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First-Year Admission

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

After submitting an application to Northwestern, students may apply to the MMSS Program using the same login credentials as the applicant Status Portal. 

Click here to start the MMSS application

The MMSS application deadline for both early decision and regular decision candidates is March 1, 2026.

Decisions will be released April of 2026. 

The MMSS Program admits approximately 30 first-year students and 15 sophomores each year. Students who enter the program as first-year students complete the MMSS coursework in their first and sophomore years; while a students who enter the program as sophomores complete the MMSS coursework in their sophomore and junior years. Both first-year-entry and sophomore-entry students write their thesis during senior year.

High school seniors are invited to apply to enter the program as first-year students. They must apply both  Northwestern (either Early Decision or Regular Decision) and MMSS. The MMSS application can be completed online (see note above). A strong high school curriculum, including a year of calculus, is required for admission. Students without any calculus background should take introductory calculus their first year and apply to enter the MMSS program as a sophomore. 

Competitive applicants are expected to have completed a rigorous mathematics curriculum, including one-variable differential and integral calculus, or to have demonstrated equivalent mastery through examinations. Examples of acceptable preparation include:

Other independent or national curricula may also be accepted, provided they meet the criteria outlined above.

MMSS decisions will be released to students admitted to Northwestern in April 2026.

Those on the waitlist will not receive an MMSS decision until they have been moved off of the waitlist. Students denied admission to Northwestern will not receive an MMSS decision.

More information about applying to Northwestern