Orientation
Orientation programs are central to the onboarding, advisement, and registration process for new and returning students. Once admitted, orientation is the next step in a student's academic career at Northwest. Any undergraduate: freshman, transfer, returning, non-degree, or post-baccalaureate student, beginning at or returning to Northwest, registers for an orientation program, available online or in-person, and completes an advising intake survey in CatPAWS. Northwest's orientation program acclimates students to Northwest and provides them with important information for navigating the institution successfully. In addition, completing the advisement intake survey initiates the advisement and registration process coordinated by Student Success Center staff in conjunction with academic departments. Welcome programs are provided at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters for new students.
Orientation programs include:
SOAR is a robust in-person experience for traditional freshman starting in the fall, and their parents. This includes combined programming and programming that is unique to each population. This day includes an opportunity for students and families to meet with an advisor in the afternoon to discuss their student's personal academic experience and fall schedule. Families can interact with people from across campus and take care of university-related items at their convenience.
New Student Orientation for Transfer and Returning Students is an in-person experience for students to attend orientation and meet with an advisor in their academic area. The day contains a lot of important information and is compact to allow students to take care of any items they need to while on campus and allow sufficient time for advisement meetings with academic departments.
Online orientation units are available for online students, as well as all other undergraduate populations. We know it's not always convenient to come to campus ahead of school starting, and our staff try to provide as much flexibility as possible to meet your needs as you prepare for your academic career at Northwest.
Advantage and Winter Welcome are in-person welcome programs that kick off the start of the fall and spring semesters. They include important information to help get students acclimated but also activities to kick off the semester.