"We will sing for joy over your victory,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. "
Psalm 20:5
JULY ALREADY?!
Wow. Time sure flies, doesn't it? Before you know it, fall orientation will be here, and you'll be moving into your new dorm! The entire campus community is thrilled to have you join us ... when Move-In Day arrives, you'll be blown away by the energy on campus, all surrounding YOU! The incoming class is the lifeblood of the student body!
For those of you who have only recently been admitted, please click here for your next steps!
If you still need to register for fall classes, please click here!
ORIENTATION
Check out http://nwc.edu/orientation for details on New Student Orientation, Parent Orientation, Multicultural Student Orientation, and Athletics Orientation!
TRANSITION TO COLLEGE
Click here for my best tips for students and families regarding the transition from home/high school to dorm/college!
FACEBOOK
There is a student-created Facebook group called "Northwestern College MN Class of 2015" so feel to join that if you'd like to connect with your future classmates!
LAPTOP REQUIREMENTS
Listed in a post below!
Your sister in Christ,
Jackie
Friday, July 1, 2011
Transition to College
Let’s talk transition …
You just graduated from high school after dominating the school scene for 9 months. Maybe you’re from a tiny school out in the country and have been with the same classmates since kindergarten. Maybe you’ve finally learned all the best teachers to take and how to earn your A’s. Maybe you’ve never been away from home except for the week-long mission trips you take with your youth group in the summertime.
Whatever your situation, you are about to uproot yourself from your familiar surroundings, pack up your suitcase and move to Roseville, Minnesota, where you will have new teachers, a new courseload, new friends, new surroundings, and a new routine.
Aren’t you glad you’re going to a Christian college?
Here’s what I wish someone would have told me:
It’s okay to be nervous.
You are definitely not the only one! It is a BIG DEAL to change so many things about your life all in one swift move. The day before move-in and the day after move-in are two separate lifestyles! Recognize that it is a big change and that you’re NORMAL for feeling apprehensive!
Connect with your RA.
Your Resident Assistant is so excited to meet you – these are typically upperclassmen who have sought out this leadership position and stand ready to help you, give you advice, listen to your problems. They WANT to know you, and they are people worth knowing. Use them as a resource – they will probably become your friends and mentors.
Your roommates might not become your best friends.
Although the housing office works hard to place compatible people in rooms with one another, it doesn’t always work out that you end up best friends with your freshman year roommates. It’s ok if you and your roomies have separate groups of friends!
Take advantage of the information fairs.
There will be a church fair, a club fair, employment fair, etc., where tables will be set up for you to gather information and ask questions. Peruse the information and gather what you need.
Don’t go home right away.
The tendency might be to hurry home back to normalcy, but try to resist the urge – at least for the first couple of weeks. Stick around on the weekends and meet lots of new people; take advantage of the planned activities so that you can connect with new friends through school events.
Give it TIME.
I wanted to have my new set of friends all figured out by the 2nd week I was here. It didn’t happen, and I was disappointed. However, by homecoming, I had made friends with two terrific girls named Tracy and Megan – girls I lived with the following year and whom I am friends with to this day!
Pray.
You are in the hands of your loving Savior. Keep petitioning Him that your transition will go according to His good will.
You just graduated from high school after dominating the school scene for 9 months. Maybe you’re from a tiny school out in the country and have been with the same classmates since kindergarten. Maybe you’ve finally learned all the best teachers to take and how to earn your A’s. Maybe you’ve never been away from home except for the week-long mission trips you take with your youth group in the summertime.
Whatever your situation, you are about to uproot yourself from your familiar surroundings, pack up your suitcase and move to Roseville, Minnesota, where you will have new teachers, a new courseload, new friends, new surroundings, and a new routine.
Aren’t you glad you’re going to a Christian college?
Here’s what I wish someone would have told me:
It’s okay to be nervous.
You are definitely not the only one! It is a BIG DEAL to change so many things about your life all in one swift move. The day before move-in and the day after move-in are two separate lifestyles! Recognize that it is a big change and that you’re NORMAL for feeling apprehensive!
Connect with your RA.
Your Resident Assistant is so excited to meet you – these are typically upperclassmen who have sought out this leadership position and stand ready to help you, give you advice, listen to your problems. They WANT to know you, and they are people worth knowing. Use them as a resource – they will probably become your friends and mentors.
Your roommates might not become your best friends.
Although the housing office works hard to place compatible people in rooms with one another, it doesn’t always work out that you end up best friends with your freshman year roommates. It’s ok if you and your roomies have separate groups of friends!
Take advantage of the information fairs.
There will be a church fair, a club fair, employment fair, etc., where tables will be set up for you to gather information and ask questions. Peruse the information and gather what you need.
Don’t go home right away.
The tendency might be to hurry home back to normalcy, but try to resist the urge – at least for the first couple of weeks. Stick around on the weekends and meet lots of new people; take advantage of the planned activities so that you can connect with new friends through school events.
Give it TIME.
I wanted to have my new set of friends all figured out by the 2nd week I was here. It didn’t happen, and I was disappointed. However, by homecoming, I had made friends with two terrific girls named Tracy and Megan – girls I lived with the following year and whom I am friends with to this day!
Pray.
You are in the hands of your loving Savior. Keep petitioning Him that your transition will go according to His good will.
Next Steps for New Admits
1. Pay $200 enrollment deposit as soon as possible after being officially admitted. (See full post below.)
2. Apply for financial aid. (See full post below.) I recommend you apply as early as you're able; our financial aid office has already awarded many, many students. Our priority deadline of May 1st has passed, but we are still giving out financial aid, so be sure to apply right away!
3. Be on the lookout for instructions we will mail you about how to sign up for a Summer Preparation Day, when you will register for fall classes!
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING ADMITTED!!! :-) I'm so excited for you.
2. Apply for financial aid. (See full post below.) I recommend you apply as early as you're able; our financial aid office has already awarded many, many students. Our priority deadline of May 1st has passed, but we are still giving out financial aid, so be sure to apply right away!
3. Be on the lookout for instructions we will mail you about how to sign up for a Summer Preparation Day, when you will register for fall classes!
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING ADMITTED!!! :-) I'm so excited for you.
Summer Preparation Days
Northwestern offers six Summer Preparation Days throughout the summer-- days when our admitted students are invited to campus to meet with an academic advisor and to sign up for fall classes.
The remaining Summer Preparation Days are June 18, July 7, July 20, and August 10.
How do you sign up for one?
1. Go to theROCK. Sign in with your username/password.
2. Click on the "Academics" tab.
3. In the upper righthand corner, you'll see the "Electronic Signatures" box. Under "Traditional Undergraduate Students," click "New Incoming."
4. Fill out the seven forms that are available there, including the appointment request form, on which you will request which specific day works best for you to come register for classes. There is also an option to choose a phone appointment.
Thanks for taking care of this as soon as you can. I recommend that you attend the earliest Prep Day that works for your schedule, as classes will fill up throughout the summer!
Let me know if you have any questions!
The remaining Summer Preparation Days are June 18, July 7, July 20, and August 10.
How do you sign up for one?
1. Go to theROCK. Sign in with your username/password.
2. Click on the "Academics" tab.
3. In the upper righthand corner, you'll see the "Electronic Signatures" box. Under "Traditional Undergraduate Students," click "New Incoming."
4. Fill out the seven forms that are available there, including the appointment request form, on which you will request which specific day works best for you to come register for classes. There is also an option to choose a phone appointment.
Thanks for taking care of this as soon as you can. I recommend that you attend the earliest Prep Day that works for your schedule, as classes will fill up throughout the summer!
Let me know if you have any questions!
What Should I Bring to Northwestern?
Northwestern College is pleased to provide excellent resident facilities. All the necessary room furniture (desks, tables, chairs, dressers and beds) is provided. Each room or apartment has its own bathroom and kitchen/kitchenette.
We have the following suggestions of important items for you to bring:
• Bedding
The beds have extra-long mattresses which are 39" x 80." Extra-long fitted bed sheets are definitely preferable. Regular flat sheets will work, but regular twin-size fitted sheets will not fit the beds. You may also want to bring a mattress pad.
• Additional Lighting
Although each room is equipped with overhead lighting, it may be helpful to bring additional lighting such as a floor lamp and/or desk lamp as needed. Due to potential fire hazard, halogen lamps are not permitted unless they are equipped with a wire guard.
• Cell Phone or Calling Card
Telephones are permanently installed in residence rooms. In order to make long-distance calls from the room phone, you will need to use your own calling card.
• Kitchen Supplies
Dishes, silverware, pots/pans, cooking utensils and appliances such as toasters and microwaves are not provided.
• Cleaning supplies for kitchen, vanity and bathroom
Cleansers, glass cleaner, scrubbing pads, etc are not provided. Please bring only non-abrasive cleaners.
• Clothes hangers, wastebasket, and plastic garbage bags
We advise you to contact your roommates to determine who will bring larger items such as ironing boards, small appliances, microwaves, etc. to avoid duplication as space is somewhat limited. You do not need to bring a vacuum, as your resident assistant will have one available for you. You can always bring more items to school later as you become aware of needs related to residence life.
We have the following suggestions of important items for you to bring:
• Bedding
The beds have extra-long mattresses which are 39" x 80." Extra-long fitted bed sheets are definitely preferable. Regular flat sheets will work, but regular twin-size fitted sheets will not fit the beds. You may also want to bring a mattress pad.
• Additional Lighting
Although each room is equipped with overhead lighting, it may be helpful to bring additional lighting such as a floor lamp and/or desk lamp as needed. Due to potential fire hazard, halogen lamps are not permitted unless they are equipped with a wire guard.
• Cell Phone or Calling Card
Telephones are permanently installed in residence rooms. In order to make long-distance calls from the room phone, you will need to use your own calling card.
• Kitchen Supplies
Dishes, silverware, pots/pans, cooking utensils and appliances such as toasters and microwaves are not provided.
• Cleaning supplies for kitchen, vanity and bathroom
Cleansers, glass cleaner, scrubbing pads, etc are not provided. Please bring only non-abrasive cleaners.
• Clothes hangers, wastebasket, and plastic garbage bags
We advise you to contact your roommates to determine who will bring larger items such as ironing boards, small appliances, microwaves, etc. to avoid duplication as space is somewhat limited. You do not need to bring a vacuum, as your resident assistant will have one available for you. You can always bring more items to school later as you become aware of needs related to residence life.
2011-12 Computer Standards
Northwestern Student Computer Standards – 2010/2011
Windows Minimum Computer Requirements
Northwestern College’s minimum computer requirements are intended to ensure that the equipment you use meets the minimum requirements to support you in your academic program. We have listed recommended features that provide a better experience; minimum requirements follow in parentheses.
Most new computers sold today meet these recommendations. Netbooks may not meet all requirements.
Windows Hardware Requirements
• Type: Laptop (All students are required to have laptops)
• CPU: Intel Dual Core 2.0GHz processor or AMD equivalent (minimum Intel 1.6GHz or AMD equivalent)
• Memory: 1GB for Windows XP (minimum 512MB) or 2GB for Windows Vista or Windows 7 (minimum 1GB)
• Network: 10/100 or Gigabit Ethernet connection
• Hard Disk: 120GB (minimum 60GB)
• Optical Devices: DVD/CD-RW combo drive
• Portable Storage: A USB flash drive is helpful
• Wireless: Integrated, USB, or PCMCIA 802.11g compatible wireless card
• Warranty: Some form of extended warranty program with on-site, next business day repair is recommended
• Networking cable: 14-foot or longer Cat-6 Ethernet network cable (network cables are sold in the Campus Store)
Windows Software Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Antivirus: A current antivirus client with active subscription is required in order to connect to Northwestern College’s Internet. Northwestern College will provide you with the Symantec Antivirus Client for free if you do not have one. If you are interested in obtaining a free anti-virus program before arriving at Northwestern College, consider AVG Free at http://free.avg.com/
Office Suite: Microsoft Office 2007 is required. Professors expect your work to be submitted using Microsoft Office formats. Microsoft Office 2007 ($100+tax) is available in the Campus Store at exclusive academic pricing.
Tip: You may visit www.dell.com/nwc to receive educational discounts.
Apple Minimum Computer Requirements
Northwestern College recommends the Windows operating system. Northwestern College applications and websites are designed to work with Windows computers running Internet Explorer. Northwestern College seeks to include support for Mac operating systems and browsers whenever possible. Students may choose the Apple operating system for personal or programmatic reasons.
Northwestern College’s minimum computer requirements are intended to ensure that the equipment you use meets the minimum requirements to support you in your academic program. We have listed recommended features that provide a better experience; minimum requirements follow in parentheses.
Apple Hardware Requirements
A notebook-style computer is required for all students who require an Apple computer.
• Any Apple Macbook or Macbook Pro laptop will meet the minimum requirements.
• Networking cable: 14-foot or longer Cat-6 Ethernet network cable.
• Portable Storage: USB Drive (recommended: 1GB)
• An Apple Care Protection Plan is strongly recommended for all Apple computers.
If you are using an older Apple laptop it must meet the following minimum requirements:
• CPU: 1.5 GHz or faster Intel Processor (minimum: G4 1GHz Power PC processor)
• Memory: Recommended: 1 GB or more (minimum 512 MBs)
• Hard Disk: Recommended: 100 GB or more (minimum 40 GBs)
• Optical Devices: DVD-RW/CD-RW combo drive (minimum CD/R-W drive)
• Network: 10/100 Ethernet connection
• Wireless: Apple Airport card or equivalent
Apple Software Requirements
• Operating System: OS X 10.5 “Leopard” or OS X 10.6 “Snow Leopard” (minimum Apple OS X 10.3.9 or higher)
• Antivirus: An antivirus program is recommended, but not required.
• Office Suite: Microsoft Office Mac 2008 (minimum Microsoft Office Student and Teachers Edition 2004)
Mac OS X must be patched to the latest version in order to connect to the internet at Northwestern College.
Tip: You may visit store.apple.com and click “Education Store” to receive education discounts.
Windows Minimum Computer Requirements
Northwestern College’s minimum computer requirements are intended to ensure that the equipment you use meets the minimum requirements to support you in your academic program. We have listed recommended features that provide a better experience; minimum requirements follow in parentheses.
Most new computers sold today meet these recommendations. Netbooks may not meet all requirements.
Windows Hardware Requirements
• Type: Laptop (All students are required to have laptops)
• CPU: Intel Dual Core 2.0GHz processor or AMD equivalent (minimum Intel 1.6GHz or AMD equivalent)
• Memory: 1GB for Windows XP (minimum 512MB) or 2GB for Windows Vista or Windows 7 (minimum 1GB)
• Network: 10/100 or Gigabit Ethernet connection
• Hard Disk: 120GB (minimum 60GB)
• Optical Devices: DVD/CD-RW combo drive
• Portable Storage: A USB flash drive is helpful
• Wireless: Integrated, USB, or PCMCIA 802.11g compatible wireless card
• Warranty: Some form of extended warranty program with on-site, next business day repair is recommended
• Networking cable: 14-foot or longer Cat-6 Ethernet network cable (network cables are sold in the Campus Store)
Windows Software Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Antivirus: A current antivirus client with active subscription is required in order to connect to Northwestern College’s Internet. Northwestern College will provide you with the Symantec Antivirus Client for free if you do not have one. If you are interested in obtaining a free anti-virus program before arriving at Northwestern College, consider AVG Free at http://free.avg.com/
Office Suite: Microsoft Office 2007 is required. Professors expect your work to be submitted using Microsoft Office formats. Microsoft Office 2007 ($100+tax) is available in the Campus Store at exclusive academic pricing.
Tip: You may visit www.dell.com/nwc to receive educational discounts.
Apple Minimum Computer Requirements
Northwestern College recommends the Windows operating system. Northwestern College applications and websites are designed to work with Windows computers running Internet Explorer. Northwestern College seeks to include support for Mac operating systems and browsers whenever possible. Students may choose the Apple operating system for personal or programmatic reasons.
Northwestern College’s minimum computer requirements are intended to ensure that the equipment you use meets the minimum requirements to support you in your academic program. We have listed recommended features that provide a better experience; minimum requirements follow in parentheses.
Apple Hardware Requirements
A notebook-style computer is required for all students who require an Apple computer.
• Any Apple Macbook or Macbook Pro laptop will meet the minimum requirements.
• Networking cable: 14-foot or longer Cat-6 Ethernet network cable.
• Portable Storage: USB Drive (recommended: 1GB)
• An Apple Care Protection Plan is strongly recommended for all Apple computers.
If you are using an older Apple laptop it must meet the following minimum requirements:
• CPU: 1.5 GHz or faster Intel Processor (minimum: G4 1GHz Power PC processor)
• Memory: Recommended: 1 GB or more (minimum 512 MBs)
• Hard Disk: Recommended: 100 GB or more (minimum 40 GBs)
• Optical Devices: DVD-RW/CD-RW combo drive (minimum CD/R-W drive)
• Network: 10/100 Ethernet connection
• Wireless: Apple Airport card or equivalent
Apple Software Requirements
• Operating System: OS X 10.5 “Leopard” or OS X 10.6 “Snow Leopard” (minimum Apple OS X 10.3.9 or higher)
• Antivirus: An antivirus program is recommended, but not required.
• Office Suite: Microsoft Office Mac 2008 (minimum Microsoft Office Student and Teachers Edition 2004)
Mac OS X must be patched to the latest version in order to connect to the internet at Northwestern College.
Tip: You may visit store.apple.com and click “Education Store” to receive education discounts.
Scholarship Opportunities
The scholarship search takes time, but it has the potential to be the best-paying job you’ll ever have. You may earn $1000 in 100 hours at a part-time job, but a scholarship may earn you $1000 in 5 hours.
1. Start locally. It is easier to compete against your hometown for a scholarship than to compete at a national level! Your scholarship search should start with your guidance office or career center at your school (homeschoolers, you still can and should take advantage of the resources at the local public school!).
2. Expand your search to the internet. At Northwestern, we recommend that families DO NOT pay for any scholarship search sites as there are plenty of great FREE sites! We suggest:
• fastweb.com
• scholarships.com
• schoolsoup.com
• go.salliemae.com/scholarship
3. Zinch.com is a unique search engine that will double the scholarships you win if you apply through them. This is legitimate!!
4. Many scholarships WILL NOT be on the search engines, so make a list of
• EVERYTHING you’re involved in
• EVERYTHING you like
• EVERYTHING you’re good at
• EVERYTHING that relates to you (as in, your hometown, religion, political party)
• EVERYTHING that you want to do
• EVERYTHING that you’ve won
• EVERYTHING your parents AND grandparents have been involved in (ex., American Legion, Navy)
Then, find all the synonyms you can think of for those things (ex., instead of just “horse,” one of our students used the following: equine, equestrian, horse training, stable, ranch, farm, animal, vet, veterinary, vet tech, horseback, horsemanship, agribusiness, agriculture, livestock, pony, ponies, horses, dressage, jumping, natural horsemanship, Tennessee walking Horses, etc).
Now Google every one of those words with the term scholarship, grant, fellowship, and award. This will take a long time, but these are the scholarships you’re highly qualified to receive and that few people will apply for.
5. Scholarship providers want to fund people who are going to do great things; therefore, you need to know 1) what you are passionate about doing and 2) why it is going to change the world. Spend time in prayer over this. As Christians, we know that what God has called us to is life-changing—whether that is in the field of medicine, education, business, or the arts.
6. Choose wisely which scholarships to apply for—if you are very specifically qualified for it, apply for the scholarship! If you are sort of qualified, consider it. If you are qualified and so are 15,000 other students, skip it.
7. Keep a master database of all your awards, activities, honors, club positions, leadership activities, club involvements, community service/volunteer hours.
8. Expenses for scholarship applications (postage/envelopes/etc) are tax-deductable, so keep track of them!
Be sure to create a profile for yourself on the following scholarship search sites. They are FREE and might lead you to some good money for college!
Fastweb
Sallie Mae
CollegeBoard
Scholarships.com
Outside scholarships:
AES Engineering Scholarship
Incight Scholarship for students with disabilities Best Buy Scholarship
Twin Cities metro track/CC runners
B. Davis Scholarship
Big Sun Scholarship for Athletes
Abbott & Fenner Scholarship Program
Three Sentence Essay Scholarship AXA Achievement Scholarship Jaycee Scholarship Discus Award (note: this is just the title of the award; it is not actually an award for discus throwers!)
Courage to Grow Scholarship
Philanthro Scholarship
1. Start locally. It is easier to compete against your hometown for a scholarship than to compete at a national level! Your scholarship search should start with your guidance office or career center at your school (homeschoolers, you still can and should take advantage of the resources at the local public school!).
2. Expand your search to the internet. At Northwestern, we recommend that families DO NOT pay for any scholarship search sites as there are plenty of great FREE sites! We suggest:
• fastweb.com
• scholarships.com
• schoolsoup.com
• go.salliemae.com/scholarship
3. Zinch.com is a unique search engine that will double the scholarships you win if you apply through them. This is legitimate!!
4. Many scholarships WILL NOT be on the search engines, so make a list of
• EVERYTHING you’re involved in
• EVERYTHING you like
• EVERYTHING you’re good at
• EVERYTHING that relates to you (as in, your hometown, religion, political party)
• EVERYTHING that you want to do
• EVERYTHING that you’ve won
• EVERYTHING your parents AND grandparents have been involved in (ex., American Legion, Navy)
Then, find all the synonyms you can think of for those things (ex., instead of just “horse,” one of our students used the following: equine, equestrian, horse training, stable, ranch, farm, animal, vet, veterinary, vet tech, horseback, horsemanship, agribusiness, agriculture, livestock, pony, ponies, horses, dressage, jumping, natural horsemanship, Tennessee walking Horses, etc).
Now Google every one of those words with the term scholarship, grant, fellowship, and award. This will take a long time, but these are the scholarships you’re highly qualified to receive and that few people will apply for.
5. Scholarship providers want to fund people who are going to do great things; therefore, you need to know 1) what you are passionate about doing and 2) why it is going to change the world. Spend time in prayer over this. As Christians, we know that what God has called us to is life-changing—whether that is in the field of medicine, education, business, or the arts.
6. Choose wisely which scholarships to apply for—if you are very specifically qualified for it, apply for the scholarship! If you are sort of qualified, consider it. If you are qualified and so are 15,000 other students, skip it.
7. Keep a master database of all your awards, activities, honors, club positions, leadership activities, club involvements, community service/volunteer hours.
8. Expenses for scholarship applications (postage/envelopes/etc) are tax-deductable, so keep track of them!
Be sure to create a profile for yourself on the following scholarship search sites. They are FREE and might lead you to some good money for college!
Fastweb
Sallie Mae
CollegeBoard
Scholarships.com
Outside scholarships:
AES Engineering Scholarship
Incight Scholarship for students with disabilities Best Buy Scholarship
Twin Cities metro track/CC runners
B. Davis Scholarship
Big Sun Scholarship for Athletes
Abbott & Fenner Scholarship Program
Three Sentence Essay Scholarship AXA Achievement Scholarship Jaycee Scholarship Discus Award (note: this is just the title of the award; it is not actually an award for discus throwers!)
Courage to Grow Scholarship
Philanthro Scholarship
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