Eligibility and Applying
Studying abroad is a serious academic endeavor, and students who wish to study abroad must meet several criteria. If you do not meet these criteria, you can discuss your options with your College Adviser.
Eligibility
The Global Learning Office maintains detailed information about Northwestern’s eligibility requirements for study abroad and the admission standards of programs that may interest you. Generally, students should have:
- a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;
- a declared major;
- a well thought-out academic rationale for studying abroad;
- a plan for meeting any language requirement for the program prior to the time of departure.
Students should also be making good progress on their major and other Weinberg requirements.
Application process
Most students who wish to study abroad must complete two separate applications: the Northwestern application and the application for the program itself.
- The online Northwestern application is long. An adviser in any declared major or minor and your College Adviser must approve your plans, even if you do not plan to take courses toward that major or minor.
- Completed applications are evaluated by the Global Learning Office. Deadlines for applications are firm, so you should plan to complete yours well in advance.
The Global Learning Office has an application checklist to guide you through the process.
International students studying at home
Effective summer 2016, international students studying in their home country on a non-Northwestern program during the summer or the academic year may be exempt from applying for permission to study abroad through the Global Learning Office. Refer to the Global Learning Office website for information about the "home country exemption" for international students and to the Registrar's Office website for information about transfer credit processes.