School Counselors’ Blog

Not all bright students shine on standardized tests. For them, high school GPA is a better indicator of their academic potential, because it reflects performance over many semesters.

Nebraska Wesleyan University recognized this reality early on. NWU was the first school in Nebraska to offer a test-optional path to admission.

At NWU, students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or above may choose not to submit a test score and still qualify to receive at least $13,000 annually in four-year renewable scholarships.

Nebraska Wesleyan University seeks to attract students who are prepared to thrive in an intensive educational environment and persist through graduation. Our holistic Standards of Admission Ratings process (StAR) gives us an objective means of rating each student’s academic preparedness.

How does StAR work? NWU officials rate students in six areas on a five-point scale. Those criteria include:

Dr. Darrin Good has been named the 17th President of Nebraska Wesleyan University. He begins at a time when the university is building unprecedented momentum with record enrollment and a $62 million investment in student learning and experiences.

“Dr. Good is an energetic, values-based leader, who is a sincere advocate for the liberal arts,” said Susan Gourley, chair of NWU’s Board of Governors. “He is a champion for diversity and inclusion efforts, as evidenced not only through his vocational journey but through his personal values and qualities.”

by Bill Motzer, vice president for enrollment

Great news for your students with interests in the sciences. The spring semester marks the opening of Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Duane W. Acklie Hall of Science.

The new $29 million facility houses NWU’s departments of biology, chemistry and psychology. With its state-of-the-art equipment, instrumentation and lab spaces, it’s the perfect place for the way our students learn in the sciences today.

January 22 and February 12 are our next two on-campus scholarship events. These events are customized for students with different academic interests. They give students and families great access to professors and alumni professionals who are thriving in their fields.