I. ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION POLICIES
Northwestern University with its mission of making education more accessible adopts an open admission policy.
In recent years, the number of students entering higher education has increased dramatically. This growth in number has brought significant diversity of educational backgrounds and posed challenges to meet the demands and needs of the diverse student population.
A. Pre-admission
Testing and Evaluation
The Diagnostic Test is an aptitude test administered to all incoming College Freshmen which is used to measure students’ proficiency in English, Math, and Science. The test is taken prior to admission to college and the results define whether the student needs enhancement or advancement in Math, English or Science. The student-applicant is required to take computer-assisted test. A student may either obtain a High or Low rating. A student with Low rating shall be required to enroll in Intensive Math or Intensive English Review on the first semester of enrollment.
For foreign students who have passed their Grade 12 Mathematics or its equivalent are exempted to take the test.
Clinical
B. Admission
With the implementation of the K to 12 Program and the New General Education Curriculum, through CHED Memorandum No. 10, series of 2017 consistent with DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2015, Northwestern University is mandated to enroll eligible students, provided that they fulfill the admission requirements of the university.
Admission in a higher education institution is the initial entry of a student in college as a College Freshman, who graduated from Senior High School (or Grade 12). A transfer student, cross enrollee or foreign student is likewise admitted in college to any degree program of his/her choice, subject to school policies.
Admission to the Law Program of new students and transferees shall likewise be subject to school admission policies.
Enrollment in Northwestern University is a privilege. As such, the university reserves the right to admit, readmit, and refuse students from being admitted under certain conditions. Students admitted in any of the above-mentioned categories are required to comply with admission requirements imposed by their chosen program of study.
The University, a non-sectarian institution, admits male and female students. New students applying for admission are generally required to submit admission requirements.
Forty-five (45) days from the official start of classes, admission of students commences. Late enrollees are given an extension of two weeks from the start of classes to seek admission and registration.
If a student fails to submit any admission requirement, he/she is admitted under provisional status. Temporary admission status remains until the student submits the lacking document/s within a period of thirty days from the start of classes.
New students are admitted based on the following categories namely:
1) College Freshmen;
2) Transfer students;
3) Cross-enrollees;
4) Foreign students; and
5) Refresher Course Students
1) College Freshmen
All graduates from recognized senior high school, seeking admission to Northwestern University must submit to the Admissions Office, the following:
a. SF-09 (Senior High School Report Card) marked eligible for admission to college and which has not been previously canceled by another school;
b. Certificate of Good Moral Character from Senior High School where graduated;
c. Duly- authenticated Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate, if applicable, from the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA formerly, NSO)
d. Certificate of Honor (Rank 1, 2, 3, & 4) signed by the Principal and marked with the school seal.
e. NCAE result
f. For ALS completer, he/she must submit a certificate of completion in addition to the admission requirements. (As per RA 11150 or the Alternative Learning System Act of the Philippines)
2) Transfer students
Students who have been previously admitted in any higher education institution, but desires to transfer to Northwestern University should submit the following admission requirements:
a. Transfer Credentials or Certificate of Transfer
b. Certificate of Good Moral Character
c. OTR / Copy of Grades / GWA Certification
d. Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistic Authority / Marriage Certificate, if married.
Any student who fails to submit his/her Transfer Credentials and/or any other admission requirements shall be admitted on a provisional status.
3) Cross Enrollees
Students permitted by their host schools to enroll subjects in Northwestern University must submit to the Admissions /Registrar’s Office and College Dean, the following:
a. Permit to Cross-enroll issued by mother school.
b. Photocopy of valid school ID issued by mother school
Cross-enrollment to another institution is discouraged and shall be subject to institutional policies, rules and regulations of the accepting institution. (Sec.93, Art. XIX, MORPHE)
4) Foreign students
A foreign student seeking admission to Northwestern University is required to submit to the Admission/ Registrar’s Office and the College Dean, the following documents prior to admission:
a. Student Visa / Special Study Permit, if below 18 years old
b. Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card in accordance with the Executive Order No. 285 Amending the Guidelines Governing the Entry and Stay of Foreign Students in the Philippines and the Establishment of an Inter-Agency Committee on Foreign Students for the Purpose. Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM-2015-007-Prescribing the Comprehensive Rules and Guidelines on Student Visa Under Section 9 (F) of Commonwealth Act. No. 613, as amended in relation to Executive Order No. 285, series of 2000; an
c. Certificate of Temporary Residence, in accordance with the Executive Order No. 188 Guidelines on the Entry and Stay of Foreign Students in thePhilippines, and CHED Order No.2 Series 1994 Rules and Regulations to
implement Executive Order No. 188.
d. Scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post, sealed by the school of the student from the school and place of origin of the student.
e. Student Passport showing the date & place of birth.
5) Refresher Course Students
A refresher course student may be admitted to Northwestern University for audit purposes without earning credits subject to conditions as the institution may prescribe. As such, he may be exempted from class assignments and examination. (Section 89 MORPHE)
C. Registration
Registration is an academic process that follows after admission of a new student in any academic program of his/her choice, whereby he is advised to enroll courses based on the program curriculum. An old student goes through this process after a thorough academic evaluation and advising has been done in the College.
Students are guided by the CHED approved School Calendar and student information guide/ announcement when registration shall start. An extension of two weeks from the official start of classes is given to late enrollees as allowed by CHED. (Section 84 MORPHE)
A student is deemed officially enrolled after he has submitted his/her Transfer Credentials, made an initial payment of his/her tuition and other fees to the institution, and has started attending classes.
Registration is the process of enrolling a previously-admitted freshman, transfer student, cross-enrollee, refresher course student or foreign student into his/her chosen academic program. For academic progression, an old student likewise registers in his/her academic program by enrolling courses or subjects in a particular semester or term as provided in the CHED approved curriculum and as recommended by his/her faculty adviser.
For purposes of enrollment, the name and other personal data or circumstances of each student as indicated in his/her birth certificate or alien certificate of registration shall prevail.
D. Shifting to Another Program of Study
Prior to registration, when a student decides to change the academic program where he/she was originally admitted, he/she must thick the shifting box in his/her enrollment portal. The student is referred to the Guidance Director for career advice and undergo an Interest Test. The student gets his/her former Dean’s approval, then is advised to proceed to the Dean of the program where he/she intends to shift, who will conduct academic evaluation using the new program curriculum.
The student’s database academic record at the Registrar’s Office will be changed accordingly upon registration.
E. Withdrawal from enrolment
A student may be allowed to withdraw or cancel his enrollment, after completing registration, within two weeks from the official start of classes; with parent’s consent, if he is below 18 years old. The student may be charged in full of all the school fees if he/she withdraws any time after the second week of classes. (Section 100, MORPHE 2015) However, if the reason for withdrawal is meritorious, the administration shall collect pertinent fees on a prorated basis within a reasonable period.
The form for Withdrawal of Enrolment (NWU-AM 002) must be accomplished and submitted to the Registrar’s Office promptly. In meritorious cases, the student is advised to file an application for a student Leave of Absence (LOA).
F. Changing of Schedule
A student may be allowed to make corrections or changes in his/her Registration Form for meritorious reasons, or may add more courses or drop courses as approved by the College Dean/ Program Head/ Faculty Adviser. He/she goes through the process of Adding/Dropping through their enrollment portal. This takes place within the first five days of classes.
However, if dropping of one or more subjects takes place beyond two weeks from the official start of classes, dropping a subject is made official by putting a mark, Officially Dropped in the student’s academic record.
Regular tuition charges shall still apply. Upon payment of prescribed fees at the Finance Office, the Registrar’s Office uploads a new registration form of the student in their enrollment portal.
G. Transfer to Another School
Any eligible student who intends to transfer to another school must apply for Transfer Credentials from the Registrar’s Office. Eligible student is one who applies for transfer to another institution a) who has no unsettled obligation in the University, and b) who is not under the penalty of suspension by the institution or expulsion imposed by CHED. (Section 95, MORPHE 2015)
Students of minor age shall be accompanied by a parent /guardian for this purpose.
H. Petitioned Subjects
A petitioned subject is one which is not a regular offering during the semester it is requested but the student needs to enroll this subject to graduate during his/her final term. A petitioned subject may be offered by the University subject to the viability of conditions as prescribed by the University.
A petitioned subject may be filed by a student through a letter of intent stating among others the need to enroll said subject, and the justification to the VPAA for approval and accomplishing the form Petition for Course Offering.