Four Tips To Help You Make Your College Decision
May 1—National College Decision Day—is right around the corner! If you are a college-bound high school senior who is in the thick of choosing which college you’ll attend this fall, we understand that you might be feeling a bit nervous. After all, this is a big decision.
As you carefully consider your options, here are four tips to help you feel confident in your choice:
1. Consider the community.
Hopefully by now, you’ve had a chance to visit the different campuses you’re interested in. Ask yourself which one felt the most like a place you could call home. Whether you plan to live on campus or commute to school every day, it’s important to choose a community that matches your goals, interests, and values. Most of our students choose NU because they are looking for an academic environment that has the programs they’re interested in and a community that nourishes their faith and personal development. If you haven’t had a chance to visit our campus yet, you can still sign up to do so. Visit northwestu.edu/admissions/visit to sign up for a summer visit.
2. Location, location, location.
Location is another important factor to consider. While you’ll be spending a lot of time on campus, don’t forget about off-campus features and highlights as well. NU students love the safe, small-town feel of Kirkland, Washington, while still being just a short drive away from the big-city amenities of Seattle, where you can find incredible restaurants, museums, parks, music venues, and coffee shops. There’s never a shortage of things to do around here! Additionally, being close to Seattle means our students get to benefit from some of the best internships and job opportunities at some of the world's most innovative companies.
3. Carefully review your financial aid offer.
If you’ve applied to more than one college, now is the time to carefully review each financial aid offer that you’ve received. Remember, the advertised price of attendance (sometimes referred to as the “sticker price”) and the actual cost of attendance may be significantly different when you factor in financial aid. Need help deciphering your award letter? Reach out to our financial aid counselors, who are ready to answer any questions you might have.
4. Pray and ask God to help you.
Pray and ask the Lord to guide you as you make your college decision. Remember that you are not alone and can trust Him to help you finalize your plans. Let His peace lead you. As Scripture says in Philippians 4:6–7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).