Health Sciences Integrated Program�(HSIP) �Application Guide

Pre-Application Reminders

Pre-Application Reminders

2

• Deadline is December 1: 11:59PM US-CST - Applicants are responsible for submitting all materials including letters of recommendation (LORs) and English Proficiency Certification by the deadline.
• GRE scores are not required.
• The application fee is $95, which must be paid by credit card.
• Application fee waivers are handled by the Graduate School (TGS) and not HSIP. Note that only US Citizens & Domestic applicants are eligible.
• TGS only allows for one (1) application per admissions cycle.
• Prerequisite coursework for Biostatistics (BIOSTAT) applicants include:
• One (1) year of calculus
• One (1) semester/quarter of linear algebra
• Prerequisite coursework for Medical Imaging applicants include:
• Undergraduate coursework in engineering, physics, advanced mathematics, and/or related topics.
• The Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety (HQPS) track will not admit new students for the 2026-27 cohort.
• Matriculation for this admissions cycle is only for Fall 2026.

​

​

​

​

Application Requirements

Required Application Items:

1. Academic and Personal Statement
2. Writing sample
3. Three (3) letters of recommendation (LORs)
4. Transcripts*
5. Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
6. English proficiency certification (TOEFL, IELTS)**

​

*Upload unofficial/official transcripts to the application. Do NOT mail official transcripts. Only required for applicants

who formally accept offers of admission.

** Or previous undergraduate/graduate degree from an accredited institution where language of instruction is English approved by The Graduate School (TGS). To confirm TOEFL waiver eligibility, please email the HSIP Inbox: hsip@northwestern.edu. Note that any TOEFL waivers are reviewed with TGS after application submission.

Starting your Application

Accessing Application Link

5

Applying to HSIP is completed entirely online. Link to the application portal now available on our Admissions page:

• Please check that the application system used is the one from the Graduate School (TGS) and not the SOPHAS version (this is only for applicants for our sister Master's of Public Health and not the PhD).
• If your application is submitted to the wrong system and you are unable to add materials, your application will be incomplete, please contact us via email for assistance.

Online Application Menu

6

• The Online Application Menu should look like the following:

New Applicants: Create Account

7

• New applicants must create an account in order to apply (shown right).
• Previous Northwestern graduates, current TGS students, and/or reapplicants can login to prior accounts created (see next slide).
• Fill out your account email/username and password in addition to your Personal Information.
• Review Terms of Service/Privacy prior to approval in order to create your account.

Reapplicants: Login

8

• Previous Northwestern graduates, current TGS students, and/or reapplicants can login to prior accounts created (shown below):

​

• If a prior email used for an account is no longer active, create a new account in order to apply.

​

Application History

Verify Application Type

10

• Make sure to verify the correct application type in the Application History tab (shown below, Application Types listed in Notes).

Personal Information

Fill in Personal Information

12

• In the Personal Info tab, fill out all Personal Information. Note that any emails/phone numbers should be current for program communication regarding your application.

Program Information

Program Selection: Select School

14

• In the Program Information tab, select Feinberg School of Medicine (shown below):

Program Selection: Select HSIP

15

• Under the Feinberg School of Medicine list, select Health Sciences Integrated Program: PHD – Program Code – H01PH (shown below):

Program Selection: Select Term

16

• In the HSIP submenu, select Term: Fall 2026 (shown left).
• Note that the submenu lists out all application requirements in detail and also after in the Program Display section.

Program Selection: Specialization

17

At the bottom of the Program Display, you will see the Specialization section where you must select your track (shown below):

• Links to respective track info are in the Notes section.
• Note that you can only choose one (1) track.
• Applicants cannot change tracks after application submission.

Academic Program/Faculty

Selecting Faculty Mentors

19

In the Academic Program/Faculty tab, input the faculty mentors you are interested in working with:

• To view the most updated faculty roster and their profiles, check the A-Z faculty list, where you can also choose faculty by track.
• Try not to leave this section blank! Recommendation to list all potential faculty members you are interested in working with. Maximum of six (6).

​

Information for Academic Program

20

• In the Academic Program/Faculty tab at the bottom is a section called Academic Program (shown right).
• Optional: if you have an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID), please feel free to note it here.
• Required questions related to the following:
• if you are a dual-degree student (JD/PhD or associated with a foreign partner institution),
• transferring from an institution outside of Northwestern with a faculty member,
• Confirm if you have applied previously, and
• Confirm if you are currently or were previously enrolled.

Background Information

Background Information

22

• In the Background Information tab, you will need to complete questions regarding the following:
• your professional plans after completing the program,
• listing any honors/awards you have received,
• noting if you have applied or have been awarded any funding to be used while in the program at Northwestern if accepted,
• any affiliation with certain groups, and
• Any language fluency outside of English.

Application Fee Waiver

23

• Reminder that Application Fee Waivers are handled directly by TGS and not HSIP.
• Only for US and Domestic Citizens. Eligibility listed on TGS’ Application Fee section of their website and also listed in the Notes section.

Essays

Academic Statement

25

Write a statement that answers the following questions (500-1,000 words max – PDF preferred):

• What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?
• How has your academic and professional background prepared you for graduate study? (Please include any research, training, or educational experiences that align with the program you are applying to.)
• Why is the Northwestern graduate program to which you are applying the best place for you to pursue your academic, intellectual, and professional goals?
• (For research-focused programs) Please make sure to address any scholarly questions you wish to explore in the program and name any specific faculty members in this program whose research interests align with your own.

Academic Statement

26

Screenshot shown below:

Personal Statement

27

Write a statement that includes any relevant information on one or more of the following topics (125-250 words max – PDF preferred):

• Pivotal experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges that have influenced your educational and professional development.
• Leadership experiences, community outreach, service initiatives, or research projects you have participated in or plan to pursue that aim to positively impact others or the broader community.
• Anything you would like to share with the admissions committee that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application can be addressed here. This may include any gaps in your academic and professional experience, or additional context if you believe your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon the topics discussed in the above essays.

Personal Statement

28

Screenshot shown below:

Educational Background

Educational Background

30

• TGS requires admitted students to have at minimum a Bachelors degree.
• Applicants in current Bachelors or Master’s programs are required to complete all degree requirements prior to matriculation (September 2026).
• For longer institution names, input as much as the character limit allows. The Admissions Committee will review transcripts to confirm the full name.
• Reminder: Any paper transcripts not directly uploaded to the application portal and sent to the university by applicants will not be reviewed.
• Only applicants who received and accepted an offer of admission need their official transcripts mailed.
• Transcripts should be uploaded to the application without password protection or other security features in order for the Admissions Committee to view without issue.
• If you received your transcript electronically from your institution, the transcript is likely security enabled. When you submit your application the security features will activate and your transcript will become unreadable.
• To ensure that we will be able to view your transcript, always print the transcript, scan it, save it as a PDF, and then upload the PDF. In doing so, you will turn off any security features.

Educational Background

31

• Include up to five (5) Institutions for your Educational Background with unofficial transcripts added (see screenshot below):

Adding Currently Enrolled

Degree Program Coursework Info

32

​

If you are currently enrolled in a degree program where final grades won’t be available until after the 12/1 deadline, please note the following:

​

1. For the question that asks: "Have you or will you earn a degree from this institution?", select "Yes" as shown below:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Adding Currently Enrolled

Degree Program Coursework Info Continued

33

2. Specify the following:

1. type of Degree Earned or Expected from the dropdown menu,
2. the date when the degree will be officially conferred*,
3. full title of the Major in the Major(s) Field(s) as shown below:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

*Note that if an applicant receives an offer of admission, any currently enrolled degree programs must be completed prior to matriculation.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Adding Currently Enrolled

Degree Program Coursework Info Continued

34

3. Upload your current program’s unofficial transcripts:

​

​

​

​

​

Optional: In the event that you are currently taking relevant coursework to your track (i.e. quantitative/data science, research courses, etc) and want to specify your current grade, in addition to the unofficial transcript, add into the PDF a letter with your institution’s official letterhead directly from your instructor stating the following:

1. your current class grade and
2. the date when final grades will be posted.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Adding Currently Enrolled

Certificate/Non-degree Coursework Info

35

​

If you are currently enrolled in a either a certificate program and/or additional non-degree coursework where final grades won’t be available until after the 12/1 deadline, please note the following depending on the type of program:

​

• For the question that asks: "Have you or will you earn a degree from this institution?", select "No" as shown below:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Adding Currently Enrolled

Certificate/Non-degree Coursework Info Continued

​

36

2. Under the Degree Earned or Expected menu, input either "US Non-Degree coursework" or "International Non-Degree coursework" and the date* of when the certificate program or coursework should be completed by as shown on the right.

*Note that if an applicant receives an offer of admission, any certificate or coursework must be completed prior to matriculation.

​

3. In the Major(s) Field(s), specify the name of either the Certificate Program or the non-degree program that you are currently completing additional coursework at.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Adding Currently Enrolled

Certificate/Non-degree Coursework Info Continued

​

37

​

4. In place of the transcript shown below, upload a letter (as a PDF) with your institution’s official letterhead directly from your instructor stating the following:

1. your current class grade and
2. the date when final grades will be posted.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Educational Background

38

• Note “Yes” or “No” if you have received any Disciplinary Violation (see screenshot below):

• If you answered “Yes”, please upload an explanation:

Grade Point Average�(GPA)

Grade Point Average (GPA)

40

• Input your GPA using a 4.0 system (see next slide for screenshot).
• If your institution does not use a 4.0 system, input your undergraduate/graduate GPA including all courses used for credit towards the undergraduate/graduate degree. Then list the max GPA possible at your respective institution.
• Optional for international applicants: World Education Services (WES) evaluations helpful to convert GPAs to a 4.0 scale, compare degree equivalencies, etc for the Admissions Committee during the application review, but are not required.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

41

Not Applicable: �Test Scores�GREs NOT required

Not Applicable: Test Scores

43

• Reminder that GRE scores will not be required and will not be accepted.
• Any scores sent to the university will not be included in the review process.
• See screenshot of Test Scores section below for reference:

Additional Statements

Writing Sample

45

• Include a research paper (30-page maximum); papers submitted by mail or email will not be considered (see screenshot below):

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• Examples include published/unpublished research papers, co-authored research with your contribution to the work designated, manuscripts (can be in-progress), grants and previous undergraduate/graduate research projects.

Resumé/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

46

• Upload your resume/CV as shown below:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• PDF preferred for file uploads.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Optional: Publications

47

• If applicable, please upload a complete list of all the publications (books or peer-reviewed journal articles) that you have authored or co-authored as shown below:

​

​

​

​

​

​

• All the publications you list should already be published (not 'in preparation’.)
• Please do your best to list all published works in MLA format.
• Feel free to note any in-progress work in your CV.
• PDF preferred for file uploads.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Letters of Recommendation�(LOR)

Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

49

• The program requires three (3) LORs to be submitted by the 12/1: 11:59PM US-CST deadline.
• Applicants are responsible for making sure the contact info for recommenders are current if any follow-ups are needed by the Admissions Committee during the review process.
• LORs are confidential and must be submitted via the online application portal.
• Applicants should waive their right to review upon submission by noting: “Yes” (see next slide for screenshot, circled in green).
• No special forms or templates are necessary.
• We prefer to see letters from professors or instructors who are familiar with your work at an advanced level and can speak to your potential for success as a doctoral student.
• Letters from employers are also accepted.

50

Recommendation Support

51

For most troubleshooting issues, please utilize the ApplyWeb Recommendation Support as shown below, examples of most common issues on the next two slides:

Troubleshooting: Edit/Change Recommender

52

To edit or change your recommender, follow the ApplyWeb instructions (example shown below):

Troubleshooting: Waive Right to Review

53

If you did not initially waive your right to review your LOR, follow the ApplyWeb instructions (example shown below):

Additional Information

Additional Information

55

• Please note additional information regarding any criteria (first question shown below):

Additional Information

56

• Also, note which factors contributed to your decision to apply to Northwestern (second question show below):

​

Optional: Additional Universities (in preferred rank order)

57

Optional: Rank the university to which you have applied to or intend to apply in order of preference as shown below:

​

Research Experience

58

• Note all past and current research experience by their respective categories (Summer research experience, Academic-year research experience, Full-time research experience, and/or Internship) shown below:

​

​

​

​

​

​

• All questions for each category are the same. For reference, please see Notes for all questions.
• If any research experience was part-time, still answer all questions fully.

​

​

​

Research Experience

59

• If there are multiple instances of a certain research category, please number and note them with the dates that they occurred. See example of more than one internship below:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Application Check

International Applicants:�Confirm English Proficiency Requirements

61

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Reminder that international applicants must certify English Proficiency either through:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Tests must have been taken within two years of the intended quarter of entry.
• TOEFL scores must be 600 or higher on the paper-based exam, 250 or higher on the computer-based exam or 100 or higher on the internet-based exam.
• IELTS scores must be 7.0 or higher. We do not require the Test of Spoken English.
• Or, an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English and approved by TGS.
• Please send an inquiry to the HSIP Inbox (hsip@northwestern.edu) to verify if your institution counts toward a TOEFL/IELTS waiver. 
• Note that the waiver will be manually applied AFTER application submission. The Admissions Committee reviews each application of required materials then applies the waiver.
• Additionally, reminder that applicants in any current programs must have any degrees awarded prior to matriculation.

Electronic Signature and Agreement

62

• Recommended to save and double check all Application Sections prior to application completion!
• Please take the time to review agreement prior to providing an electronic signature and date as shown in the Notes section below and on next slide.
• Once you provide your signature and submit, the application is complete!

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

63

Admissions Assistance?

Drop-in Admissions Assistance

• Select dates from November 7 – December 1
• Use time for any application questions or troubleshooting.
• There will be a Waiting Room as applicants receive individual assistance.
• Link to drop-in in notes below and also on HSIP Admissions page with session dates (see next page for screenshot).

65

Drop-in Admissions Assistance

66

Thank you for your interest in HSIP!

​

​