S submitted his Common App and Northwestern Writing Supplement on Dec. 26. He has yet to get an email saying that it has been received and telling him how to check to see if all the other pieces of his app have arrived (transcript, SAT scores, etc.). Does Northwestern send out such emails, or should I call to check on his application status? I dont want to find out in April that his app couldn’t be considered because he had something missing (his high school has had some problems sending in transcripts/secondary school reports in a timely manner to some other colleges) that we didn’t know about. If someone could just tell me what the usual procedure is for Northwestern, that would be great. Thanks for the help!
I didn’t receive an email when I applied ED until two weeks after the due date, so I wouldn’t worry just yet. The email just said that they were happy to see I was applying early decision, so that was confirmation enough for me that they got my application. I also got an email three days later saying that my application was complete and under evaluation. I never got an email stating specifically anything that they still needed from me.
Another way to check if they’ve received his application is by going to the “Recommenders and FERPA” section on the Common App. If any of the items on the page (School Report, Teacher Evaluation, etc.) say “Downloaded: [date here]”, then they’ve got the application!
Thanks @Jamesesesess - that is very helpful! The Recommenders do say Downloaded, so I guess the only potentially missing items would be Transcript and SAT scores. For now we will just assume all is there and ready for review and hope an email will show up in a couple of weeks saying everything is complete.
Hope you got good news from your ED application!
@zebrarunner So it does not say “Downloaded” next to School Report? Because that would be the transcript as well as the counselor’s recommendation letter. I know that the transcript can be sent after the deadline, but I would have your son talk to his counselor and make sure it gets sent ASAP if it hasn’t been already. As far as SAT scores, they accept scores from the January date which don’t get sent until February 12th, so I wouldn’t worry about that. If your son doesn’t receive an email from them by maybe January 20th (remember that since the RD round has many more applicants than ED, so he may not receive an email as soon as I did), that’s when I would call Northwestern and make sure everything’s okay with his application.
And thank you for the kind thoughts! 
I was deferred but I’m still hopeful and ambitious; Northwestern remains my dream school. The best of luck to your son! Anyone with parents involved enough in the process to be a member on CC must have a lot of potential! Hopefully we’ll both get good news this spring.
I might email NU just in case. I never received an official conformation email for ED until two weeks after I summited my app, but I know some emails were already sent this week (like related to the extended supplement deadline) if you started the common app. I believe some applicants got screwed in the ED round because a glitch prevented NU from getting their application, and those students never received a conformation email or inquired about it. If you send a email they can very quickly tell you if they received your application so really it can only help.
Once you are on their email list (recieved the official email from NU telling you they’ve received your basic info) from the common app NU next sends you info on what they still need from you (if anything) for your application to be considered complete for review.
@zebrarunner If anyone should be calling the admissions office, should it be your son? I don’t think admissions offices like to talk to parents when the student will be the one big enough to go off to college? It seems like you are more concerned about it than he is…
@yolanda1996 - absolutely would tell S to do it. But seems like this is the usual NW way so hopefully no one needs to call and eventually he will get some sort of notice.
I just got an email a couple hours ago saying my application has been received, and I applied on the 31st.
@twirlergirl42 I still haven’t gotten my email yet and I applied on the 22nd! Now I am a little worried
Oh! It’s in my junk folder! Now why would it be in there?
@stahboy I think it says in the email, but make sure you add them to your contacts so the emails don’t get sent to your junk folder anymore!
@twirlergirl42 That was the first thing I did! Haha yeah I also received another email about my app being complete and under review.