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Inter-School Transfer (IST)

Policies for undergraduate inter-school transfer

Deadlines 2024-25

Inter-school transfer deadlines
Term First day
to apply
Last day to submit completed IST application (through step 3 below)
Fall 2024 September 24, 2024 12 pm (noon) October 18, 2024
Winter 2025 January 6, 2025 12 pm (noon) January 31, 2025
Spring 2025 April 1, 2025 12 pm (noon) April 26, 2025

 
Procedure for inter-school transfer (IST)

  1. Complete and submit the online Application for Undergraduate Inter-School Transfer. You and your current school will receive an email confirming the successful submission of your application. 
  2. Obtain approval of transfer INTO your proposed new Undergraduate school per the procedure below. When this is complete your proposed new school will submit an online approval or denial of your IST.
    Undergraduate school and their inbound IST procedure
    Undergraduate school & contact information School’s INBOUND IST procedure
    Bienen School of Music
    Office of Music Admission
    musiclife@northwestern.edu
    847-491-3141
    1. Contact the Office of Music Admission to discuss the application process and schedule an audition (if applicable to your program).
    2. Apply via the Bienen School Supplement (and, if required, complete an audition).
    3. The Office of Music Admission will notify you of the result of your audition/application via email.
    4. You will be directed to set up an appointment with an academic advisor in the Office of Music Student Affairs to help register for music classes.
    McCormick School of Engineering
    Undergraduate Engineering Office
    mccormick-school@northwestern.edu
    847-491-5195
    1. Once your IST has been received by McCormick, you will be contacted with the name of an adviser or member of the Undergraduate Engineering Office to meet with for your initial advising appointment.
    2. You must attend a mandatory 30-minute meeting to verify reasons for transferring in and for creating and reviewing a preliminary course audit and plan.
    3. You must sign McCormick’s academic integrity agreement as well as an agreement to complete all courses with a grade of C or better.
    Medill School of Journalism, Media, & Integrated Marketing Communications
    1. You must successfully complete JOUR 201-1. Contact Medill Student Life to be added to the course waitlist for an upcoming term.
    2. Once the course has been completed and you are applying to transfer schools, you must schedule a mandatory meeting with an adviser in Student Life to review your IST application.
    School of Communication
    Office of Undergraduate Programs
    dear-soc@northwestern.edu
    847-491-7214
    You must schedule a mandatory meeting with an advisor. You must call the telephone number at left to schedule a mandatory meeting with a School of Communication adviser.

    School of Education & Social Policy (SESP)
    Office of Student Affairs
    sespsao@northwestern.edu

    847-491-3790

    1. You must attend a mandatory information session (info sessions take place at the SESP offices every weekday at 3:30 p.m.)
    2. At the conclusion of the information session, schedule a one-on-one appointment with an academic adviser.

    Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences (WCAS)
    Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising
    1908 Sheridan Road
    847-491-8916

    wcas-adviser@northwestern.edu

    You must schedule a mandatory meeting with a WCAS College Advisor.
  3. Once all of the above steps for your proposed new school have been followed, you will receive notification from your proposed new school approving or denying your request to transfer.
  4. As noted above, your inter-school transfer is NOT in effect until final grades from the current term are posted and any pending charges of academic dishonesty have been resolved.