Pre-Admission Requirements

Admission to Northwest University is granted to applicants meeting the University admissions requirements without regard to sex, race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, or physical disability. However, admissions are made on a selective basis according to criteria described below.

The following is required to be considered for admission to Northwest University’s traditional undergraduate programs, with the method of communicating the requirement to the Admissions Office in parentheses. (Admissions to the LEAP Degree Completion Program and Graduate Programs are detailed in their respective catalogs.)

Application Form (Application Packet)
Application Fee ($30)
Biographical Essay (Application Form)
Character References: Pastoral and Christian Friend References (Application Packet)
Entrance Test (ACT or SAT)
High School Graduation or Equivalent (High School transcript or GED)
College Transcripts (previous college work)
International Student Admission Requirements (see section below)

Salvation Experience

“The mission of Northwest is to provide, in a distinctly evangelical Christian environment, quality education to prepare students for service and leadership.” As a Christian Liberal Arts University, all experiences are directed to students discovering and preparing for God’s plan for their lives. Therefore, a vital experience of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is required to be admitted.

Application Form and Fee

The Application Form contains background information required to successfully insure that students have an ability to benefit from the University’s programs. Therefore, students must complete the Application Form. Forms may be secured by addressing the Admissions Office. Application deadlines are August 1 for fall and December 15 for spring. Students whose files are not completed by those dates will normally not be admitted for that semester. No assurance of acceptance should be assumed until the applicant receives a letter of approval from the Admissions Office. The non-refundable application fee of $30.00 must accompany the application before it will be considered. The applicant will send or deliver reference forms provided by the University to the appropriate persons. In the event that an applicant falsifies or withholds information on the admissions application, the University reserves the right to revoke, suspend, or modify an admissions approval.

Character References

All applicants must give evidence of sound moral character. Evidence of that character includes a vital experience of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Applicants are admitted only upon satisfactory recommendations from sources specified on the University Admissions Application form.

High School Graduate

Applicants must be graduates of a recognized high school. The following years of preparatory work are recommended:

English - 4
Math - 3
Social Studies - 2
Science - 2
Foreign Language - 2
Electives - 3

Applicants may be admitted on the basis of satisfactory scores on the General Educational Development Tests as established by State Competency Standards.

Home schoolers are strongly encouraged to present transcripts and a diploma from a recognized home school organization, or complete the GED tests. Students who are home schooled, but show the ability to benefit from college course work by scoring in the top 25 percentile on the SAT or ACT (for college-bound students), may also be admitted.

A limited number of mature persons who are not graduates of a high school may be admitted on a selective basis as special students. However, special students are not allowed to earn degrees, diplomas, or certificates at the University.

Entrance Tests

For purposes of admissions evaluation, guidance, scholarship eligibility, and counseling, applicants must take the ACT (American College Tests, College Code: 4466) or the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Tests, College Code: 4541).

Normally these tests are available at high schools on a set schedule. Arrangements should be made to take them as early as possible. Transfer students coming in with a minimum of 30 transferable quarter credits (20 transferable semester credits) from an accredited college or university are exempt from submitting test scores. (This does not include credit from Technical Institutions.)

Transcripts

It is the responsibility of the applicant to see that an official high school transcript and official transcripts for any college work completed are sent to the Admissions Office. This may be done by filing a letter of request with the schools concerned.

After the application, application fee, reference forms, SAT or ACT scores, and transcripts have been received, the Admissions Committee will evaluate the application. Applicants will be notified by mail whether or not they are accepted.

International Students

International students must have an adequate source of funds to cover all expenses relating to tuition, room and board, fees, living expenses, health insurance, and travel from and to the home country.
International students may be required to have a sponsor who is a citizen of the United States who will guarantee that all financial requirements can be met by the applicant.
International students whose native language is not English must submit a TOEFL score from an exame taken no more than six months prior to application to the University. The minimum scores for admissions are: 500 - paper based test; 173 - computer based test; or 61 - internet based test.
International students may work not more than 20 hours per week, and only on campus.
The application deadline for the fall semester is April 1; the application deadline for the spring semester is September 1.

International students’ application process:

1. Submit the Application for Admission, including:

$30.00 (US Funds) Application Fee
High School transcript in English
University/College transcript(s) in English
TOEFL score of 500 or more
Pastoral Reference
Christian Friend reference
An affidavit of financial support and supporting documentation - Northwest University is required by the United States government to obtain evidence that each applicant has adequate funds to pay for educational and living expenses for the period of study and may require a sponsor if the student does not have sufficient personal or family funds to meet the cost of education and living in the United States.
If the student is being sponsored bya US citizen, the sponsor must fill out an affidavit of support, have the form notarized, and provide supporting documentation as required.

2. If approved for admission:

Make a deposit with the University equal to the full cost of attendance for the first semester.
In addition, the university may require a deposit sufficient to cover travel costs for returning to the student's home country. This deposit will be held until the program of study is complate and may not be used by the student for tuition or other expenses.
Complete the Confirmation Form and Housing Form.

3. Northwest University will then send an I-20 Form for the procurement of a student visa.