International candidates
International applicant requirements
The Kellogg community is made up of students from over 90 countries, each with unique application considerations. To ensure you have everything needed for a successful submission, please follow these instructions carefully.
As part of the application, you will be required to submit a few additional documents to verify your readiness for attending a U.S. institution. These include:
- TOEFL, IELTS or DET score
- Transcript verification
Additionally, the name on your application must match the name on your passport. Any discrepancy will delay our ability to process the I-20 form, which is required to obtain a visa.
English proficiency tests
All non-native English speakers will need to show proficiency in English as part of the application process. Any of following criteria will satisfy this requirement:
- You have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in the United States.
- You have taken the equivalency of English 101 and 102 at an accredited college or university in the United States and provide the transcript for these courses.
- You have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university where English was the only language of instruction.
- In the application, you must provide the exact URL or documentation from your institution that states English was the only language of instruction.
- If you graduate from an institution that does not explicitly state this, please provide the URL for the homepage of the school’s website.
- You have worked in the United States (or an English-speaking nation) for at least two consecutive years within the last 5 years.
If none of the above criteria are met, English proficiency will be evaluated throughout the application process and interview in combination with a valid TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English score. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to require a score from any candidate if they deem it necessary to assessing a candidate’s English proficiency.
Transcripts
If you have transcripts from an institution outside the United States or Canada, you must have them evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Visit naces.org/members for a list of all university-approved agencies. This course-by-course evaluation report, once received from the NACES-approved agency, will count as your official transcript for application purposes.
The NACES organization below offers Kellogg applicants a discounted course-by-course evaluation and expedited processing through their custom application page.
If one of your degrees was conferred from a United States institution, we may not require a course-by-course evaluation for your international degree(s). Please email us at emba-admissions@kellogg.northwestern.edu for more information.
STEM-designated MBA
All Kellogg MBA Programs are STEM-designated degrees. Graduates meeting the below qualifications may be eligible to apply for the F-1 24-month STEM-OPT extension. This applies if you have either:
- An F1 student visa
- An approved F-1 12-month post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Our STEM-designated degrees grant you three years of authorized work in the U.S. before requiring sponsorship for employment-based nonimmigrant or immigrant visas. For more information on eligibility and process, please visit the Northwestern Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS).
