What is required of me when I apply to the MSLOC program?

What is required of me when I apply to the MSLOC program?
Degree
Experience
A minimum of three years' work
experience
Forms
Non-Degree/Certificate (up to 5
core courses)
A minimum of three years' work
experience
Non-Degree to Degree
Completed application form Completed application form Updated application form
Transcripts
Official transcripts from every
college/university attended
Resumé
Official transcripts from every
college/university attended
Resumé Resumé Updated Resumé
Statement of Purpose and Essays
Statement of purpose
Essays
Test Scores
GRE/GMAT official copy of
score if undergraduate GPA is
less than a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
TOEFL
TOEFL official copy of score
(International applicants)
Recommendations
Statement of purpose
GRE/GMAT official copy of
score if undergraduate GPA is
less than a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
TOEFL official copy of score
(International applicants)
N/A
N/A
Updated statement of purpose
Essays
Two letters of recommendation N/A One letter of recommendation
Fees
$100 application processing fee
Interview
Personal interview (if requested
by the Admissions Committee)
$100 application processing
fee
Personal interview (if requested
by the Admissions Committee)
N/A
N/A
$100 application processing
fee
N/A
The above application requirements are described in detail on the following pages.

Forms – What am I asked on the application form?
All sections of the MSLOC application form must be thoroughly completed with accurate and upto-date
information.
• Personal Information
o Name
o Date of Birth
o Citizenship Information
o Gender (voluntary)
o Racial/Ethnic Background (voluntary)
o Current and Permanent Contact Information
• Program Information
o Master’s Degree vs. Certificate/Non-Degree
o Full-Time vs. Part-Time Attendance
o Desired Entry Quarter
• Academic Information – undergraduate and graduate
o Institution
o Major
o Dates Attended
o GPA
o Degree Earned
o Previous Northwestern Applications, if any
• Employment History
o Three Most Recent Employers
Employer
Position
Industry
Dates
Location
Starting and Ending Base Salary
Bonus/Commission Earned
Primary Responsibilities
Reason for Leaving
• Test Scores
o GRE (optional, recommended if GPA

Statement of Purpose
Please adhere to the maximum number of characters/words guidelines provided with each essay
question.
Statement of Purpose
MSLOC reviewers ask two important questions when reviewing your statement of purpose.
The first is “Is this the right program for you?” We want to be sure you understand our
program’s distinctions and how you plan to leverage the rich experiences and knowledge
you will gain as a result of your time and investment. Secondly, we want to understand how
you will contribute to our scholarly and social community. Our program is purposefully
designed around collaborative learning and participation, and our community of students,
faculty, alumni and organizational partners forms strong social networks that inspire lifelong
professional and personal relationships.
Describe your short-term career goal once you complete your degree. Then, provide a brief
overview of your ideal career path over the next 10-15 years as you pursue your career
objectives, and explain what you hope to have accomplished at the end of the experience.
Finally, describe how you expect the MSLOC Program will have helped you achieve your
career goals. (600 words maximum)
Essays (DEGREE ONLY)
Short Essays, Part One
1. Describe your two most important professional or personal accomplishments to date and
why you believe they are important. (250 words maximum)
2. Describe a time when you had to choose between two equally attractive (or two equally
un-attractive) options. What did you decide? Describe how you arrived at your Decision.
(250 words maximum)
3. If you had to select only two of the following competencies to develop within the next
year, which two would you select and why? (250 words maximum)
Short Essays, Part Two – pick one of two
1. Describe what you feel most passionate about in life and why. (250 words maximum)
2. Write a candid description of yourself, highlighting the personal characteristics you
believe to be your strengths and weakness, and the main factors that have influenced
your personal development. (250 words maximum)
Full-Length Essays – pick one of two
1. Explain the role of 'community' in a graduate program and the characteristics of an
effective community. What are the two most important things you could contribute to
the MSLOC Community? Why do you think these are important? (400 words maximum)
2. Describe a time when you had to work with others who disagreed on the path your team
should take to achieve an objective. What was your role in relation to the others and
what did you do? Describe the outcome, whether or not it was successful, and what you
did following that outcome. (400 words maximum)

Experience
Applicants must have a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience prior to their beginning
the MSLOC Program. Students in the MSLOC program come from many different sizes and types of
workplaces, and they have on average nine years of work experience.
Transcripts
We require one official transcript from every college, university or professional school attended,
whether or not you graduated. Transcripts must be sent to the Master’s Program in Learning &
Organizational Change (see address below) in envelopes sealed by the issuing colleges or
universities. PDF files originating from the issuing college or university are acceptable as well.
Transcripts not received in this manner are not considered official and will not be accepted.
You should request all test scores, transcripts or letters of recommendation completed offline to be
sent to:
Master of Science in Learning & Organizational Change Program
Attn: Leslie Zimmerman
Northwestern University
Annenberg Hall, Room 137
2120 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Resume
Include an original copy of your current resume in PDF or Word format.
Recommendations (DEGREE ONLY)
Individuals submitting recommendation letters on your behalf will receive an e-mail directing them
to a web link.
The strongest recommendations usually come from those who are familiar with your professional
and/or academic experience and can comment knowledgably on your ability to work effectively in
a team, to take on leadership roles, to adapt to challenges, and to think critically and analytically.
Ideally, one of your professional recommendations should be written by a current or recent
supervisor or manager. The second professional recommendation also should be from someone
who can objectively evaluate your recent work performance.
Students who are already enrolled as non-degree and who are applying for full degree status need
to submit only ONE letter of recommendation.
Test Scores
For applicants who do not have a strong academic record (i.e., below 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale), the
MSLOC Program will also consider (and strongly recommends) GMAT or GRE scores.

International Applicants/TOEFL
Much of your success in graduate study in the United States will depend on your ability to
understand, read, write and speak English. If English is not your native language, evidence of
proficiency in its use will be decisive in reviewing your application for admission.
Applicants whose native language is not English must certify their proficiency in the English
language in ONE of the following three ways:
1. Providing official scores for the TOEFL or IELTS exam AND the Test of Spoken English
(TSE). These tests must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of
entry. For the TOEFL, an applicant must score 600 or higher on the paper-based test (PBT),
250 or higher on the computer-based test (CBT) and 100 or higher on the internet-based
test (iBT). For the IELTS, an applicant must score 7.0 or higher. For the TSE, applicants
must have a minimum score of 50.
2. Providing official transcripts verifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited fouryear
institution or equivalent, where the language of instruction is English.
3. Providing official transcripts verifying a graduate degree from an accredited institution
where the language of instruction is English.
TOEFL results must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Personal copies are
not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies. However, it is to your advantage to
include a paper copy of your score report in your application materials. This will aid us in verifying
your scores quickly, should there be any delay in receiving the official report, and to identify any
errors in the electronic report.
The institutional code for MSLOC is 2591.
Fees
A nonrefundable application processing fee of $100 US should be submitted online with your
completed application. This application fee is required for each MSLOC application that you
submit — including non-degree to degree applications.
Once you are offered admission, and you submit your online “Intention to Register” form signifying
your intent to enroll in the MSLOC program, a nonrefundable deposit of $100 US is due, which will
be applied toward your MSLOC Retreat and new student orientation. For students selecting the Low
Residency Option starting in Spring 2009, a nonrefundable low residency fee and deposit of
$2,000 is required to be submitted with your Intention to Register form. This fee covers meal and
event expenses for the cohort sessions held on the Evanston campus.
Our receipt of your submitted form and deposit prompts us to initiate the University entry process
and plan for your matriculation into the MSLOC Program. All checks and money orders should be
made payable to Northwestern University and sent to the MSLOC office at the mailing address
listed below.
Interview
Once we receive your application, selected applicants will be scheduled for a personal interview
with a MSLOC Admissions Committee member. Interviews are awarded at the discretion of the
MSLOC Admissions Committee; not all applicants may be interviewed. Interviewees can choose to
participate via phone or in person. A completed application is not a requirement for scheduling an
interview.