PSEO on Purpose

Northwestern’s PSEO on Purpose is an event designed to help students create their future with intention. Every student during their last few years of high school start asking big questions about what comes next. Where should I apply to college? Should I even go to college? What am I good at? What interests me? Am I ready for college-level classes? Which courses should I take? Would earning an Associate Degree by the time I graduate from high school benefit me? And do I really need to take another Physical Education class in high school as an elective—what are my other options? 

At PSEO on Purpose, the answers to those big questions often come into focus. The event provides greater clarity of the Minnesota State’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program—an incredible opportunity for Minnesota high school students to earn college credit for free during the fall and spring terms. 

Students also discover Northwestern’s Early College program, which opens even more doors. The Early College program offers discounted tuition and year-round courses—fall, spring, and summer— for out-of-state students and provides Minnesota students with access to highly discounted tuition summer classes including select Bible courses not covered by the state-funded PSEO Program. 

Students will also discover that PSEO and Early College offer two flexible ways to learn. They can complete coursework online- perfect for fitting into a study hall or a busy high school schedule- or they can choose to learn on-campus at Northwestern, attending classes alongside traditional college students. Whether students prefer the convenience of asynchronous online learning or the energy of an in-person college classroom, they can choose the style that fits them best. 

As students understand the program options, they can dive into the exciting part—exploring courses and discovering what fits their goals. Whether through PSEO or Early College, students are encouraged to use these opportunities strategically to support their academic and career pathways.

Looking to build essential skills? Northwestern offers courses like Public Speaking, College Success, Basic Computer Applications, Beginning Spanish I, Fitness and Health for Life, etc. 

Want to complete some core high school classes at the college level? Select from Concepts of Chemistry, Principles of Economics, College Writing & Research, Personal Money Management, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, etc.    

Curious about potential careers? Students can explore fields through Criminology, Discovering Majors, Introduction to Psychology, Exploring the Profession of Nursing, Introduction to Theatre, etc.

Want an elective not available at your high school? Choose from options like Application of Digital Logic, Cultural Awareness, Critical Thinking & Writing, or Programming I- Java etc. 

With so many courses to explore at Northwestern, students can personalize their academic journey, meet high school graduation requirements, and begin shaping their future with confidence and they won’t have to do it alone. At the half-day PSEO on Purpose event, high school students will be able to attend breakout sessions, go on tours, listen to a student panel and attend workshops hosted by experts in their field. They will get to meet the Admissions team who will guide them through the application process. Students in a workshop can start their application bringing them one step closer to their goals before they leave the event. Next, students will learn about the support they’ll receive after being admitted.  Every admitted student is paired with an Academic Advisor who helps with course selection and registrations ensuring they stay on track and feel supported throughout the program. Students will also be introduced to the many additional resources available at Northwestern. The Career Leadership and Development office helps students explore their strengths, consider potential career paths, and gain valuable insights through coaching, workshops, events, professional connections, and online tools – ideal for those unsure about their major. Another key resource is the Academic Achievement office, which offers subject tutoring, writing, tutoring, and academic coaching and test-taking strategies. Whether a class is more challenging than expected or a student wants to strengthen their study habits, this office provides the help they need to succeed.

As you can see, Northwestern’s PSEO on Purpose is more than just an event — it’s a game-changer. Students walk out of the event feeling inspired, informed, and prepared to take the next step toward their academic journey. 

One On-Campus PSEO student shared:

“Before attending, I wasn’t sure what it would feel like to be a high school student on a college campus. Learning that PSEO students can join clubs, participate in intramurals, and even work on campus made me excited and confident about the transition.”

Hearing directly from current PSEO students made the experience even more real:

“Their insight about workload, organization, and campus involvement showed me that PSEO is doable and exciting.”

By the end of the event, this student knew exactly what to do next:

“I left with a clear plan, ready to pick my classes, create my schedule, and even finish my application right away. I was confident that PSEO was the right choice for me.”

PSEO on Purpose shows students how to make their academic journey achievable, exciting and full of opportunity. Designed to inform prospective students and their families about the PSEO program, this event is not to be missed.