Am I a transfer student?
The answer is yes if you have any transferable college credits taken after graduating from high school. NNU accepts credits from almost all other regionally accredited colleges and universities. The process of applying for admission to NNU is different for a transfer than for a first-time freshman. As an experienced college student already, you may be all too familiar with the confusion of transferring documents and materials to other universities as well as with the sometimes extensive process of applying for admission and financial aid. At NNU we strive to serve this student group throughout the process with an admissions counselor dedicated solely to transfers and with helpful and available personnel in the financial aid and Registrar’s offices.
Information about transferring to NNU is available from this webpage, through our catalog, or via mail, email, phone, or campus visit. Connecting with NNU’s transfer student admissions counselor is crucial if you are ready to start the application process or if you just have questions about NNU or transferring. Don’t hesitate to contact Anna Lee through NNU’s toll-free number, 1-877-NNU-4YOU, or directly at 208/467-8499 or by email at aslee(at)nnu.edu.
Admissions Checklist:
• The first step is to fill out the standard Application for Admission and Financial Aid. Be sure to indicate on the application that you are a transfer and to list all previously attended institutions.
• The next step is to request official transcripts directly from all colleges or universities you have attended. (Failure to disclose attendance at a previous institution could result in dismissal from Northwest Nazarene.) If you are still in progress at a school, please submit an initial or unofficial transcript and plan to order a final official copy when you have completed all coursework there.
• You will be required to submit official ACT or SAT scores if you have fewer than 28 transferable credits. If you haven’t taken one of these exams, you can sign up for a national testing date or ask about taking one on the NNU campus.
• Order your official high school transcripts or high school equivalency test scores if you have fewer then 48 transferable credits.
• Complete the Lifestyle form.
• All transfers are required to submit the Personal Recommendation form. This can be completed for you by a pastor, employer, teacher, etc. Your recommender cannot be a relative.
• You will be required to submit the Academic Recommendation form if you will have fewer than 28 transferable credits. For transfer students, a high school or college teacher/counselor can complete this form for you.
• Complete Health Questionnaire and Housing Application. Please submit the housing form even if you do not plan to live on campus.
• Fill out the Educational Objectives Questionnaire if you will have fewer than 17 transferable credits.
Transfer Admissions Criteria: The minimum requirements to be accepted as a transfer student at NNU are as follows:
• Complete 28 college or university semester credits*
• Cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0
• Good academic standing at all previous institutions
*Students with fewer than 28 transferable credits will still have transfer student status but will be admitted considering freshman criteria as well as college work.
Freshman Admissions Criteria: In order to be accepted as a freshman to NNU, you must meet two out of the three following criteria:
• Cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.5
• Class standing in the top 50% of graduating class
• ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 870 or higher
Students falling below regular requirement in one or more area may be admitted on provisional status. Call the transfer admissions counselor for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions by Transfers:
How can I determine what courses will transfer? The Office of the Registrar will evaluate your transcript to determine what college level courses will apply toward a bachelor’s degree. A summary of credits accepted, a major degree audit, and a classification can be determined if you submit your transcript early. Technical, vocational, and remedial classes will not transfer. NNU does not accept grades below a C- (1.75) for transfer. If you have course work from a college outside of the U.S., official course descriptions in English are required.
Will NNU accept college level examination program (CLEP) credit? If you received an accepted score, you will receive units of credit for CLEP test. This also includes units received from Advanced Placement (AP) tests. These may not be included in the residency requirement for graduation. A maximum of 25 percent of total credits required for degree (31 credits) may be earned for non-classroom experience. All scores must be sent to the University from the testing center.
Will I lose credit if I transfer to NNU from a quarter system? If a student is transferring from a quarter system to NNU, that student will not lose units. The units are simply calculated into the semester system. Quarter units are divided by 1.5 to calculate semester units.
