The tapping of keys on a computer’s keyboard. Phone calls in progress. This is what can be heard when entering the admissions office of Northwestern College. The admissions team here at NW works year-round to bring new students to the college.
This year, the admissions team was able to bring in 292 freshmen. That was the official count after the first five days of classes. Considering the fact that there were only 271 freshmen last year and around 282 the two years prior to that, this year’s number has been a welcomed increase for enrollment.
Dean of admissions, Jackie Davis, gives credit to her admissions team for all of their time spent talking with prospective students and building those relationships. Davis mentioned that there is a lot of personal attention that goes into the admissions counselors’ communication with students and the recruiting process.
After receiving and looking at feedback from visiting students, the admissions team is aware that prospective students have noticed and appreciated the personal attention shown to them by NW. Students who chose NW, as well as students who choose to go elsewhere, have said that while visiting colleges, Northwestern had the most personalized and consistent contact through their college choosing process.
Davis also mentioned that NW is doing well as a college in general. There have been several improvements made throughout the campus. These improvements have been both physical as well as within the various departments on campus. As Davis said, “Our standout programs speak for themselves.”
In response to the question of whether she thinks enrollment will continue to increase in future years, Davis replied, “The only thing predictable with admissions is that it is unpredictable.”
When asked about specific departments, Davis stated that a lot of credit goes to the athletic department and “the coaches [who] brought in a large athletic class.”
One particular freshman the athletic department was able to recruit was Annika Spirgath. Spirgath is a computer science major from Bammental, Germany.
The main reason she decided to come to NW is because she was offered a scholarship to play for the women’s tennis team.
During the recruiting process, Spirgath was able to Skype with the tennis coach and learn more about the tennis team and NW in general.
“It felt like I was welcome here,” Spirgath expressed with a smile. She was also intrigued by the small-town feel of Orange City as well as the indication that almost everybody knows everybody.
Spirgath’s impression of NW so far is that there are “super nice people” here and everyone is “very welcoming.” Spirgath has also been impressed by NW’s faculty and stated, “The relationship between students and professors is really close.” She feels like she can talk to her professors about anything.
The admissions team, as well as the athletic department, work hard to not only bring in students from the United States, but from all around the world.
When it comes to the recruiting process and treatment of prospective students, it appears as though NW does “Stand Out” in multiple ways.
Whether it is a student who has lived in the same town as NW all of their life or a student thousands of miles away, NW cares enough to get to know students and encourage them to become Red Raiders.
