AdmissionsFrequently Asked Questions
Student Enrollment and Covid-19
We encourage students to check the Northwestern COVID-19 Updates website for information on impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. If you have an enrollment question that is not addressed in the FAQ, please email mem@northwestern.edu for assistance.
Do I need to submit GRE scores?
No. GRE and GMAT scores are now optional for all applicants. You are welcome to report and upload your scores if you feel they will help strengthen your application, and if you upload them the Admissions Committee will include them as part of their holistic review of your application. However, if you choose not to upload GRE or GMAT scores this will have no negative impact on your review whatsoever.
What are the admissions deadlines?
Please view our admissions page to get a better understanding of our admissions deadlines for part-time, full-time, and international students.
Is there an application fee?
No. There is no MEM application fee.Which recommenders should I choose?
It is your choice as to which contacts to use for your Letters of Recommendation. The chart on the application materials page is only a suggestion. In general, professional recommenders are preferred over academic, and more recent recommenders are preferred over someone who has not been in touch with you for a few years. Ultimately, you need to make a determination of the recommenders who will be able to give you the strongest recommendation relative to the listed topics.
Please note: your application will be ready for review only once LORs are submitted. That means they must be submitted before a given deadline to be included in that round. If they arrive after a deadline your application will be in the next round.
What is the cost of tuition ?
Tuition costs change on a yearly basis. The proposed costs for the Academic Year can be found on the Master of Engineering Management tuition web page.
IS MEM a STEM degree?
Yes, Northwestern MEM is a STEM degree. Here is a link to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website listing all the STEM degrees. MEM STEM degree's CIP code is 15.1501.
What areas of specialization are available?
MEM degree students may attain optional concentrations by choosing 3-4 courses within these categories:
- Managerial Analytics
- Product Management
- Project and Process Management
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
Are grants or teaching assistantships available?
MEM does not currently offer any grants or teaching assistantships. Opportunities to be a Teaching Assistant or "grader" for a class come up on occasions, but are not guaranteed. We make students aware of any such opportunities that come up when and if they do.
Please review other options on the Master of Engineering Management financial aid web page.
Who needs to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score?
Much of your success in graduate study in the United States will rest on your ability to understand, read, write and speak English.
Applicants whose native language is not English must certify their proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or by holding an undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. United States citizenship or permanent residency status is not an automatic waiver of this requirement. Moreover, due to past applicant interactions and data, our program still requires students from several English-speaking countries, including India, to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores. If you intend to waive the English Proficiency requirement due to holding a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, your transcript must indicate this.
Official scores must be less than two years old and must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The institutional code assigned to Northwestern University Master of Engineering Management is B823. Be sure to include this number on your test form. If your results are not sent to this code, we will never receive them. Do not have your scores sent to any departmental code that may be listed. Personal copies are not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies. However, a complete application should include an e-copy of your score report. This helps us verify your scores quickly, should there be any delay in receiving the official report.
For the TOEFL, you must score 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 or higher on the computer-based test, 100 or higher on the internet-based test. For the IELTS, you must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.
Can I submit Duolingo Scores instead of TOEFL/IELTS Scores?
No. Our program does not recognize Duolingo as an acceptable English proficiency indicator.
Can I start in any quarter?
Part-time/domestic students can apply to begin in any quarter. Full-time/international students can only apply to start in the fall quarter.
Can I take any course in any order?
All new students should plan on taking the MEM402 Engineering Management gateway course as one of their first courses. It introduces students to business functions through the creation and simulation of a comprehensive business plan which provides the background for advanced engineering management courses.
Following the gateway course, it is advised that all new students complete the core courses of Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Leadership, and Decision Tools as early in their academic career as possible. Students will benefit greatly by having completed these courses early in their MEM career since all other MEM courses rely on a business core. The program is flexible in many cases, but this is the most advisable approach. The MEM437 Strategic Management capstone course should ideally be taken as one of a student's last courses.
Can I transfer credits from another institution?
If approved and applicable, you may be able to transfer up to three elective credits from a previous or current institution to count towards your MEM degree.
MY GPA is not on a 4.0 scale, do I need to convert it?
If your GPA is not on a 4.0 scale, please submit a free GPA conversion from WES or Scholaro and use the converted 4.0-scale GPA in your application. If your transcript is not in English please submit the original transcript as well as a certified translation from WES, Scholaro or a similar service. This will allow the admissions committee to accurately evaluate your transcript and GPA.
Does this program have an online option?
No, Northwestern's MEM program is not offered online. Due to COVID-19 we are offering our classes in hybrid (with in-person and remote components) and fully remote formats, depending on the course, but prospective students should not apply to this program looking for a fully remote/online experience.
Can someone assess my potential to get accepted before I submit an application?
No, only the admissions committee can make that decision. The admissions committee looks at all aspects of a submitted and completed application in order to determine if an applicant is eligible to be admitted into the program. No other short-cut or administrative professional at MEM can give you any insight.
