Need to Know's for Freshmen

There are a couple really important deadlines that need to be met, so keep these in mind.

• The application deadline for early decision is November 1st each year for early decision, and for regular decision is January 2nd.  To complete your application, use the online common application, located at commonapp.org.  There are also a few supplemental essays that need to be filled out, so do NOT procrastinate.
• Don't know the difference between early decision and regular decision?  That's okay, I didn't at first either.  Early decision is for freshmen entering into undergraduate programs.  It shows the college you are applying to that they are your first choice, and in most schools is binding. This means that if you are admitted to that university, you have to go there.  Due to this agreement, you are only allowed to apply early decision to one school.
• Your last chance to take the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests is January.  This is then sent out to complete your application.
• Be sure to check with the college you are applying to to make sure you take the correct SAT Subject Tests.  Two are required.
• Admission decisions are sent out in early April.  Frequently check your email to make sure you are up to date with the status of your application.
• By mid-April, any other schools you've applied to will have given you their admission decision, and it is then time for you to make your decision.
• May 1st is the key day, where you have to either accept or reject every admissions offer made to you.  For Northwestern, to secure your spot you have to submit your $400 tuition deposit via your Caesar account.
• Information on how to set up your Caesar account will be sent to you along with your admission decision.  Do this ASAP!
• The next step is to pay your housing deposit and complete your housing application.  Your housing deposit is $200 and is also paid via your Caesar account.  The application is available at www.northwestern.edu/living/assignments.html.  KEEP UP TO DATE ON WHEN THESE STEPS ARE DUE.

At this point, you should receive the Purple Prep handbook, sent out to all incoming freshman.  There is a master checklist of everything you need to do before school starts in September, as well as information that covers each of these items in detail.  My advice: just keep up-to-date on everything.