Northwest Missouri State University Parents Brochure 1213

NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

NORTHWEST PARENT

RIGOROUS ACADEMICS IN A CHALLENGING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT Welcome to Northwest Missouri State University!

We understand that choosing a college is a family decision. It’s one of the most important investments you’ll ever make.

We also know that it’s natural for you to worry about your son or daughter as they trek off to a few years of freedom, independence and exploration. Take comfort in knowing that a team of professionals dedicated to your son’s or daughter’s success awaits your student at Northwest. From incredible academic support and a variety of campus activities to the friendly, safe environment that you expect, Northwest is an outstanding choice.

A degree from Northwest isn’t just a piece of paper, it’s a collection of experiences and memories, of support and skills, and it’s the key to unlocking doors. We provide many services and opportunities to prepare your son or daughter for success after graduation. The Office of Career Services, the Advisement Assistance and Resource Office, Student Affairs, and the Talent Development Center, combined with rigorous campuswide instruction, work together to ensure student success.

Northwest is an excellent choice for any student who wants to be emersed in a rigorous academic environment that is both challenging and supportive while preparing them for today’s technologically savvy work environment. It’s perfect for students who see college as a time to spread their wings and get involved in campus activities.

Many students say Northwest offers them the best academic preparation in their major or that they were attracted by the Textbook Rental Program and the Laptop Computer Program. Cost is sometimes a factor. So is location. Many times our students and parents realize the importance of Northwest’s smaller class sizes or being taught by full-time professors, not graduate assistants.

More than anything, students say they like the atmosphere at Northwest: it’s friendly, it’s an easy place to fit in and it’s safe.

800.633.1175 www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/parents

STUDENT SUCCESS Investing in Northwest pays off in many ways. Our students’ success is measured by the following: ■■ Our graduation rate is 58 percent.

■■ Northwest student-athletes achieve an academic success rate of 83% and graduation rate of 60%. This is on pace, or exceeds, peers within the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference and the state of Missouri.

■■ Our undergraduate placement rate six months after graduation, either in employment or continuing education, is 93 percent.

■■ 90 percent of our freshmen return for their second trimester.

■■ Northwest has a leading Freshman Success Rate. The rate is based on the number of freshmen completing 24 credit hours with a minimum 2.00 grade-point average. Northwest boasts a rate of 74 percent.

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Northwest

FRESHMAN SUCCESS RATE

compared to other moderately selective universities in Missouri which include Missouri Southern State University, Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Central Missouri Source: MDHE

PERSONALIZED EDUCATION With a 22-to-1 student-tofaculty ratio, it’s easy to see why Northwest professors know their students by name.

Our 247 full-time faculty are dedicated to quality teaching and demand excellence in return.

■■ 75 percent of classes have fewer than 30 students.

■■ 95 percent of all tenure and tenure-track faculty have the highest degree in their field.

■■ Professors, not graduate assistants, do the actual teaching.

■■ Professors provide links to students’ academic areas and serve as information sources for internship opportunities and graduate schools.

■■ Professors are mentors during a student’s time here and become colleagues once the student graduates.

■■ Students learn by doing through hands-on learning.

■■ 95 percent of Northwest graduates participated in high impact education experiences during their education. These experiences include internships, study abroad programs, student-faculty research and service learning opportunities, among others.

HONORS PROGRAM Northwest’s Honors Program specifically targets high-ability, motivated students. Students in the program will take up to three Honors courses their first trimester. To be considered for the program, students must have a minimum ACT composite score of 26 and a high school GPA of at least 3.50.

TEXTBOOK/ LAPTOP COMPUTER RENTAL PROGRAM Rental of your primary textbooks is included in your tuition and fees and is a $6 per credit hour charge.

This means that Northwest students, on average, save $900 a year over students at other universities. Over four years, that’s $3,600 that stays in your pocket. It also saves students the time and hassle of having to find, buy and resell textbooks.

All full-time students are provided a laptop computer. All Northwest residence halls and classroom buildings support wireless Internet. Wireless access is also available in the B.D. Owens Library and the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Printers are available at the front desk of each residence hall and in computer labs, and black and white printing costs 10¢ per page and $1 for color. Students may bring their own printer.

Northwest Computing Services provides maintenance and repair for University issued laptops at no cost to the student.

Students may load their own

legal software and programs onto their computers. The laptops come preloaded with Microsoft Windows 7 business operating system, Microsoft Office 2010 professional (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Internet Explorer 8 and antivirus software.

LIVING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Students living in our residence halls receive much more than a comfortable place to call home.

It’s also an environment rich in student support.

■■ Freshman Learning Centers – Students connect with positive role models, learn to make positive choices, interact with Academic Resource Consultants in Halls (ARCH) to promote good study habits and receive computing assistance from Peer Educators in Residence for Technology (PERTs).

■■ Freshman Seminar – Not only does this class acquaint students to Northwest and college life in general, it also allows students to participate in fun, educational events at their residence halls.

■■ A program titled Building Relationships and Integrating Diverse Growth Experiences (BRIDGEs) facilitates diversity education in residence halls and promotes an enriching environment by providing programming and resources for students and staff that will stimulate an active interest in other cultures.

www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/parents 800.633.1175

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Northwest offers numerous free services to help your son or daughter be successful in an academically challenging environment.

■■ The Talent Development Center offers a variety of free academic support services to students, including tutoring.

■■ An Early Alert System is in place for faculty concerned about student academic progress.

■■ Northwest’s Supplemental Instruction program uses student facilitators to assist other students enrolled in difficult courses.

■■ The Writing Center, a branch of the English Department, helps students become better writers.

■■ The Math Lab is staffed with tutoring services for all levels of math courses.

■■ The Advisement Assistance and Orientation Office assists students with academic questions and informs them of additional resources.

■■ Freshman Seminar, a course designed to introduce students to Northwest, covers topics such as adjusting to university life, what skills are necessary to make the most of the university experience, and academic programs and advisement.

■■ Student Support Services is a program designed to assist first generation college students or those who have special needs.

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Northwest

SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE

compared to other moderately selective universities in Missouri which include Missouri Southern State University, Southeast Missouri State University and University of Central Missouri Source: MDHE

800.633.1175 www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/parents

■■ The Office of Residential Life’s Academic Resource Consultant in Hall (ARCH) works with one Freshman Learning Center to facilitate academic progress and promote an environment of intellectual inquiry by providing programming and resources for students and staff.

■■ The Student-Athlete Success Program (SASP) provides Northwest student-athletes with academic advising, academic progress reports, mentoring and career development.

■■ Peer Educators in Residence for Technology (PERTs) are available to help with computer equipment. They work primarily in the Freshman Learning Centers and assist with computer and printer setup, network services and troubleshooting.

www.nwmissouri.edu/careerserv

MEETING YOUR CAREER GOALS Northwest Career Services provides many resources, events and opportunities for students, parents, employers, faculty, staff and alumni, all with the goal of bringing talent and opportunity together.

CAREER COUNSELING/ ASSESSMENT

■■ Learn about resources and events to aid you in choosing a major.

■■ Explore career options with Career Services professionals.

■■ Use online tools to assess career self-awareness.

INTERVIEW SKILLS

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS

■■ Learn how to make a good first impression.

■■ Interview resources available on our website.

■■ Visiting recruiters travel to the Northwest campus to interview candidates for internships and post graduation employment.

■■ Interviews are scheduled throughout the year.

■■ Career Services offers advice on the dos and don’ts of interviewing.

■■ Opportunities are listed on our website.

“MOCK” INTERVIEW DAYS RÉSUMÉ CRITIQUES

■■ Learn how to polish your résumé.

■■ Improve your résumé and cover letter with the assistance of a professional.

■■ Sample résumés and resources are located on our website.

INTERNSHIP PARTICIPATION

■■ Learn how to market yourself and polish interview skills.

■■ Receive immediate feedback from real employers.

■■ Job fair for education majors and school districts.

■■ Network with teaching professionals and learn more about education career paths.

CAREER DAYS

■■ Network with employers regarding internships and full-time employment.

PRESENTATIONS

■■ Explore career options.

■■ Meet with representatives about graduate and professional school.

■■ Add valuable experience to your résumé.

■■ Discuss career options with recruiters and professionals.

■■ Test drive a career path.

EDUCATION EXPO

■■ Faculty and student organizations frequently invite Career Services to share career development information.

NORTHWEST PLACEMENT INFORMATION

■■ First destination employment and continuing education statistics of recent graduates are available on our website. www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/parents 800.633.1175

ADVANTAGE WEEK

SUMMER ORIENTATION ADVISEMENT AND REGISTRATION (SOAR) This is the first step in your son’s or daughter’s college career at Northwest. During SOAR, students receive fall course schedules, meet current and new Northwest students and experience the first phase of orientation to the University.

SOAR also provides parents an opportunity to receive an orientation. You will receive information about the services, resources and opportunities available to your student at Northwest. You can also: ■■ Ask current students questions during a panel discussion.

■■ Visit with representatives from several key offices across campus during our Student Services Fair and receive answers to your questions.

Incoming freshmen and transfer students arrive on campus four days before classes begin in the fall to participate in Advantage Week, our freshman orientation program designed to ease students into the college routine. Students: ■■ Are introduced to the campus and its services.

■■ Meet other students, participate in activities and group sessions and become familiar with residence halls and roommates.

■■ Get to know their way around Maryville.

■■ Will begin meeting with their Freshman Seminar class, get to know their advisor and peer advisor (a current Northwest student) and bond with fellow students.

GREEN CAMPUS At Northwest, we don’t just bleed green, we think green, too.

■■ Northwest has been using alternative fuels since 1982.

■■ Wood pellets, paper pellets and animal waste pellets provide 80-85 percent of Northwest’s thermal energy needs.

■■ Northwest recycles aluminum, plastic, paper, glass, cardboard and other materials across campus.

■■ State and national organizations have recognized Northwest for its energy conservation efforts.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION College is no small investment, but you can do this. We offer many sources of aid and scholarships. During the 20102011 academic year, more than 85 percent of Northwest’s undergraduate students received nearly $62 million in financial aid and scholarships.

■■ Northwest offers a competitive tuition rate.

■■ The textbook loan program provides most textbooks to all undergraduate students.

■■ Every full-time student is provided a laptop computer to use throughout their studies.

■■ Nearly 1,000 Northwest students are employed each trimester at the University.

■■ The average undergraduate financial aid award was more than $10,000 in 2010-2011.

STUDENT SAFETY We take student safety seriously. Northwest University Police employ state-certified commissioned police officers and is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

■■ University Police work closely with the University Wellness Services, Residential Life staff, Freshman Seminar Office, Student Affairs Office and other University offices and student organizations.

■■ During the evening hours, visitors and members of the campus community may request an escort to their vehicle or back to their residence hall.

■■ Northwest has innovative alert systems, including a Simplex System, which broadcasts emergency announcements in campus buildings, and the optional emergency text-message alert program.

■■ All exterior residence halls doors are secured 24/7 with an electronic access system. Resident Assistants conduct rounds throughout the building each night.

WELLNESS SERVICES University Wellness Services encompasses medical, personal development and counseling, health education/promotion, public health, emergency management and response, and nutrition services.

■■ Staff consists of a physician, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals and health promotion professionals.

■■ Front office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

■■ Designated fees paid by all Northwest students enrolled in classes each trimester fund the many services and initiatives that Wellness Services offers. Please visit www.nwmissouri.edu/ wellness/fees.htm to see how Wellness Services benefit Northwest students and the campus.

■■ Wellness Services can bill students’ University accounts or their health insurance provider for services offered. Please visit www. nwmissouri.edu/wellness/ insurance.htm for more information.

LIVING ON CAMPUS To assist new students in the transition to Northwest, all firsttime freshmen are required to live in the residence halls and have a meal plan unless they are 21, married or commuting from their parent/legal guardian’s primary residence within 60 miles of Maryville.

First-time transfer and current students who have reached sophomore status are not required to live in residence halls, but many choose to because of convenience.

BEARCAT CARD The student ID is a lot more than just a piece of personalized plastic.

■■ It’s an identification card for free entry to Bearcat athletic events, library checkout and more.

■■ It’s a meal card, and can also be used for Pizza Hut pizza.

■■ It’s a debit card.

■■ It’s a multi-use card for vending machines and copiers.

■■ It can be used as a charge card at the Bearcat Bookstore and charges to a student’s University account.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME Welcome to Maryville, or “The ’Ville,” a community of 11,000 in northwest Missouri. Students describe The ‘Ville as a perfect college town. From flying flags on game day to the friendly faces all over town, Maryville oozes Northwest pride.

What is there to do in Maryville?

Several parks, a movie theater, bowling alley and championship 18-hole public golf course on Mozingo Lake offer plenty of recreational activities. There’s also a variety of stores, restaurants and community activities.

We’re also perfectly situated just two hours from Kansas City and Omaha, two-and-a-half hours from Des Moines, and 45 minutes from St. Joseph.

www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/parents 800.633.1175

Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Maryville, MO 64468 Permit 215

Office of Admissions

800 University Drive Maryville, MO 64468-6001 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

QUESTIONS?

Call 800.633.1175 with questions for Admissions, Residential Life, Scholarships and Financial Assistance, the Cashiering Office or Computing Services.

Access and Accommodations Wellness Services Men’s Athletics Women’s Athletics Student Affairs

660.562.1726 660.562.1348 660.562.1713 660.562.1297 660.562.1242

Financial Aid

660.562.1363 finaid@nwmissouri.edu

Residential Life

660.562.1214 reslife@nwmissouri.edu

Students with Disabilities 800.633.1175 ada@nwmissouri.edu

Northwest Missouri State University Office of Admissions 800 University Drive Maryville, MO 64468-6001 locally 660.562.1562 fax 660.562.1121 email admissions@nwmissouri.edu

www.nwmissouri.edu 800.633.1175

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