2026 Admission Details
Early Admission Deadline
January 2, 2026 – Online Application Forms are due (link to apply below)
January 9, 2026 – All supporting materials are due (details are sent once we receive your app)
February 6, 2026 – Students will be notified of their admission status by 5pm CST
Regular Admission Deadline
February 27, 2026 – Online Application Forms are due (link to apply below)
March 6, 2026 – All supporting materials are due (details are sent once we receive your app)
April 3, 2026 – Students will be notified of their admission status by 5pm CST
Students will have one week to Accept or Decline their spot if admitted.
Eligibility
The Theatre Arts Division of the NHSI is a competitive program. Application decisions, made by the Admissions Committee, are based on ability and merit. Enrollment is limited.
- Applicants must be sophomores or juniors in high school (10th or 11th grade) who will be rising into their junior or senior years of high school during their summer at Northwestern. Juniors receive priority consideration.
- Applicants should rank academically near the top 30% of your high school class.
- Meet a high standard of character, responsibility, and intellect
- Able to provide evidence of experience and/or substantial interest in the theatre arts.
How to Apply
- Submit the National High School Institute Application including $60 application fee.
- Receive a confirmation email from NHSI with instructions on how to submit supporting materials, completing your application. You should receive this confirmation email within 2-3 business days of submitting the online app.
- Submit the supporting materials as outlined to complete your application. These include a resume, two essay responses, a letter of recommendation, current high school transcript, and standardized test scores (optional). Performance students applying for the MT Extension are required to submit a short video of themselves singing. Further details will be included in your confirmation email.
Spend your summer steeped in the art of theatre and discover what’s possible.
