Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
All applications must be accompanied by scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) aptitude test. Official scores must be taken no more than five years before the intended quarter of entry and must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). For example, to be considered valid for Fall 2009 admission, GRE scores must be no older than September 1, 2004. Personal copies are not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies. For more information regarding the GRE click here.If you have not already taken the GRE, it is best to take the test three to four months before the application deadline.To send your scores, The Graduate School's school code 1565. You may use any department code as all scores end up at TGS.
Please note: A subject test is not required but can be submitted.
TOEFL and TSE
For international applicants whose native language is not English, evidence of ability in English must be demonstrated by achieving a minimum score of:- 600 or higher on the paper-based test, or
- 250 or higher on the computer-based test, or
- 100 or higher on the internet based test
Applications with scores lower than those listed above will not even be considered. There are no exceptions.
The TOEFL exam is waived only if you have received a degree from a domestic university previous to the start of the fall quarter you are applying to. Students who are accepted into our program and are funded by a Teaching Assistantship will be required to pass the TSE with a score of 50. Applicants who have already passed the TSE with a score of 50 will be considered for first year teaching assistantships as well as other forms of financial aid.
The TOEFL and TSE requirements are waived by earning an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent, where the language of instruction is English.
Be sure to take all needed tests in time for official scores to reach The Graduate School by the application and financial award deadline (December 31st). Usually, this means taking an examination at least 3 months before the given application deadline.
The institutional code assigned to The Graduate School at Northwestern by ETS is 1565. If you are taking the TOEFL or GRE be sure to include this number on your test form. If your results are not sent to this code, we will not receive them. You may submit photocopies of your GRE, TOEFL, and TSE score reports with your application. These can be used for review purposes. However, official reports must be received before a student can be officially admitted.
Students taking the Paper-based TOEFL should reference department code 01. This will ensure that the TOEFL scores are sent to The Graduate School and not the undergraduate college. IBT test takers should, when prompted, request that their scores be sent to the graduate office (versus undergraduate) and then select the program name that most closely matches their program of interest. If no match is available, the test taker may choose option 99.
IELTS scores must be sent directly from IELTS, in a sealed envelope, to your admitting department.
