applications than the spaces available on that program, and you are on a waitlist. If a space becomes available, students will be notified in the order of the waitlist. Students have 2 weeks after their approval notification to accept their spot and spaces will be released to students on the waitlist as/if students decline their spot.
- Not Approved - This status is used in cases where a student does not meet Northwestern or program eligibility for study abroad. Not Approved may also be used when there is such high demand for a program that we are unable to waitlist all applicants who applied. Since you can only apply to one program per term, it is important that you review information about your programs carefully to ensure that you meet eligibility criteria.