While we occasionally admit graduate students to begin in January or at other times during the year, we strongly encourage students to apply for fall admission. This timing provides the most flexibility in advisor selection. We generally do not accept students from other Ph.D. programs. Experience and potential are evaluated largely through the letters of recommendation and the statement of purpose. We encourage all accepted U.S. students to visit Northwestern prior to making a decision about the offer.
Most students visit during one of two group visits in the spring.
For 2001 these visits are scheduled for March 9 and March 30. Northwestern will pay for all or most of the expenses associated with these visits. The purpose of these visits is not to formally accept a research advisor, but to get enough information so that you can make an informed choice about which graduate school to attend. As a foreign student, I cannot visit Northwestern prior to making my decision. In addition, we have recently established a student mentoring system, where accepted international students are put in contact with current graduate students from within the department.