International students who accept the offer of admission from the Kellogg School of Management will need to apply for a visa to study in the United States.  They should apply for this visa as soon as possible.  All Fall 2013 enrollees must submit their I-20/DS-2019 Requests to the International Office by June 1, 2013.

The Graduate School at Northwestern University provides a nice introduction for international students on their Web site regarding services and English language and cultural programs, housing, and other issues concerning matriculation:

• For all enrolling graduate students

• For all enrolling doctoral students (specific information relating to their program of study)

The International Office at Northwestern University assists students and faculty with the visa process. The first step would be to visit the International Office’s Web site. Once on this site, you want to access the link for “New Students” and complete the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form (available March, 1, 2013). This website also outlines the differences between a J-1 and F-1 Visa. 

IMPORTANT:  When entering information into the request form, in the section that requests the “Program,” make sure you select “The Graduate School (TGS):PhD” in the dropdown menu. Do not select any programs from “Kellogg,” which are tied to MBA study.  The PhD Program at Kellogg falls under the Graduate School at Northwestern University.

The completed form, along with a pdf/scanned copy of your Kellogg offer letter documenting your financial support, should be sent by e-mail to the International Office:  intadmit@northwestern.edu.

Once this form is received by the International Office, processing time for the visa documents is about 10 business days or two weeks.  Please note, the earliest you can enter the country is August 13, 2013.  The program start date is universally set for graduate students and that date is September 12, 2013.  You can enter the country 30 days before.  Although Math Review starts Tuesday, September 3, we cannot change the program start date any earlier to accommodate Math Review students. 

For Current US Visa Holders:  If you are currently enrolled in a college/university in the US, have recently graduated from a college/university in the US, or completed or are completing a period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT), you must transfer your SEVIS record to Northwestern University.  To initiate your transfer, ask your current (or previous) institution’s International Student Advisor to complete the Transfer Form for Northwestern.  The International Office will not accept an I-20/DS-2019 Request for a student transferring unless the student completes and includes the Transfer Form for Northwestern with the request.  The student must indicate a “SEVIS Release Date” on the Transfer Form which will inform the International Office when they will be given access to your SEVIS record.  Processing time for current visa holders will be 10 business days from the SEVIS Release Date.

Any questions regarding the I-20/DS-2019 process can be directed to Susan Jackman, Administrative Director, Office of Doctoral Studies, Kellogg School of Management.  She can be reached by telephone at 847-491-2832 or by e-mail at s-jackman@kellogg.northwestern.edu.

The International Office at Northwestern has a great deal of information helpful to new students, so you are strongly encouraged to visit their website.