FAQ
Admissions & Eligibility
Auditions are not a part of the NHSI’s admission process for any summer institute, in part because Northwestern’s School of Communication does not require an audition for its undergraduate majors.
All international students whose first language is not English must submit scores from an English Language Test (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the admission process. All NHSI curriculum is conducted in English and there is no time for translating scripts, lectures, etc. Exceptions are considered for students studying in a U.S. or Canadian high school – email nhsi@northwestern.edu to request a waiver for the English Language Test Score.
International students do not need a Student Visa or an I-20 to attend the NHSI, as we do not award college credit. International students need only a B-2 Tourism Visa, which covers “Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree,” or enrollment in the Visa Waiver Program via the ESTA.
Academics & Program Experience
No. The taking of the ACT or SAT, as well as any AP or college credit courses during a summer institute is highly discouraged, as the rigor of the schedule does not allow for proper study time or engagement in these tests or classes.
Attendance at ALL Institute activities and classes is mandatory. The NHSI is not a typical summer camp. Classes, projects, practice tournaments, and productions require your presence, and therefore, it is necessary for all students to participate in all activities, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Neither grades nor credit are awarded for any summer institutes, high school residencies, or online workshops. As such, we do not issue transcripts upon completion of our programming. We can offer a certificate or letter of completion upon request.
The Northwestern Debate Institute currently offers instruction in two-person Policy Debate only. Please understand that the Institute’s curriculum is tailored to the high school competitive version of these events (i.e. for students who compete in National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) or local and national circuit style debate (such as the Tournament of Champions or NDCA tournaments) and is not tailored to be a general public speaking or leadership program. Currently, we do not offer programs with curriculum specific to Congressional Debate, Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum or Speech Events (IEs).
Travel & Arrival
Students should plan to arrive on campus before 2 pm on their program’s start date. This will give you sufficient time to get settled in before orientation. The administrative office must be notified if your travels are delayed such that you will arrive later than 2 pm.
Students/families are responsible for arranging all travel to and from the Institute. The NHSI does NOT provide shuttle service. However, many cab companies offer advance scheduling and flat rates to and from the airports. More information is in the student handbook, which is sent to admitted students ahead of their arrival.
Some institutes incorporate field trips into Chicago as part of the summer. Field trips and associated ticket or transportation costs are included in the tuition price for the NHSI. Students may consider bringing money to spend while on a field trip, but this is not mandatory.
Housing & Residential Life
A packing list for essential and suggested items will be included in each division’s student handbook, which is sent to admitted students ahead of their arrival.
All students must live on campus for the summer institutes, and the specific residence hall will be communicated before arrival day. Students can expect to live in a hall with the rest of their division. Students will be separated by floors or by common areas based on gender identity. All residence halls are air-conditioned. All meals are eaten in university dining halls.
Students should expect to have a roommate. Single room requests will only be considered out of medical necessity if space allows.
Students must abide by the curfew set by their division and communicated at orientation. Curfews may be different for weekends and may change at any point in the summer at the discretion of division leadership.
Student Life, Safety & Supervision
Faculty-student ratio varies from 1:5 to 1:10. Faculty Associates (FAs), who serve as Resident Assistants, are current college students from Northwestern and other universities across the nation. FAs live in the halls and accompany students to classes, rehearsals, film projects, labs, and other scheduled programming, so students always have a trusted staff member nearby.
Students are welcome to explore campus unsupervised during their minimal free time, and walk to local shops in Evanston with at least one buddy within the same division. Each division has a check out procedure to explore in this way, so that staff are always aware of the students’ whereabouts.
Students may not have cars on campus. All students live in University housing; there is no commuter option. Students are forbidden to drive vehicles during the program. No student will be allowed to ride in any motor vehicle or via any CTA transit system, under any circumstance, unless with written parental permission and NHSI approval, or while on an official NHSI field trip.
Bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and the like are prohibited. Students may not rent public scooters or bicycles during their time in the NHSI.
Technology & Communication
A cell phone, with service in the United States, is required for attendance. Students must follow the cell phone policies in place for their division, but all divisions require students to carry a cell phone during free time when exploring campus or downtown Evanston. International students must purchase service in the U.S. and cannot rely on Wi-Fi.
Students in Playwriting and Film & Video Screenwriting must bring a laptop, Chromebook, or tablet with keyboard attachment in order to fully participate in their programs.
Debate students must have a laptop with Microsoft Word downloaded as a desktop app - Chromebooks, tablets, and web versions of Word are insufficient.
If an admitted student has a barrier to access this technology, please contact our office to inquire about accommodations.
Film & Video Production students, as well as Theatre Arts SMDT students, are encouraged to bring a computer, but not required.
The NHSI is not responsible for any items students bring with them to the program.
Dining & Accessibility
Northwestern has a dietitian on staff for its summer programs to address any specific dietary needs that students may have. The dining hall has a station that is free of the top 9 allergens as well as options for vegan and vegetarian students at every meal. Beyond this, Dining Services at NU is limited in what they can offer during the summer, and accommodations for more significant dietary needs vary from year to year in availability. If you keep kosher or consider yourself to have significant dietary restrictions, please contact our office to discuss dining options.
We will work with students and their families on a case-by-case basis to best accommodate any special needs that an applicant may have. Please alert us early so that we can have sufficient time to help make the program accessible to all students.
Film & Video Production
Students may not use their own camera for NHSI projects.
All Film & Video students use the same NHSI film equipment and have access to the same high-quality grip and electric gear used by Northwestern R/TV/F students. Students may not use their own camera for NHSI projects.
- Canon C100 Mark II Cinema Cameras with Cine Lens Kits
- Complete Camera Support Kits including Tripods, Follow Focus, Rails, Shoulder Mounts, and Matte Box
- DJI RONIN Stabilization Rigs with Wireless Follow Focus
- GoPro Hero4 Camera and Accessory Kits
- DJI Phantom 4 Camera Drone
- Zoom H4n Audio Recorders with Sennheiser Boom Kits
- Greenscreen/White Cyc Studio with LED Lighting Grid
- Professional Soundstage and Isolation Booth
- Industry-Standard Grip & Electric Equipment including Mole-Richardson Tungsten Lighting Packages
- Post-Production labs with Adobe Premiere Pro software