Admission Requirements
Note that the Department of Psychology will not require GRE test scores for applications submitted by December 1, 2023 for admission in Fall 2024.
The department receives over 300 applications for graduate admissions each year. On average, about 15-20 students are accepted, of whom about 12 choose Northwestern for their graduate studies.
The average Verbal GRE score of students admitted to the department of psychology is 165. The average Quantitative GRE score of students admitted to the department is 160. The psychology subject test is not required.
For admitted students, the average GPA from their Junior and Senior years in college is 3.60. Undergraduate psychology courses are not required, but in-depth research experience in psychology or related areas such as biology, engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, etc., is strongly encouraged.
Note to International Applicants
The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 600 for the paper-based test and 250 or higher for the computer-based test, 90 or higher on the internet based test.
ADMISSION QUALIFICATIONS
- Supplementary Material: copies of published or submitted research reports
- Undergraduate/Graduate Degree: no preference given to master's degree nor undergraduate psychology majors
- Coursework Background: sufficient to demonstrate both interest in and ability to do research in chosen field of psychology
- Relevant Research or Experience: none required, but preference given to applicants with demonstrated ability in conducting research
- Other: As noted above, the Department of Psychology will not require GRE test scores for applications submitted by December 1, 2023 for admission in Fall 2024.