Early Admission Transfer Program
For Oakton College Students
The Northwestern Early Transfer Admission Program is a transfer preparation program designed for Oakton College students who are interested in pursuing part-time undergraduate studies at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies after their education at Oakton. As an Oakton student in this program, you will:
- Work with a dedicated SPS enrollment adviser, in addition to your Oakton academic adviser, to create an individualized pathway to help you get the most from your transfer to Northwestern. Your SPS enrollment adviser will also work with you through the Early Transfer Admission application process, or the regular admission process, whichever path you decide is the best for you.
- Apply for Early Transfer Admission to the School of Professional Studies (SPS.) Early Transfer Admission allows SPS to review your current academic progress and records while you are still completing your degree at Oakton. If accepted for Early Transfer Admission, you will receive a conditional decision* of admission. When you successfully complete your AA or AS degree at Oakton, you will receive full admission to Northwestern and will be able to enroll in classes as early as the first quarter after you complete your Oakton degree.
- Attend special events and workshops, speak with current Northwestern students, and meet with different departments.
* Conditional admission to Northwestern SPS is pending the successful completion of the applicant’s AA or AS degree at Oakton and their upholding of all relevant policies of student conduct.
Key steps:
- Familiarize yourself with the program as early as possible in your college experience and choose your Oakton courses accordingly. You can use the online transfer guide to find Northwestern SPS course equivalencies for Oakton courses. Submit your Northwestern application after completing 24 semester hours/36 quarter hours of college-level credit. However, if you do start participation later in your college experience, Northwestern will work with you to find a pathway that makes sense for you.
- It is recommended that you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
- You will continue to work with your Oakton academic adviser, but you will also have a dedicated Northwestern enrollment adviser to help guide you through the process.
When you're ready to start
- Send an email to the SPS enrollment advising team and indicate your intended date of transfer and major. If you have not decided on a major, you may participate by identifying yourself as an "undeclared major". Refer to the list above to determine what majors are part of this program. Your degree requirements will not be established until your major is declared.
- An SPS enrollment adviser will reach out to you to set up your first appointment to meet and understand your long-term academic goals.
- Notify your Oakton academic adviser of your interest in the program, to ensure coordination between your academic support teams.
Undergraduate Majors
SPS offers a variety of majors both online and on campus. The following majors are eligible for the Oakton College Early Transfer Admission Program:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the application requirements?
In order to apply for Early Transfer Admissions, an applicant must:
- Be a current Oakton College student
- Have graduated from high school (as evidenced by a high school diploma or GED)
- Submit official high school transcripts from an US accredited high school with conferred date of completion or GED report
- Have completed a minimum of 24 transferable semester credit hours
- Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all transferable work taken at Oakton and all colleges/university prior to Oakton.
Do I have to complete my associate's degree?
No, but to maximize your transfer credits, completion of your associate's degree is highly recommended.
Can I apply to the full-time program at Northwestern through this program?
No, this program is only for the part-time programs and majors as outlined above at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.
Can I transfer to the full-time program after being accepted to this program?
Yes, but that is a separate application process. You will need to follow the processes outlined on the main Northwestern admissions page and meet those requirements.
Do I need to be full-time at Oakton to participate in this program?
No, we welcome part-time students, as the programs at SPS are designed for the needs of part-time working adults.
What happens if I change my major after joining this program or if I change my major after applying and receiving conditional admission from SPS?
When you join, you will choose a major to develop a transfer plan that makes sense for you and your goals. If you change your major, your plan will need to change — it will be important to maintain communication with both your Oakton academic adviser and your Northwestern enrollment adviser to ensure that you stay on track and maintain your eligibility. If you received conditional admission and change your major, the requirements to receive full admission may also shift.
Note: If you are looking to transfer to Northwestern University as a full-time student, this guide will help you determine the best pathway for you. This program is separate and different from the Early Decision process for full-time applicants that is offered one time a year for fall admission.
About Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies (SPS) is one of the 12 colleges and schools of Northwestern University. Adult learning has been a core part of Northwestern’s mission since the founding of the School of Professional Studies in 1933. SPS is enmeshed throughout the University – sharing faculty members, creating innovative programs and setting the standard for higher education for adults. SPS students learn in a supportive, collaborative environment in courses — offered online and in the evenings on Northwestern's Chicago and Evanston campuses — that enable them to balance their personal and professional lives with the pursuit of learning. Classes in SPS degree and certificate programs are taught by some of the university's most respected and talented teachers — scholars and professionals who value the diversity, energy, and creativity of our students.