Northwestern University Student Health Insurance

Northwestern University for Foreign Students

The university is being applauded nationally and internationally for its quality education. It is popular among the foreign students especially for its Kellogg School of Management, Feinberg School of Medicine, Pritzker School of Law, Medill School of Journalism, Bienen School of Music and McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. The university is known for ethnic diversity, high freshman retention, best ranked for Major in Sociology, ranked 10 in best nationwide colleges and the list goes on!

Entry Requirements for Northwestern University

• Visa Requirement: In order to pursue a degree or post-degree courses from Northwestern University, you’ll require a valid student visa. All full-time aspirants must obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa to enter the state. The J-1 visa is offered usually for an exchange programme, however, the students can choose between the two. Proof of funding at least for the first year will be required as well. Visa requirements are available on the official website.
• Valid Passport: A passport with a minimum validity of 6 months is essential to enter the USA.
• Visa Waiver Programme: You can enter USA under Visa Waiver Programme and stay for 90 days without a visa. There are 38 participating countries where you can stay without a visa for this duration with VWP.
• ESTA Authorisation - An ESTA approval is essential to travel under the VWP category. These demands to the traveller to furnish necessary information before boarding the flight.
• Student Travel Insurance - Northwestern University requires all undergraduate students having F-1 and J-1 visas to be covered with university-owned health insurance cover under Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan. However, this insurance is not available for the students with certificate programmes and those who don’t want this or already own an insurance coverage can request for waiving their enrolment online in CAESAR. In this regards, students travelling from India may find student travel insurance plan handy instead of the health coverage offered by Northwestern University.

Northwestern University Health Insurance Vs Student Travel Insurance (as per the cost associated)

*Comparison data culled from NU-SHIP Plan brochure and TATA AIG Student Guard Plan brochure

International Students Admission Requirements for Northwestern University

The university offers admissions to around 2000 students every year. Admissions are granted through the categories such as Early Decision, Regular Decision, International, QuestBridge and Transfer. The foreign students should apply through Regular Decision or Early Decision.

If you enrolled in college after 10+2, you should, you must apply as a transfer student. The application process should begin with your pre-university preparation and completion of the academic programme that allows you to seek admission in your home country.

Those who need financial-aid during an undergraduate course can apply. The university offers 100% aid for all needy students for four years. Below are the admission essentials for first-year students under the category First-year Applicant and Transfer Applicant:

For First-year Applicant

The requirements are:

• Common Application or Coalition Application
• Official school transcript and school report
• Recommendation of counsellor
• Minimum one teacher’s recommendation
• SAT or ACT scores (only for whose first language is not English or who has not done schooling in English)
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (only for whose first language is not English or who has not done schooling in English)
• Application fee of $75 or application fee waiver. The application fee is non-refundable
• Early Decision Agreement (Only for Early Decision applicants)
• Midyear transcript (Only for Regular Decision applicants)
• Music audition (Only for School of Music applicants)

Transfer Applicants

The requirements are:

• Common Application /Coalition Application
• Official university transcript(s) attended before (all universities)
• Official secondary school transcript mentioning graduation
• College report
• Academic evaluation
• SAT or ACT scores
• Official TOEFL or IELTS score (applicants whose first language is not English)
• Application fee of $75 or application fee waiver. The application fee is non-refundable
• Music audition (Only for School of Music applicants)

*For detail information, kindly refer to the official website of the university

Top Attractions for Students near Northwestern University

Northwestern University campus is multi-dimensional and one-of-a-kind for many reasons. In the quintessential campus of NU, you’ll find beaches, restaurants, coffee houses, shops and theatres in the close vicinity. You’ll never feel left out of options to spend your weekends or enjoy a special occasion when on the campus. Here’s your list of things to do or visit during your stay at Northwestern University:

• Levere Memorial Temple
• Cahn Auditorium
• Lock Chicago Escape Rooms
• Frances Willard House Museum
• Block Museum of Art
• Galleria in Evanston

Shopping Attractions for Students near Northwestern University

There is no dearth of options for students to shop around the campus. Starting from restaurants to groceries, the place got everything to make your stay comfortable. Some of the good options within the vicinity:

• Abbott Hall Bookstore
• Dick's Sporting Goods
• Campus Gear
• Norris Centre Bookstore
• Beck's Bookstore
• Let's Tailgate
• Backyard Barbecue Store
• Carson Pirie Scott

Golf Mill Shopping Centre

• Ellen's on Elm
• Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop
• Westfield Old Orchard Center

Accommodation near Northwestern University

When away from the home country, accommodation can be one of the major concerns for international students. It becomes even more difficult for the students who can’t make through the university-owned accommodation. In such a case, off-campus accommodation comes in handy. The neighbouring areas of Northwestern University offer some amazing living spaces including hotels that are easily approachable.  The hotel options not to be missed are:

• The Hilton Orrington
• The Homestead
• Margarita European Inn
• Stone Terrace Bed & Breakfast
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Holiday Inn
• Stone Porch By the Lake

However, there are three residence halls for graduate students owned by the university namely Engelhart Hall, Garrett Place Apartments, and McManus Center. These accommodations are offered based on availability to the PhD professionals, visiting scholars and fellows. The residence halls for undergraduate students include:

• 560 Lincoln
• Kemper Hall
• 2303 Sheridan
• Sargent Hall
• 720 Emerson
• Bobb
• Willard Hall
• Foster Walker
• Rogers House

Good Eating Options near Northwestern University

The food culture in Illinois is a blend of ethnic fare and fast food and the place is home to a range of upscale dining establishments serving great food. Here’re the options you can explore after a hectic class or while taking a break from regular campus life:

• Edzo's Burger Shop
• Wiener and Still Champion
• Café Descartes
• NoMI Kitchen
• Bistronomic
• The Purple Pig

Northwestern University Transport for Students

Northwestern University campus is easily accessible through shuttles, public transports and bus charters. There are shuttles for students, faculty and staff on the Evanston and Chicago campuses. To name a few:

• Intercampus
• Shop-N-Ride
• Student Game Day
• Frostbite
• CTA #201
• Evanston Loop
• Campus Loop
• Chicago Express
• Chicago Campus Shuttles

The options available in public transit are CTA Purple Line (‘L’), CTA Bus Service: 201 Central/Ridge, 22 Clark, 147 Outer Drive Express, Metra, CTA/Metra Combination. These transports are useful in commuting the Evanston campus. CTA Red Line (‘L’), Metra, CTA Bus Service connect the Chicago campus to other parts of the state and prove to be a convenient option for students to get around the campus. ‘Apart from these, there is Zipcar Carshare service at an affordable rate. The university also encourages Pace Rideshare Program where carpooling is promoted for reducing commuting cost, stress and carbon footprint.

Local Law and Etiquette to follow in Northwestern University

Drinking Age:

The prevailing law in Illinois law restricts a person to consume, purchase or sell alcoholic beverages under the age of 21 years. Violation will lead to a harsh penalty. Moreover, a valid ID is required to purchase alcohol. A person with false evidence will be sentenced to one-year imprisonment and fined $2,500.

Smoking Age:

The legal smoking age in Illinois is 21 years, however, smoking is strictly prohibited within the University campus and other public places.

If Northwestern University is in your study abroad list, you should consider this information in your planning, to make your stay worth!