From Decision to Deposit to Orientation: What Comes Next

Making the Decision

At the University of Northwestern, our admissions team leans in during the complicated decision-making process. We invite families to schedule one more campus visit, to ask detailed questions about majors and opportunities, and to walk through their student’s financial aid package, line by line. Our goal is simple: to help students discern where God is calling them to learn, grow, and lead.

Making It Official: The Enrollment Deposit

The enrollment deposit is more than a payment—it’s a commitment. It tells Northwestern, “Yes, I’ll be there in the fall.” This $200 deposit secures a student’s place in the incoming class and ensures they don’t miss key next steps that happen quickly over the summer.

What Happens Next

Once a deposit is processed, students move from “applicant” to “incoming student,” and things begin to take shape:

• Academic advising and course registration
• Housing or commuting applications
• New Student Days, a summer pre-orientation experience where students meet classmates, connect with faculty and staff, and begin to feel at home on campus

By the time fall arrives, they’re not starting from scratch. Orientation begins on Friday, August 21, 2026, and continues until the first day of classes on Wednesday, August 26—so students step onto campus continuing to build confidence in knowing campus and its resources.

A Meaningful Milestone

From decision to deposit to those first days on campus, this is more than a series of steps—it’s part of God’s faithful guidance in a student’s life. As plans come together, we trust that he is directing each path, opening the right doors, and preparing students for the community and calling ahead.

Unsure about your next steps? Reach out to your family’s admission counselor for direction or schedule a campus visit to finalize your enrollment.

Closing the loop: After committing to one school, it’s important to notify the other colleges where you’ve been admitted. A quick email or form is usually enough, but it allows those schools to offer spots, housing, or financial aid to other students who are still waiting.