How to apply for engineering at Northwestern: twelve McCormick B.S. degrees, apply to the school and choose a major in the first year, math through calculus and chemistry and physics recommended, admission routes and preparation for U.S. applicants, international applicants (including applicants from China) and transfers

Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. Its undergraduate engineering programs are offered by the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. This guide covers fall 2027 entry from Northwestern’s website and catalog, for U.S. applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. Majors

• Discipline-specific B.S. degrees: the catalog lists 12 — applied mathematics, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer engineering, computer science, electrical, environmental, industrial, manufacturing and design, materials science, and mechanical engineering. These are open only to McCormick students. Computer science has its own guide on this site.
• ABET: the catalog says biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, manufacturing and design, materials, and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE): currently one major, Artificial Intelligence, open to McCormick students and as a second major to other Northwestern students; the catalog says the BSE is not ABET-accredited.
• Integrated Engineering Studies: a self-designed degree for students with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, applying as early as the end of the first year.
• Two counts: the degrees page says “12 degrees” but lists 13 areas including AI. Follow the catalog.
• Structure: quarter system, 48 units for the B.S.: a 26-unit core (math 4, basic science 4, engineering foundations 3, design and communication 3, social sciences/humanities theme 7, electives 5) and a 22-unit major. Overall GPA and major GPA must each be at least 2.0.
• Co-op: open to full-time students in every engineering department, alternating study with paid work for at least 12 months (4 quarters) in total; students stay enrolled and pay no tuition or fees during work quarters.

2. Admission: apply to the school, choose a major in the first year

• Applying: all applicants apply through Northwestern’s Office of Undergraduate Admission and choose a school; engineering applicants choose McCormick.
• First year: first-year McCormick students get a first-year adviser and follow standard sequences: MATH 220-1, 220-2, 228-1, 228-2, chemistry or physics, Engineering Foundations, and two quarters of Design Thinking and Communication. McCormick says you explore paths and select a major during the first year; the catalog says most students have chosen a program by the start of sophomore year.
• Thresholds: the pages read for this guide do not give a GPA threshold or cap for choosing a major; ask the Office of Undergraduate Engineering.
• Moving into McCormick from another Northwestern school: not described on the pages read.

3. High school preparation and AP/IB

• McCormick’s recommended coursework (the admissions FAQ says “recommended”): 4 years of English; at least 3 years of lab science, chemistry and physics preferred; 3.5–4 years of math, calculus preferred if available, with a minimum of 2 years of algebra, 1 year of plane geometry and 1 semester of trigonometry; and 5–6 additional courses including foreign language, history and social sciences.
• Before arrival: all incoming McCormick students complete the Math Placement Exam and the Chemistry Assessment on Canvas between June 1 and July 31.
• AP credit (2026-27 table):
  • Calculus AB (or the AB subscore of BC): 4 gives MATH 220-1; 5 gives MATH 220-1 and 220-2;
  • Calculus BC: 4 gives MATH 220-1 and 220-2; 5 adds MATH 226;
  • Chemistry 5 gives 1 chemistry unit; Physics C Mechanics and E&M at 5 give PHYSICS 135-1 and 135-2 with labs.
• IB Higher Level: Chemistry 6–7 gives 1 chemistry unit; Mathematics (both courses) 6–7 gives elective credit only; Physics 6–7 gives PHYSICS 130-1 and 130-2 as electives.

4. Rounds, deadlines and materials

• Early Decision (binding): November 1, 2026.
• Regular Decision: January 4, 2027.
• Materials: Common App or Coalition with Scoir, the 2026-27 Northwestern writing supplement (one required question in 300 words or fewer plus one or two optional questions under 200 words; the Common App personal essay is no longer required), two recommendations (counselor and a core-subject teacher) and the activities list.
• Testing: test-optional for first-year and transfer applicants; self-reporting is allowed, with official scores required before enrollment.
• Interviews: Northwestern no longer offers alumni interviews.
• The admissions pages read for this guide mention no separate engineering essay or portfolio for McCormick.

5. U.S. applicants

• No in-state rate: Northwestern is private and lists one undergraduate tuition rate.
• Aid: aid is strictly need-based, calculated from the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Northwestern meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans (scholarships, grants and work-study), and says most families earning under $150,000 attend tuition-free.
• Glimpse video (optional): applicants from U.S. high schools may submit a 60–90 second video by November 7 (ED) or January 17 (RD); not submitting one is no disadvantage.
• ED and RD aid packages are calculated the same way.

6. International applicants

• English: required if English is not your first language or your secondary school is not English-medium; Duolingo, IELTS (including IELTS Indicator) or TOEFL iBT, sent by the testing agency; no minimum score.
• InitialView (optional): accepted from international high schools. The admissions page still gives the “2024–25 cycle” dates of November 7 (ED) and January 17 (RD); check for current dates.
• Aid: international first-years can apply for need-based aid and admitted students have 100% of need met, but admission is need-aware for international students. Indicate this on the application and submit the CSS Profile (code 1565) and parental income documents, or the ISAFA if you cannot file the CSS Profile.

7. Applicants from China

• Same process and deadlines; non-English transcripts need official English translations.
• Gaokao: Northwestern does not say how it is used. Admissions encourages completing a full high school curriculum that leads to university in your country.
• English: TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo; the TOEFL ITP Plus for China is not accepted, and scores are not combined across sittings (no MyBest).
• Coursework: prepare according to McCormick’s recommendations in section 3, with physics, chemistry and calculus where possible; how Chinese curricula map to them is not published, so ask Admission.

8. Transfer students

• Who: anyone who has earned college credit after high school; successful applicants usually have completed one full-time year.
• Deadlines: fall entry only; transfer Early Decision March 1, 2027 and Regular Decision April 1, 2027; testing optional.
• STEM credit: after admission, submit a course form with syllabus for each engineering, science or math course by July 17; McCormick reviews them over the summer. Students who need more calculus take the math placement exam.
• Limits: no more than 4 transfer units may count in the 22-unit major, with department and school approval; outside courses used for McCormick requirements need a C or higher.
• International transfer students cannot apply for financial aid.

9. Costs

• 2026-27 (USD): tuition $23,934 a quarter, $71,802 a year; fees $1,260; housing and meals about $22,941; books $1,239; personal $2,079; about $99,375 on campus (excluding travel). 2027-28 costs are not yet published.
• The pages read list no separate engineering tuition.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Apply to McCormick by November 1 (ED) or January 4 (RD); testing optional
• Submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile if you need aid
• Take math through calculus plus chemistry and physics where possible

International applicants (including applicants from China):

• Same deadlines; have TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores sent directly
• If you need aid, indicate it and submit the CSS Profile or ISAFA; admission is need-aware
• Complete the math placement exam and chemistry assessment by July 31 before arrival

Transfer students:

• Transfer ED March 1, 2027; RD April 1, 2027
• After admission, submit a course form for each STEM course by July 17

Sources: Northwestern University, McCormick undergraduate admissions; McCormick bachelor's degrees; Catalog: McCormick School; First-year students; First-year curriculum; AP/IB credit; Transfer students; Application dates and deadlines; Application materials; High school courses FAQ; International applicants FAQ; Transfer FAQ; Keeping Northwestern affordable; Cost of attendance; Aid for international students. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures); check Northwestern’s website for updates.