One way to help yourself adjust to the college lifestyle is to get involved on campus. Building relationships and making connections with campus leaders can provide you with a supportive network of people you can trust. But where should you start?

Assess your interests

You may have been involved in a number of activities in high school, but as you enter into this new phase of life, it’s worth taking stock of the activities you’d like to continue. Consider what types of activities bring you joy, enhance your skills and allow you to use your gifts. Give yourself permission to stop pursuing some things so you can make room for new experiences and to focus on your academics.

To help you identify and invest in your interests, the Compass Center for Career & Calling at Northwestern College offers a PathwayU online assessment. This tool gives insight into your personality, strengths and values, and can give you ideas about the types of groups and activities you should pursue.

Learn about your opportunities

Spend time reviewing the college website to learn about groups, clubs and activities offered for students. When you tour campus, pay attention to posters for events and activities. Ask current students, resident assistants and professors about the variety of ways students can be involved in student life and campus leadership.

From clubs to student government, faith groups, and student events, Northwestern’s campus life is full of opportunities to find “your people”. Check out nwciowa.edu/campus-life to learn more.

Set a goal

You know your personality and needs best. If you’re an extrovert who craves being with people, try to get involved in something right away. If you need to take things slowly and get settled first, give yourself time to establish a rhythm before committing to something more. Either way, don’t wait too long to get involved! Set a goal for yourself to be involved in some form of group, club or activity within the first semester.

Northwestern College’s annual fall Involvement Fair is a perfect place to learn about available opportunities and talk with other students about their experiences in various clubs. All new students are strongly encouraged to check out the fair as a first step in getting involved.

Be brave

College is your own experience to shape, and getting involved in campus life will help you learn more about yourself, teach you about life and create lasting memories. Step out in faith and try something you’ve never tried before. The more you invest in your college experience, the more you will gain. So, go for it!

Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, is a place you can belong and be equipped for life. At Northwestern, you’ll gain a standout academic experience in a community where you’ll be noticed, accepted and valued. Learn more at nwciowa.edu and make plans to visit campus soon.

0 Comments

If you’re looking for a standout Christian college committed to helping you thrive in faith, academics, relationships and your future career, consider making Northwestern College your “home away from home.” You’ll find that Raider Nation is a place where faculty and staff are passionate about getting to know you for YOU and helping you discover God’s calling for your life. Check out these 8 reasons why Northwestern is Iowa’s Standout Christian College:

1. You’ll get a top-rated education. We have the test scores to prove it.

Northwestern students consistently achieve top scores in accounting, pre-med, nursing, psychology and more. Here are some highlights:

• 100% nursing board pass rate (2023)
• MCAT scores in the top 10% worldwide (2020)
• Ranking in the top 4% on a psychology benchmark exam (2021)
• In 2023, 3 of the 5 candidates who passed the South Dakota CPA exam on their first try were NWC grads.

2. Your Raider resume will impress employers and grad schools.

For the last 5 years, 99% of Northwestern graduates have been employed or enrolled in graduate school within 6 months of graduation. 80% of pre-med students are accepted to med school the first time they apply, and 81% of NWC alumni who pursue advanced degrees say that Northwestern prepared them well for the academic rigor of grad school.

3. As a Raider, you’ll take part in world-class research.

More than 60 Northwestern students have peer-reviewed publications based on their research, thanks to collaborative research with Northwestern faculty. Professors have been awarded research grants by the National Science Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust and American Psychological Association. Here are just a few of the current research opportunities students are involved in:

• SEA-PHAGES, a global effort to discover phages (viruses that infect bacteria) and sequence and annotate their DNA
• SEA-GENES, in which students discover unknown functions of viral genes
• Data collection on the mental health of Ukrainian refugees living in the U.S.

4. Raiders win.

Northwestern is a top-5 NAIA college for student-athletes for a reason. Since 2019, our volleyball and football teams have made five appearances at NAIA nationals, including a football national championship in 2022 and a volleyball national runners-up distinction in 2023. Over the past year, we’ve also had five teams earn GPAC regular-season or tournament titles.

5. Generous financial aid.

Every student admitted to Northwestern is guaranteed $15,000 in scholarships and grants each year. That’s $60,000 over the course of 4 years. Raiders have an average out-of-pocket cost of $16,000 per year, so you may pay less to attend Northwestern than you would at a state university.

6. You’ll grow in your faith and serve God’s kingdom.

Christian formation will be a key component of your Northwestern experience. In fact, 95% of students living in residence halls say that attending Northwestern has helped them grow in their trust, love and worship of God. You’ll study the Bible with your dormmates, hear from leading voices in the church during chapel, and have opportunities to serve around the world through short-term missions.

7. Raider residence life is unlike the rest.

Raiders love living on campus. In a recent residence life survey, 95% of students said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their res life experience. Unlike many other colleges, we don’t have freshmen-only dorms at NWC. Instead, you’ll live among upperclassmen who have been in your shoes and can help support you in your transition to college life.

8. There’s so much to do, you won’t want to leave.

Northwestern isn’t a suitcase college—in other words, students don’t pack up and head home after classes end on Friday. When you’re not studying, you’ll stay busy attending student activities like The Masked Singer, a swing dance with a live jazz band, late-night ice skating, pancakes with NWC’s president, or movie nights at the local movie theatre. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to:

• Cheer on the Raiders at home athletic events
• Play intramurals that range from foosball and chess to pickleball and sand volleyball
• Attend NWC theatre productions and music concerts
• Check out professional and student art exhibits on campus
• Hang out with your dormmates at all-hall events
• …and more!

Ready to take the next step? Visit us at nwciowa.edu/BeARaider to get started.

0 Comments

Built-in bestie or certified slob? Life with a roommate can have its ups and downs, but as long as you’re honest with one another about your needs and expectations, sharing a living space is a great opportunity to get to know someone new and grow in your communication skills. Here are 6 keys to cohabitating with ease:

1. Manage your expectations.

Don’t move into your dorm assuming that your roommate is going to be your best friend. Not everyone wants to be close to their roommate, so be pleasantly surprised if your roommate relationship becomes a friendship. You may even consider asking your roommate about the type of relationship he or she hopes to have with you and others living on your floor.

2. Establish rules of the room.

At the start of the semester, tell your roommate what you need to thrive in your living environment. Are you an early bird who likes to go to bed before 10? Set a time for lights out. Do you usually study between class and dinner? Request quiet time during your daily homework session. Be sure to talk about when guests can hang out in your room and when it’s OK to talk on the phone, too.

3. Respect your roommate’s personal space.

Your dorm room belongs to more than just you, so be respectful of your roommate’s space and things. Ask before you borrow something and return it in a timely manner. If you break what you borrowed, pay to fix or replace it.

4. Be clean and considerate.

No one wants to find your dirty underwear on the floor or end up sitting in the crumbs you left on the futon. Plenty of roommate conflicts can be avoided by simply cleaning up after yourself.

5. Work out conflict together—and ask for help when you need it.

If you have an issue with your roommate, don’t trash-talk him or her when you’re with friends or other students living in your dorm. Instead, arrange a time to sit down with your roommate and resolve the problem as adults. Allow your roommate to share how he or she is feeling and listen well. If you can’t come up with a solution on your own, ask for help from a resident assistant or resident director.

6. Get to know your roommate.

Even if you don’t become best friends, it’s still a good idea to get to know your roommate and find out what interests them. Ask about their hometown, family, hobbies and extracurricular activities. If you see a funny Instagram reel that you think would make your roommate laugh, pass it along, or offer to bring him or her a favorite coffee drink if you’re headed to the coffee shop. A little kindness can go a long way in building a strong foundation for your roommate relationship.

At Northwestern College, helping you thrive in the dorms is a top priority of our residence life staff. In addition to trained student resident assistants who live just down the hall 24/7, each of our dorms has a professional resident director who can support you as you navigate living with a roommate, homesickness, developing healthy lifestyle habits and more. Learn about our standout residence life experience at nwciowa.edu/residence-life.

0 Comments

College-level courses can be challenging, even for the student who earned straight As in high school. Fortunately, many colleges and universities offer peer tutoring or academic support that can give you valuable tools for academic success. Here are a few good reasons why you should give tutoring a try:

1. Tutors help alleviate stress and anxiety.

It’s a tutor’s job to help you grow in your understanding and ability to demonstrate what you’re learning. Your tutor will walk you through concepts step by step, ensuring that you understand before moving on to something else. Your tutor can also give you tips on how to overcome test anxiety or help you strategize for meeting a project deadline. Because of the one-on-one attention tutors provide, many students leave a tutoring session feeling better and less stressed about an assignment or test.

2. Tutors model and teach successful study strategies.

Tutors are successful students themselves, so they can share what you’ll need to succeed in a particular class or as a student in general. Sometimes it’s as simple as explaining how much time you should study outside of class or reminding you to put your phone away until after your homework’s complete. Even if you already get good grades, your tutor’s study strategies may be more efficient and effective than your current methods.

3. Peer tutors have already taken the course and can give you insight on what the professor expects.

Colleges that offer peer tutoring usually recruit a course’s strongest performers to tutor future students. In some cases, the professor may even recommend students for the job. This is an excellent benefit for you, because it means your tutor already knows the professor and how the course is structured, so they can tell you exactly what to expect on tests and assignments.

4. Tutoring allows for individualized instruction and learning.

In college, you’ll likely find that classes cover a lot more content than they did in high school, and with some classes meeting only once or twice a week, you won’t have much time in the classroom to fully digest what you’re learning. Meeting with a tutor one-on-one gives you more time to ask questions and work through concepts until you understand them.

At Northwestern College, three out of four students use Northwestern’s Peer Learning Center regularly—including some with 4.0 GPAs. The center offers free tutoring services provided by 150 student tutors and a full-time professional science tutor, as well as academic counseling, learning disability accommodations, study sessions and training, and writing workshops. For more information on how Northwestern supports its students, visit nwciowa.edu.

0 Comments

Getting an affordable college education with minimal debt is a priority for many high school students and their families. Once you complete the FAFSA, you’ll start to receive financial aid offers from your top college choices. But how do you know if one college’s financial aid offer stands out from the rest? Here are three tips from a financial aid expert:

1. Take note of grant and scholarship amounts.

While loans from the federal government or a private bank need to be repaid, grants and scholarships are gifts to you! If you have good grades and/or strong test scores, you may receive an academic scholarship. Many private schools also award scholarships to students who participate in athletics, music, theatre or other extracurricular activities. Students with significant financial need may be awarded a Federal Pell Grant. Iowa residents who attend an eligible private school—like Northwestern College—may also receive an Iowa Tuition Grant. (Iowa has one of the most generous state grants in the nation!)

2. Net price is the best comparison tool.

Calculating a college’s net price—total costs minus grants and scholarships—is your best tool for comparison, because it’s the price you will actually pay. The total costs at one school might seem higher at first glance, but depending on the amount of grants and scholarships you receive, it may be more affordable than you think. It’s also true that just because one school offers a bigger scholarship, it doesn’t mean it will have a lower cost overall.

For example, College A’s total cost might be $30,000 compared to College B’s $40,000 price tag. But if College A offers just $10,000 in scholarships and grants and College B offers $25,000, College B will cost you less. Likewise, an impressive $35,000 scholarships-and-grants offer from College C becomes less impressive if College C’s total costs are $60,000. So be patient. Wait for your financial aid offers and then do the math to help determine which college is offering you the best value.

3. Look for loan options and work-study as part of your financial aid offer.

Some schools include work-study earnings and loan options like Parent PLUS and private bank loans in their financial aid offers, but others don’t include them. If College A includes these funds but College B doesn’t, it might give you the false perception that College A is more cost effective. Work-study earnings and loans are available at most schools, even if they’re not included in your offer letter. Keep in mind that, unlike grants and scholarships, Parent PLUS and private bank loans need to be repaid after graduation (or when you leave school).

A college’s financial aid office is your best resource if you have questions. Whatever school you attend, earning a college education will be one of the best investments of your life—both for your career and for your future.

Looking for an affordable Christian education? At Northwestern College, you’ll receive a guaranteed $12,500/year in grants and scholarships. Depending on your high school GPA and test scores, you may be eligible for even more! Visit our website to learn why we’re one of the “best colleges for the money.”

0 Comments

When you start college, you’ll have a choice about how to approach life. Do you want to just get by, or do you want to thrive? Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of the time and effort you put into earning your degree.

1. Study consistently throughout the day.

Experts recommend completing at least a third of your studying before 3 p.m., when you are most alert and distractions are at a minimum. And don’t hesitate to visit your college’s tutoring or academic support center. That’s something good students make a habit of doing. The Peer Learning Center at Northwestern College offers free tutoring and group study sessions with 180 student tutors—including one for nearly every class we offer.

2. Put your phone on airplane mode and out of sight while studying.

The sound of incoming texts, emails and social media notifications—not to mention phone calls—is too hard to resist. And once you pick up your device, you know how easy it is to get sucked into endless scrolling and to waste valuable study time.

3. Don’t overcommit.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to say “no.” That allows you to be fully committed to the things you’ve agreed to do that are most important to you.

4. Take advantage of the gift of rest.

You need time to relax and play. You also need sleep. Make getting enough a priority. Multiple studies show that getting sufficient sleep (7 to 9 hours per night) will increase your productivity and decrease your likelihood of experiencing poor mental and physical health. Make it a habit to wake up and go to bed at the same times each day.

5. Check in with yourself.

Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions, your actions and behaviors, and any tension you might be carrying in your neck and shoulders. If you can change an unhealthy thought to a healthy one—for example, “I had a horrible day” to “I had a tough 5 minutes”—your well-being and productivity will improve. And if your thoughts, emotions or behaviors are impacting your life in a negative way, consider getting counseling. Northwestern provides free access to licensed professional therapists who work in our Wellness Center.

6. Eat well and take time each day to move/exercise.

Some simple steps to becoming healthier include eliminating sugar-sweetened beverages, limiting ultra-processed foods and caffeine, starting your day with a balanced breakfast, and eating more plants and colorful foods. To boost your activity level, go for a walk with a friend or sign up for intramurals. Northwestern has a fitness center with free weights, weight machines and other exercise equipment, as well as treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and stair climbers. There are also racquetball courts, an indoor track, and four courts for a pickup basketball game or indoor tennis match.

7. Connect with God.

Spending time in God’s presence—listening to him, praying and reading your Bible—is the very foundation to living a life of thriving.

8. Connect with others.

Start by leaving your door open when you’re in your room. You’ll be surprised by how many connections and conversations that simple decision will initiate. (You can feel free to do that on Northwestern’s safe campus.) Get to know the people on your wing by asking questions and learning their stories. Stay on campus as many weekends as possible, and go to that wing or hall event, discipleship group meeting, game, concert, play or student activities event. Nearly 90% of Northwestern students live on campus, and unlike other colleges where freshmen-only dorms are the norm, many of our juniors and seniors choose to stay in the residence halls to live with and mentor underclassmen.

9. Extend your learning beyond the classroom.

Take advantage of opportunities to talk with your professors before, after and outside of class. Soak up their wisdom! And if your college has chapels and special guest speakers, attend them and have discussions with friends about what you heard and learned.

10. Look for ways you can be a blessing to another person.

Be the kind of friend you’d like to have yourself. Join another student sitting alone in the cafeteria. Lift someone’s spirit with a smile and a hello. Ask God to open your eyes to needs around you and be prepared to serve when they are revealed. In doing so, you’ll find yourself blessed as well.

0 Comments

The college visit serves 2 important purposes: getting to know campus and getting to know the people who call it home. Your college tour guide will likely be a current student who can help you do both! Walking around campus is a great opportunity to ask your guide questions about the college experience—and with this list, you’ll be prepared! Here are 5 must-ask questions for your next college visit:

Why did you choose to come to this college?

When you are faced with a decision, sometimes it’s helpful to get someone else’s perspective. It’s possible that a current student could identify with your situation—for example, maybe you’re both from small towns or a large high school or have similar academic or co-curricular interests. Even if your tour guide comes from different circumstances, hearing what impacted their college decision may offer insights that will help you make yours.

Do students and faculty ever interact outside of class?

At larger universities, one-on-one meetings with a professor are harder to come by, and you may be directed to meet with a tutor or the professor’s teaching assistant when you have questions. Even so, some college professors hold regular office hours when students can meet with them and ask questions about a course, navigating a career in their field, or life on campus. At Northwestern College, professors are very intentional about supporting students from their first day of classes to graduation and beyond! Not only do they have office hours, but many of them encourage students to meet them for coffee, and some extend invitations to join their family for a home-cooked meal.

What are the dorms like?

This question addresses a key part of the college experience: residence life! Do students tend to stick to their own rooms, or is there more of a community atmosphere? Will you live in a freshmen-only dorm your first year, or will you live alongside upperclassmen? Northwestern College residence life is known for its fun dorm traditions, which include weekly pancake parties and an annual battle with cardboard and duct-tape armor. Many students keep the doors to their rooms open because of the welcoming, trusting community that is found across campus. Plus, our dorms are home to freshmen through seniors, so you’ll get to live among upperclassmen who can offer advice about all things college—from good study habits to building relationships and more.

Do students usually stay on campus over the weekend or go home?

Here’s another good question about residence life. If you end up attending a college that’s far from home, you might appreciate knowing if there will be others that stick around on the weekends. This is also a good way to gauge what activities are available and may give you an idea of what students like to do for fun. Many Northwestern students choose to remain on campus because there’s so much going on! With opportunities to support the Raiders at athletic events; regular music concerts and play performances; and student activities like sand volleyball tournaments, dances and an American Idol-style competition, you’ll have plenty to do when you need a break from studying.

How do students get involved on campus?

If you enjoy participating in high school activities, ask about the college’s co-curricular options to find out if they align with your passions. What sports can students compete in? Are there intramurals available if you want to play just for fun? Are their theatre and music programs open to majors from any discipline? Northwestern offers many of these activities to its students, including opportunities to get involved with campus ministries, short-term mission trips, residence and campus life, and on-campus jobs.

For additional ideas of questions to ask on your visit, check out our other blog posts: A Guide to the College Search Process and What Parents Should Look for on a Campus Visit. And remember: There’s no such thing as a silly question! Chances are, the college’s admissions counselors have heard your question before and will be happy to help.

If you want to be part of a standout college community that’s committed to academic excellence and centered on Christ, explore life at Northwestern College at nwciowa.edu.

0 Comments

To help you navigate the college search process, we sought the advice of the best experts around: college freshmen who were in your shoes not so long ago! Here’s what they wish they had known in high school:

Visit a variety of colleges, even if you think you know where you want to go.

Deciding on a college is a bit like an all-you-can-eat buffet: There are plenty of options for you to explore, so sample as much as you can. If you’ve always planned to attend a large state university, try visiting a small private college to see which environment you like best. And if you happen to live in a college town, don’t bypass the college option in your own backyard! Schedule a visit so you can experience campus firsthand—it might be different than you thought.

Don’t worry about choosing a college major right away.

It’s OK to arrive on campus undecided about your college major. Most schools plan for the first semester to be a time of exploration when you can take classes in areas that interest you and see what feels like a good fit. At Northwestern College, our expert staff in the  Compass Center for Career & Calling walk alongside students as they discern their future career path and help them choose a major that will enable them to get there.

Go where you feel you could have the most positive growth.

College is the perfect time in life to step outside of your comfort zone, try new things and grow academically, personally and spiritually. While it may be tempting to choose the college where all your high school friends are going, it’s important to make the decision that’s best for you and your future goals. Plus, college will introduce you to new friends who will make campus feel like a “home away from home.”

Apply for scholarships and get involved with activities right away.

Whether you love to make music, perform on stage or play a sport, you may qualify for a scholarship. Check with your admissions counselor about available opportunities and for more information about any auditions or applications that might be required. If you get good grades, you’ll probably be eligible for an academic scholarship as well. At Northwestern, admitted students receive a minimum of  $12,500 in scholarships or grants, making college more affordable for students like you.

Take your time—and don’t forget to enjoy your senior year!

Choosing a college is a big decision, so it’s alright if you need time to make your choice. Talk to friends and family members about your goals for college and share about your experiences on college visits. They may be able to offer an outside perspective that can help you decide which college is right for you. And in the midst of such a big decision, don’t forget to enjoy the present moment and have fun while you’re still in high school! Savor the sweet memories you’re making with your friends and teammates, and be sure to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished so far in your education.

Looking for a college that’s intentionally Christian? Check out Northwestern College at  nwciowa.edu or reach out to one of our admissions counselors at nwciowa.edu/admissions/staff. We’re passionate about helping students succeed in college and beyond—and we’d love to support you in your search for a college home.

0 Comments

“Your college years will be the most formative years of your life.” Maybe you’ve heard this from a parent or family member, but is it true? For many students, college is not only where they get a degree—it’s where they form friendships, experience academic and personal growth, and make connections that could lead to a job after graduation.

So your family is probably right when they say college will be an important part of your life. And if you’re a follower of Jesus, the friends and mentors you’ll find at a Christian college or university could be among the people who disciple you along your journey.

If you want to spend your college years learning and growing in faith, find out more about a college’s opportunities for spiritual enrichment and development. It’s also likely that you’ll get a sense of a college’s Christian commitment when you make a visit to campus.

Here are a few reasons why you might benefit from attending a college that’s intentionally Christian:

You’ll have easy access to spiritual resources.

Although you can be a Christian at whichever college you choose, attending a Christian college gives you the option to practice your faith through on-campus chapel services, small-group ministries and service opportunities. At Northwestern College, students worship together up to three times per week, and many choose to participate in weekly D-groups (discipleship groups) in the dorms.

Many of your classmates and professors will share your faith and values.

College is a life season marked by big changes—including moving away from home. It can be inspiring to live and learn in a place where others share your core beliefs. At a Christian college, you’ll meet students who want to grow in their faith (just like you!), and your Christian professors, coaches and other staff mentors will be able to support you throughout your college experience. You’ll find that to be true at Northwestern. We strive to be a Christian academic community that cares about your personal and spiritual growth in the classroom, in the dorms, on the court or stage, and beyond.

You’ll find plenty of opportunities to serve others.

If you enjoy high school mission trips, attending a Christian college might be a way to have similar short-term mission experiences. Most Christian colleges or universities have connections to local churches, mission organizations or nonprofits—many of which LOVE student volunteers! Northwestern’s Justice + Service team participates in service projects, packages food for families impacted by natural disasters, and raises funds for organizations that combat injustices like human trafficking. Northwestern also sends teams on 10-day Spring Service Partnerships and 6- to 8-week Summer of Service experiences, opportunities that take our students around the world to partner with missionaries and serve God’s people.

You’ll develop a biblical worldview.

For colleges that are intentionally Christian, faith is central to the student experience. You’ll likely hear the truth of the gospel message in chapel or an introductory religion course, but you’ll also encounter people who strive to be more like Jesus in their daily lives. Your professors will bring a Christian perspective to the subject matter, and your coach or director will inspire you to perform for God’s glory. Attending a Christian college can support you in making faith a priority in your life and can help you to see the world through the eyes of Christ.

College is an exciting time to discover more about who you are and what God is calling you to do. We think Northwestern College is the perfect place to do that! Here you’ll spend four years getting to know more about who God is and how you can participate in God’s redeeming work in the world in whatever profession you pursue.

0 Comments

When you decide to attend college, you’ll be making an investment of time and money. Here are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are making a wise investment and preparing to get the most out of your college experience.

1. Envision your preferred future. Interest inventories found online or offered by many high schools and colleges are a great way to help you shape the vision for your future. Think about the type of lifestyle you want to have and the style of work that you enjoy. Remember that college is preparation for life, not just a profession.

   Through the Pathway U online tool, current and prospective students of Northwestern College gain insight into their interests, personality, workplace preferences and values. They are also connected to career matches and career research options.]

2. Read and challenge yourself academically. Strive to take advanced classes and train yourself to work hard academically while still in high school. Read about subject areas that interest you. Seek out both educational and experiential information that will deepen your knowledge of the subjects.
3. Do your research. Compare the differences in academics and student life between schools. Find out if professors or graduate students are teaching the introductory classes. Ask current students or alumni about the campus culture.

   At Northwestern College, our general education courses are taught by some of our best faculty, and there are no classes taught by graduate assistants. We believe in providing a standout academic experience in every classroom at every level of study. Additionally, we have professionally trained residence life staff committed to keeping our students safe and promoting positive living environments on campus.

4. Learn time management and good study skills. College offers a lot of freedom combined with significant responsibilities. Make it a priority to master time management and good study skills while you are still in high school. Your hard work in these areas will set you up for success.
5. Work with your school counselor and online resources. Your counselor can help you explore college options, narrow down your search and learn about the application process. Additionally, online resources can be helpful.
6. Explore ways to pay for college and make it affordable.Find out if the colleges you’re considering offer scholarships or financial awards for academic, athletic, music, theatre or other achievements. Ask about student employment opportunities on and off campus. Seek out scholarships offered in your community and online and become familiar with student loan options.

   Northwestern strives to make college affordable so students can be empowered to find their calling and pursue God’s redeeming work in the world. All new students are guaranteed at least $12,500 in scholarships and grants—and that amount will grow, depending on your GPA, athletic or performing arts participation, as well as your potential to contribute to NWC’s mission through leadership and involvement. Find more tips on how to make college affordable in this blog post.

7. Keep your grades up and continue being active in your community. Colleges are looking for good students who are also good citizens. Taking challenging classes and making time to serve in your church or community show your quality of character and demonstrate responsibility.
8. Take the PSAT, ACT and/or SAT. Although many colleges are test-optional, taking one or more of these exams can be very beneficial. Testing provides the opportunity to study and solidify concepts you’ll need in college and, in some cases, good test scores can result in more financial awards from the college.

   Although Northwestern College is test-optional, we encourage students to take the ACT, SAT or CLT and submit test scores as they may increase eligibility for additional academic scholarships. Learn more at nwciowa.edu/scholarships.

9. Look for a school that invests in supporting first-year students. Going from high school to college is one of the biggest transitions in life. Help yourself navigate this important life step by finding a college that is intentional about investing in first-year students through programming and other support services.

   To help new students transition to college life, Northwestern offers a First-Year Seminar course that teaches self-learning strategies and introduces students to interdisciplinary thinking, college-level writing and public speaking, and our Christian academic community. Additionally, our weekly Thrive Workshops provide opportunities for first-year students to connect with others and learn life skills in a supportive environment.

10. Do your own investigation. You know your interests, your personality and your concerns best. Take time to ask friends, teachers and other college students about what to expect in college. Get their advice on things to consider or resources they found helpful when going off to school.

We’d love to help you take your next step in preparing for college at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Schedule a visit and learn how you can be prepared not only for college, but to lead a life of significance. Learn more about Northwestern College at nwciowa.edu.

0 Comments