How to Apply to Computer Science at Northwestern University: The McCormick BS and the Weinberg BA, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Northwestern University, computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the McCormick School of Engineering, with two degrees: a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science through McCormick and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science through the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. All applicants apply through Northwestern’s Office of Undergraduate Admission and choose a school. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Northwestern’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The two degrees and curriculum

• BS (McCormick): computer science in an engineering context, with more emphasis on design, the sciences and other engineering areas. For students starting in 2026-27, it is 48 units:
  • engineering core, 26 units: mathematics 4, basic sciences 4, Engineering Foundations 3, Design, Communication and Innovation 3, a social sciences/humanities theme 7, unrestricted electives 5;
  • major program, 22 units: required courses 4, breadth 5, technical electives 6, project courses 2, a societal impact course 1, advanced electives 4.
  The curriculum page says the new Engineering Foundations requirement replaces the Engineering Analysis sequence, with the full curriculum in the catalog from September 2026, while the CS major page still describes Engineering First (Engineering Analysis plus Design Thinking and Communication). The two pages differ; follow the latest catalog.
• BA (Weinberg): computer science in a liberal arts context, with connections to fields such as economics, ethics, international security, law, linguistics, medicine and music, and it makes double majoring in another arts and sciences area easier. It needs at least 45 units, including Weinberg’s seminar, writing, foreign language and distribution requirements. The CS program is 19 units: 6 core courses (COMP_SCI 150 or GEN_ENG 150/151, 180, 208, 211, 212, 213), 5 breadth courses (one each in theory, systems, artificial intelligence, interfaces, and software development and programming languages), 2 project courses and 6 technical electives, plus related mathematics and probability/statistics. Weinberg students declare a major before the end of sophomore year.
• Nine concentrations (optional, for BS and BA): AI and machine learning; systems; foundations; security and privacy; software engineering and programming languages; robotics; computer hardware and architecture; human-computer interaction; quantum.
• Experience: the department says the major welcomes everyone, from total beginners to experienced coders.
• Other programs: the department also offers an AI major, a CS minor, an AI minor and a machine learning and data science minor; students can join the Research Track from their third year.
• Combined BS/BA–MS: McCormick and Weinberg undergraduates can apply; Northwestern says most finish in fewer than five years, and with careful planning some may earn both in four. Prerequisites for the MS in CS are COMP_SCI 180 (or 111), 208 (or 214), 211, 212 and 213.

First-year courses, AP/IB credit and placement

• Sequence: the department recommends COMP_SCI or GEN_ENG 150/151 → COMP_SCI 180 → 208 → 211; the entry courses teach object-oriented programming in Python. McCormick students take GEN_ENG 150 and other students COMP_SCI 150. The honors GEN_ENG 151 runs only in fall and needs AP CS A credit or the entrance exam given in Wildcat Welcome week.
• AP/IB credit (2026-27 policy): AP Computer Science A at 4 or 5, or IB Computer Science at 5–7, comes in as COMP_SCI 1CA; for McCormick CS or AI majors it can count toward advanced electives, but it is only a prerequisite for GEN_ENG 151 and does not replace any CS course. AP Computer Science Principles at 4 or 5 counts only as an unrestricted elective.
• Placement exams: optional, in person in the first week of fall quarter, for the few students with programming experience well beyond AP; available for CS 180, 208 and 211.
• Transfer credit: the Registrar records accepted courses as COMP_SCI 1XX, 2XX or 3XX, which do not satisfy CS prerequisites.
• High school preparation: the admissions requirements page we read does not list math or science requirements for McCormick or computer science (it lists four years of math including calculus and four years of science including chemistry and physics only for the separate ISP program). Check with McCormick’s Office of Undergraduate Engineering.
• Changing schools: the CS and McCormick pages we read do not say how current students move between McCormick and Weinberg; ask McCormick’s Office of Undergraduate Engineering or Weinberg College.

2. Application plans and timeline

• Early Decision (ED): due November 1, 2026 (11:59 pm applicant’s local time), decisions in December 2026, binding. Financial aid materials are due December 1.
• Regular Decision (RD): due January 4, 2027, decisions in March 2027. Financial aid materials are due February 1.
• Northwestern says its ED acceptance rate is typically higher than RD, and aid offers are the same either way.
• Materials: the Common App or Coalition with Scoir, the Northwestern supplement (the Common App personal essay is no longer required), all high school transcripts and the school report with counselor recommendation, one academic teacher recommendation, and the activity chart.
• Interviews: applicants from international high schools may submit an InitialView interview; it is optional and there is no disadvantage without one.
• All applications are for fall (September) entry.

3. Testing

• Test-optional: Northwestern does not require the SAT or ACT from first-year or transfer applicants.
• Scores can be self-reported: highest SAT sections, or highest ACT sections plus the official ACT superscore. Enrolling students whose scores were used must send official scores.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Same process and deadlines as domestic applicants; transcripts in other languages need certified English translations.
• English: required if your first language is not English or your secondary schooling was not in English. Northwestern accepts Duolingo, IELTS (including IELTS Indicator) and TOEFL iBT, but not TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution. Scores must be sent officially by the testing agency.
• No minimum; competitive applicants typically score in the high range on all sections. English tests are not superscored and MyBest scores are not reviewed.
• Northwestern does not mention the Gaokao. It encourages students to finish a program that qualifies them for university in their home country; leaving school early is a disadvantage.
• AP and IB credit: eligible AP and IB Higher Level results earn credit; other international exam results are evaluated individually.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• Apply ED or RD as usual; Northwestern publishes no requirement specific to Canadian or BC curricula.
• No English test is needed if English is your first language or your schooling is in English.
• Testing is optional, and an InitialView interview can be added.

6. Transfer students

• Eligibility: anyone who has earned college credit after high school graduation. Successful transfers typically have completed one year of full-time college coursework (24 semester or 36 quarter hours) and must be in good standing.
• Timeline: fall only. Transfer ED is due March 1, 2027, with decisions in early April; transfer RD is due April 1, with decisions in mid- to late May.
• Materials: the Common App or Coalition with the transfer writing supplements (a personal statement is recommended), high school transcript or proof of graduation, college transcripts, one academic evaluation and the College Report. Testing is optional.
• English: international transfers must submit an English score; those currently at a US institution generally need not.
• Credit: evaluated by the Registrar after admission, with a preliminary evaluation first. No credit is given for courses at unaccredited institutions, credit by examination, courses under three quarter or two semester hours, P or S grades, and similar. Transfer credit is converted by formula, recorded as “T” and not counted in the GPA.
• Aid: not available to international transfer applicants.

7. Costs and financial aid

• 2026-27 costs (US$): tuition 23,934 per quarter, 71,802 a year; fees 1,260, on-campus housing and meals about 22,941, books 1,239 and personal expenses 2,079, for an on-campus total of about 99,375 (excluding transportation). 2027-28 figures are not yet published.
• International aid: need-based aid is available to international first-years, and Northwestern guarantees to meet 100% of admitted first-years’ demonstrated need for four years.
• Need-aware: Northwestern is need-aware for international students, so a request for aid and the amount may affect your admission decision. Indicate on the application that you are applying for aid; to change this, email before the aid deadline.
• Materials: the CSS Profile (code 1565) and parents’ latest tax forms or earnings statements; families who cannot file the Profile can use the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA).

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Decide between McCormick (BS) and Weinberg (BA)
• Submit by November 1 (ED) or January 4 (RD) with the Northwestern supplement
• TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo sent by the testing agency; SAT/ACT optional
• For aid: CSS Profile and tax documents by December 1 (ED) or February 1 (RD); aid for international students is need-aware
• AP CS A at 4+ or IB Computer Science at 5+ comes in as COMP_SCI 1CA

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply by November 1 (ED) or January 4 (RD); no English test if you study in English

Transfer students:

• ED March 1 or RD April 1, 2027; usually after a full year of college
• Outside CS courses come in as 1XX/2XX/3XX and do not count as prerequisites; no aid for international transfers

Sources: Northwestern University, Application dates and deadlines; Application materials; International applicants; International applicant FAQs; Standardized testing policy; Transferring to Northwestern; McCormick School of Engineering admissions; Computer science major (BS/BA); BS curriculum requirements (from 2026-27); First-year courses and AP/IB credit; Combined BS/BA–MS; Catalog: BS in computer science; Catalog: BA in computer science; Cost of attendance; 2026-27 undergraduate tuition; Financial aid for international applicants. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Northwestern for the latest details.