NU Chemistry

Graduate Program

Application

Application process for the Graduate Program in Chemistry is currently open. Applications will be available on-line beginning October 5th at:
http://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/admission/

Instructions for submitting your application on-line are available at the Graduate School website.

In addition to completing the on-line application you will need to:

Request that ETS (1-888-GRE-SCORE) send your General and Chemistry GRE scores to Northwestern University (code 1565).
International students must also submit:
- Either a TOEFL or IELTS score:
  - Minimum TOEFL scores - Northwestern requires a minimum score of 600 on the paper based exam, a minimum score of 250 on the computer based exam, a minimum of 100 on the internet based test. Please consult Northwestern University's Graduate School web site for more information.
  - Minimum IELTS score - Northwestern requires a minimum score of 7 on the IELTS exam. Please consult Northwestern University's Graduate School web site for more information.
  - International students being considered for admittance will be required to have a phone interview to further assess language skills.

Send two copies each of the following documents:
- Three separate letters of recommendation are required - there are two methods your reference can choose:
  - Electronically - Letters of recommendation can be uploaded by NU application software. The NU application software will ask you for the names and email addresses of three references. As you submit your application, an email will be sent to your references providing them with instructions for submitting their letters of recommendation. The NU application software will send you a confirmation email once your references have uploaded their letters of recommendation. If your references are uncomfortable using the web, you may wish to consider sending hard-copies.
  - By Mail - If you are sending hard copies, please send two copies of each of your three letters of recommendation. Each letter must be written on university or corporate letterhead and submitted in a sealed envelope to be accepted - Northwestern does not have a special form for this procedure. If you are sending hard copies from a country other than the United States, it is best to send them via airmail.
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. Non-English speaking International Students must also submit transcripts in their native language. If your institution teaches all classes in English, you must contact Northwestern University's Graduate Admissions office for further instructions at http://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/admission/faq/
- ALL MAILED documents should be sent to:
  
  Graduate Program Assistant
  Department of Chemistry
  Northwestern University
  2145 Sheridan Road
  Evanston, IL 60208-3113
- DO NOT SEND MATERIALS TO GRADUATE ADMISSIONS.
Submit an application fee to the graduate school. Your application will not be submitted until your application fee is received by the Graduate School. For instructions, see the Graduate School website on fees.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the profile of a successful applicant?
The successful applicant plans early. Typically they will have a GPA above a 3.3 /4.0; GRE scores for FALL 2007 class averaged 581/800 Verbal, 741/800 Quantitative, Writing Analysis 4.9 /6.0, 694 on the Chemistry GRE, and strong letters of recommendation from research advisors which demonstrate laboratory and critical thinking skills. Recommendations from undergraduate laboratories, internships, or industrial settings are best. In addition, copies of one's publications list will enhance one's application and should be included, although publications list are not required.

What is the deadline for submitting an application?
You should have your application and all supporting materials submitted as soon as possible, and no later than December 31st. Because the faculty admissions committee reviews applications during the fall and winter, your chances of admission is greater the sooner you submit your application and materials.

I can't take the Chemistry GRE until December, should I go ahead and send in the rest of my application materials now?
Yes. The sooner you send your materials, the sooner we can start reviewing your application.

Do I need to submit a separate application for financial aid?
No separate application for financial aid is necessary. If you wish to be considered for a financial aid award, please check the appropriate box on the Graduate School Application form. All Northwestern University graduate students accepted into the program are fully funded for four years, beyond that, students will need to petition for an extension of funding. All admitted U.S. citizens do need to complete the FAFSA form available online. Each applicant will be considered for all types of financial aid available to the Department. All recipients of financial aid are expected to register for a full time program of graduate study. Successful applicants can expect to receive a financial aid package, which typically includes a stipend and full tuition scholarship. Recipients of financial aid may not engage in remunerative work elsewhere except in unusual circumstances and with the permission of the Chairman of the Department and the Dean of the Graduate School.

No awards of financial aid are given in payment for services rendered, and no services are required in connection with any award. All awards are made for the sole purpose of enabling the student.

To pursue full-time graduate work, domestic students must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some students are already familiar with this form in association with guaranteed student loans. Domestic graduate students should complete this form to increase their eligibility for grants and fellowships that will request this information for funding. It is not necessary for students to ask their parents for their IRS records. The website will direct the student to answer the questions based on your personal information from the previous year.

One of my recommenders’ wishes to send his/her letter directly to you; is this OK?
Yes. The letter should clearly indicate your name and social security number. In addition to enclosing two copies of this recommendation letter, he should also sign across the seal on the outside of the envelope. Letters of recommendation should be on official university or corporate letterhead and sent to:

Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Chemistry
Northwestern University
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-3113

I am currently attending another graduate school and want to transfer?
The application process for transfer students is the same as for other applicants. However, we do not encourage students to transfer from our sister institutions in the U.S. as this tends to create bad feelings with our colleagues at those institutions. The student should be well aware of the consequences of applying for a transfer before beginning this process. If the student is leaving their institution with a Masters degree and this is the highest possible achievement there, then he will not be viewed by the Admissions Committee as a transfer student. However, if the student is departing from an institution that offers a PhD program, he will be considered as a transfer.

We do occasionally make exceptions under extenuating circumstances (e.g., if the student has a spouse in our department or their advisor was denied tenure.) If you feel that you meet either of these criteria, you should let us know and have a letter of recommendation from your main advisor. If you are an international student, TOEFL scores are good for two years only. You will need to ask ETS to forward all of your scores in order to receive financial aid.

When will I be notified whether I have been admitted?
The faculty admissions committee reviews applications during the fall and winter. All decisions will be made no later than April 15th.

Can I apply to begin the program in the spring rather than the fall?
No. We have Fall Admissions only. If you are admitted to the program, you are more than welcome to arrive in the summer to conduct research. You need to find a faculty member who is willing to employ you on a temporary basis. Although you cannot officially commit to joining a group before the advisor selection process in the fall of your first year, students who come early are often invited to join the group in which they were temporarily working.

If I am admitted and then decide that I would like to take a year off, can I defer my start date until the following fall?
Yes. Admission may be deferred up to one year from the quarter of admission. You will need to submit the request to The Graduate School. If you decide to take more than a year off, you will need to reapply to the program.

What can I expect during the visit weekends?
Students who have received an acceptance letter will be invited to attend a visit weekend. Dates for spring 2008 are March 13 - 15, 20 - 22 and 27 - 29. Prior to the weekend, each student will be asked to forward the names of six professors they would like to meet with during their stay. Visit weekends typically begin on a Thursday evening and conclude on a Saturday afternoon. Students will be given an overview of the curriculum and requirements. They will also have the opportunity to meet the faculty and tour the facilities. The purpose of the weekend is to give the student a broader sense of the research opportunites available at Northwestern. It is highly recommended that you visit the institution in order to make an informed decision on attending Northwestern.

How can I get more information about the admission process or program?
Please feel free to contact our Graduate Program Assistant for additional information:

E-mail: ChemPhDapplicant@northwestern.edu
Telephone: 847/491-2968 or toll free at 877/491-0026
Fax: 847/491-7713