Click on the links below to start your Bienen School Supplement and review detailed application instructions from the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Undergraduate Application & Timeline
- First-Year Early Decision Timeline
- First-Year Regular Decision
- Transfer Early Decision
- Transfer Regular Decision
- Checklist
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Fall 2026 First-Year Early Decision
August 1
Bienen School Supplement available online
October 15
ALL ED and QuestBridge applicants: Bienen School Supplement submission deadline (this includes prescreening materials if applicable, BA materials, and BM composition portfolios)
November 1
Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Application due through Northwestern
November 14
QuestBridge auditions must be completed
November 24
Early Decision auditions must be completed
Mid-December
Northwestern admission decision released
February 1
Enrollment deposit due
NOTE: Finalists from the QuestBridge application process applying to the Bienen School must submit prescreening materials by October 15, 2025 and complete their performance audition (if applicable) before November 15, 2025.
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Fall 2026 First-Year Regular Decision Timeline
August 1
Bienen School Supplement available online
December 1
ALL RD applicants: Bienen School Supplement submission deadline (this includes prescreening materials if applicable, BA materials, and BM composition portfolios)
January 2
Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Application due through Northwestern
February 6-15
On-campus auditions
Late March
Northwestern admission decision released
May 1
Enrollment deposit due
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Fall 2026 Early Decision Transfer Applicant Timeline
January 15 PRIORITY DEADLINE
Bienen School Supplement due (this includes prescreening materials if applicable, BA materials, and BM composition portfolios)
January 15 PRIORITY DEADLINE
Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Application and all supplemental materials due
February 6-15
Priority ED transfer on-campus auditions
March 2 STANDARD DEADLINE
Bienen School Supplement due (this includes prescreening materials if applicable, BA materials, and BM composition portfolios)
March 2 STANDARD DEADLINE
Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Application and all supplemental materials due
March
Standard deadline ED transfer auditions
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Fall 2026 Regular Decision Transfer Applicant Timeline
January 15 PRIORITY DEADLINE
Bienen School Supplement due (this includes prescreening materials if applicable, BA materials, and BM composition portfolios)
January 15 PRIORITY DEADLINE
Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Application and all supplemental materials due
February 6-15
Priority RD transfer on-campus auditions
April 1 STANDARD DEADLINE
Bienen School Supplement due (this includes prescreening materials if applicable, BA materials, and BM composition portfolios)
April 1 STANDARD DEADLINE
Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Application and all supplemental materials due
April
Standard deadline RD transfer auditions
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Undergraduate Application Checklist
All prescreening recordings and music program requirements should be uploaded to the Bienen School of Music Supplement.
We recommend separating each prescreening selection into individual files. Alternatively, within the Bienen School Supplement, you are also welcome to input a link to a video uploaded to an external website such as YouTube or Vimeo.
Do not mail any materials to the Bienen School of Music; items that are mailed to the Bienen School of Music will not be returned.
Dual Degree and Double Major Applicants
Applicants interested in pursuing a double major or dual degree should indicate this on the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Application.
When you apply for a double major or dual degree and complete all requirements, you will receive a single admission decision from Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. This decision will include information on which school(s) you have been accepted to within Northwestern University, including the Bienen School of Music.