Summer Academic Workshop
Northwestern University's Summer Academic Workshop (SAW) is a 3-week program taking place right before Wildcat Welcome. SAW is facilitated by Student Enrichment Services, in partnership with the Cook Family Writing Program and the School of Communication. During SAW, participants take part in co-curricular workshops and events curated for incoming first-year students. Participants also earn course credit through the Cook Family Writing Program and the School of Communication. All co-curricular workshops and events complement what students learn in class and provide them with a wealth of resources for navigating college life.
SAW is Completely Free
SAW is an all-cost covered program—including housing, meals, tuition, afternoon workshops, and weekend social opportunities. Students live together in a campus residence hall and experience Northwestern life under the mentorship of six upper-class peer counselors. Participants also move into their permanent residence hall earlier than the regular move-in date for incoming students. Air travel for students living more than a 3-hour drive (about 150 miles) from campus will be arranged and paid for by SAW.
Important Dates
- Application Open: Week of May 11, 2026
- Application Deadline: Sunday, May 31, 2026
- SAW Move In: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- SAW Program Concludes: Friday, September 11, 2026
Eligibility
SAW is open to incoming, undergraduate students in the Class of 2030, who reside in the United States.
Participant Restrictions
- Participation in other Northwestern summer programs/activities
- SAW participants are unable to participate in SAW if they are planning to or already committed to programs/activities that overlap with SAW program dates: Saturday, August 22-Friday, September 11, 2026. Programs that overlapped with SAW in past years include, but are not limited to:
- Marching Band
- Bridge Program
- SAW will also prioritize applicants who are not already committed to another summer program (i.e. Bio&ChemEXCEL, HODGE Excel), in order for all incoming students to have the opportunity to participate in at least one of the summer programs at Northwestern.
- SAW participants are unable to participate in SAW if they are planning to or already committed to programs/activities that overlap with SAW program dates: Saturday, August 22-Friday, September 11, 2026. Programs that overlapped with SAW in past years include, but are not limited to:
- Non-SAW Commitments
- SAW participants should not plan any trips home or plan to miss any SAW programming from Saturday, August 22-Friday, September 11, 2026. Exceptions will be made on case-by-case basis as we know life events can impact participation.
Participate in SAW
The 2026 SAW Application will open the week of May 11th. Head to the SAW Participant Application page to learn about the application process
The SAW application will close on Sunday, May 31st. If you have any immediate questions, please email SAW@northwestern.edu