Graduate work can help you define and advance your career or pivot to a new industry.Graduate work can help you define and advance your career or pivot to a new industry.

Graduate Study
Admissions

Thank you for considering the McCormick School of Engineering for your graduate education.

Please note: The information provided on this page is for applicants applying to programs offered through The Graduate School at Northwestern University.

Applicants to the following programs offered directly through the McCormick School of Engineering, should refer to their program's website for application instructions as they vary by program.

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How to Apply

Each McCormick department handles its own recruitment and admissions processes separately. Please visit the website for your program of interest, discover our areas of study, or request a customized graduate program guide for more information about your program’s requirements.

PhD Applicants

PhD applications administered by The Graduate School at Northwestern all use the same online application.

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Master's Degree Applicants

Applicants to the following programs should apply through The Graduate School, using their online application.

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics
  • Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Engineering Design and Innovation
  • Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
  • Predictive Science and Engineering Design
  • Graduate Minor in Engineering Management
  • Graduate Minor in Entrepreneurship

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Application Process and Deadlines

The following guidelines apply only to students applying through The Graduate School at Northwestern for their PhD or Master's program.

For PhD and departmental master's programs, the Apply Yourself online application website opens in September each year.

You may begin your online application at that time. During the process you may save your work and delay submission of the application and payment of the application fee until closer to the deadline.

If your goal is a PhD degree, apply for PhD admission. If you are not successful as a PhD applicant, it may be possible for us to consider you for admission to a master’s program.

Very few of our new PhD students have a master’s degree, and a master’s is not required for PhD admission.

View our Application FAQs page for more information

PhD Deadlines

The deadline for PhD programs are as follows:

  • Biomedical Engineering: December 9
  • Chemical and Biological Engineering: December 15
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering: December 15
  • Computer Science: December 1
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering: December 15
  • Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics: December 31
  • Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences: December 5
  • Materials Science and Engineering: December 15
  • Mechanical Engineering: December 15
  • Theoretical and Applied Mechanics: December 15
  • Applied Physics: December 15

Master’s Deadlines

MS application deadlines vary by department and are later in the year. Please refer to the specific department or program to which you’re applying for its particular application deadline.

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Required Application Materials

Required application materials include:

  • Your resume or CV
  • A statement of purpose
  • Recommendations
  • Your GRE test scores (not required for 2023 admissions)
  • Academic transcripts
  • English proficiency requirements for international students:
    • TOEFL exam,
    • IELTS exam, or
    • a BS or MS degree from an institution where English is the language of instruction

View our Graduate Application Checklist for details about all required application materials

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Once You’re Admitted

PhD Students

Admitted PhD students have until April 15 to accept or decline the offer of admission. Those residing in the United States are invited to campus in late winter. We help with the expenses of your travel to Evanston.

Master’s Students

Admitted MS students typically have until August to accept or decline an offer of admission. Please refer to acceptance materials for details.

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Questions?

Feel free to contact the department or program staff or contact the Office of Graduate Studies.