Online Application Instructions
Thank you for your interest in the Graduate School at Northern Illinois University!
Before you begin this application, please familiarize yourself with the calendar of program deadlines.
This application is dynamic and the questions you are presented with will be determined by your answers.
Once you begin this application you will not be able to save and return later to complete the application. If you are unable to complete the application in one session you will be required to start over. Additionally, if you are inactive on the application for more than 20 minutes you will be required to start over.
To insure that you are able to complete the application in one session, please make sure to have the following information on hand:
A $40 non-refundable application fee payable will be required to process this application (Visa, MasterCard and E-check are accepted). Once you have successfully submitted the application, a confirmation page will appear that will provide you with a summary of your application information, as well as other important information. Please print a copy of this page for your records. All supporting documents necessary to process your application must be sent to:
The Graduate School
Northern Illinois University
Adams Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115-2864
Documents required to be submitted for Degree Seeking Students:
International (nonimmigrant) students must ALSO submit:
Important information regarding Goal Statements and Letters of Reference:
NIU's record system allows DEGREE-SEEKING applicants to upload their Goals Statement and allows recommenders to upload their respective letters of reference.
- To utilize the electronic letter of reference process, applicants need to provide the email address of their recommenders during the application process. Once submitted, NIU will send an automatic email with instructions to the specified recommenders. Please note: These emails are sometimes caught by spam and junkmail filters, the student should follow up with his/her recommenders if the document does not arrive in a timely manner. Applicants can track their incoming materials via the student record system, MYNIU.
- Applicants are required to provide a Goals Statement. This statement will not be uploaded until AFTER the application is completed and the student logs into the MYNIU student record information system. All students will receive an automated email within 2 days of application that will provide instructions on how to obtain a username and password for MYNIU. Once logged in, the student can monitor his/her application status and use the link provided to upload a Goals Statement in Word or PDF format.
Document Retention
Please note that all documents submitted to Northern Illinois University for admission purposes become the property of the university. Documents will not be released to students nor will they be forwarded to other educational institutions or agencies.
Contact Us
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. The Graduate School can be reached by phone at (815) 753-0395 or by e-mail at
gradsch@niu.edu (U.S.A.)
internationalgrads@niu.edu (International Applicants)
**NOTE** The Beta Version of Google's "Chrome" browser does NOT work with this application. Please open this page in Internet Explorer or another browser before continuing.
