Northwestern Feinberg

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, IL · Private · MD

Median MCAT: 520
Median GPA: 3.95
Class size: 141 (8,936 applicants)
Tuition: $76,512 (per year)
Out-of-state applicants: Welcome

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Nov. 1, 2026
Early Decision Program: Aug. 1, 2026
Secondary deadline: Nov. 15, 2026

Essays

Why Feinberg and Chicago (200 words)

Feinberg's mission is to train future leaders who will serve their patients, communities and society. Explain which aspects of Feinberg will support your future goals in medicine and how FSM, located in Chicago, will help you achieve these professional aspirations.

A work to share (200 words)

Describe a favorite book, movie, album, or other work of art you would like to share with your future classmates and why.

Personal narrative (200 words)

The Feinberg School of Medicine values the totality of our students' experiences. As everyone has their own narrative, please describe how your experiences have shaped your interests, preparation for medicine, or perspective on patient care, and how they may contribute to your development with the Northwestern community.

Post-undergraduate experiences (200 words)

POST-UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCES (if applicable): If you have one year or more between college graduation and medical school matriculation, describe both your completed activities and anticipated plans, including the extent of your involvement.

Reapplicant (200 words)

REAPPLICANT (if applicable): If you are reapplying to medical school, please address steps taken to enhance your application.

Family connection (Yes/No; 50 words if yes)

Do you or an immediate family member have an existing relationship with the Feinberg School of Medicine?

Editor's notes

The Feinberg secondary isn't a signal. Anyone verified with an MCAT of 500 or higher gets one, so the real test is what you do with 600 words across three short essays. At 200 words each, every sentence has to carry a fact about you.
Get in early. AMCAS closes Nov. 1, 2026 with no extensions, but interviews start in late August and acceptances begin in December. Most seats aren't committed until March, so a later file still has a chance. It just faces a longer wait.
The interview day is three one-on-one conversations, two with faculty and one with a senior student. The candidate characteristics page says interviewers will probe your motivation for medicine and what you already know about it. Be ready to talk specifics about your clinical hours.
Early decision here is a real commitment. You need office approval by May 15 and materials by June 1, before you've even submitted AMCAS, and admits can't defer. If you aren't sure Feinberg is your first choice by spring, skip it.