North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School’s global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we’ve learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don’t see what you’re looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university’s mission and alumni needs.
Life Groups at North Park are sponsored by University Ministries and are a great way to learn about what it means to walk with Christ.
LifeGroups at North Park are sponsored and resourced by University Ministries. What are LifeGroups? They are groups of four to ten students who gather weekly to intentionally walk with or toward Christ together. LifeGroups are for anyone who has an interest in the Christian faith. This can include a spectrum of people from those who want to know more about faith and the Christian life, to those who are actively following Christ. LifeGroups are also a great way to explore what it means to follow Christ individually and in a group setting.
When Amber Jipp, CollegeLife and Spiritual Formation Coordinator for University Ministries, started at North Park in the fall of 2016, there were no current University Ministries (UMin) sponsored Small Groups. “I am very passionate about small groups and really empowering the visions that students have,” says Amber. Currently, there are around 14 LifeGroups resourced by University Ministries which are open to all students. Sponsored LifeGroups have access to resources such as printing flyers, creating events, spiritual guidance and coaching from UMin leaders, and use of UMin facilities.
LifeGroups take all different shapes and sizes as their student leader enters into the discernment process. Some are focused on discipleship, some are centered in one book of the bible, while others are for creative worship practices. LifeGroups are for those who know and desire to grow in Christ in an intentional community.
Jomarie Perlas, a previous student leader, found extreme joy in leading and walking alongside other women in her group while they “learn how to be young adults, daughters in Christ, and college students, while also navigating a broken world.” Her group times are spaces where she and others have been able to share personal stories, ask difficult questions about their frustrations and causes of anger, but also receive encouragement and hope. “We’re not meant to do this messy thing called life alone. This is the significance of being with our brothers and sister in a committed way,” said Jomarie.
LifeGroups are started by students who see a need for prayer groups, Bible studies, book studies, or other shared practices. LifeGroups are expressions and visions of communities working together, moving towards Christ or learning more about Christ at North Park. Starting a LifeGroup sponsored or resourced by North Park University Ministries is as easy as sending Amber an email and meeting with her about the LifeGroup’s vision. LifeGroup leaders can also choose how involved UMin is in their groups.
Joining an existing LifeGroup is also easy. Sign-ups are available during the first few Chapel and CollegeLife services, as well as campus events such as the Ice-cream Social and Viking fair. Getting plugged in to a LifeGroup at any time in the semester can be easily done by emailing Amber Jipp.
At North Park, you’ll be a big fish in a small pond.
North Park knows that colleges with a lot of students make it hard to stand out. At North Park, with a student–faculty ratio of 12:1, and around 2,000 undergraduates, there are plenty of opportunities to stand out in your field of study; you can be a Big Fish in a Small Pond.
Small classes. You’re a name, not a number.
The average class size at North Park is 17 students, so you’ll be sure to receive the right attention from your professors and be able to speak your mind during class discussions.
You’re taught and graded by careful and committed professors.
North Park employs accomplished faculty from all over the globe. From local Chicagoans to professors all the way from India, you’ll be sure to receive a quality education and one-on-one interactions with dedicated, experienced, and accomplished professors.
You’ll have tons of hands-on learning opportunities.
Alongside your classroom experiences, North Park’s new Catalyst 606__ program is dedicated to providing you with out-of-class experiences, giving you real, hands-on knowledge specific to each class you are taking. Not only do you get to learn through rigorous academics, but you get to apply that very same knowledge in the real world.
Strong sense of community.
With Chapel and CollegeLife every Wednesday and Sunday respectively, and a variety of clubs and intramural sports to join, there are no limits to activities and relationships that’ll keep you connected.
Alumni connections mean much more.
Alumni connections are an important part of North Park. Alumni are deeply connected to each other and the school, so you’re part of a global community of North Parkers.
You’ll actually be recognized for your work and talent.
North Park has programs designed to stretch you to your best, and recognize your talents. Through North Park’s Research Experience for Summer Students (NPRESS), you get academic-level research experience with a faculty mentor. Awards like the Distinguished Seniors Awards recognize male and female seniors for outstanding academic and extracurricular work and activities.
Learn about North Park’s new Snap Spectacles and where you might see them next!
Snapchat: North Park’s New Spectacle
North Park University is expanding its social media presence and capabilities with the use of Snapchat Spectacles. Since the launch of North Park’s Snapchat a little over a year ago, the platform has consistently gathered the University’s fastest-growing social media following. Excited to connect with current students and the students of tomorrow, North Park has recently added Snapchat Spectacles to its arsenal. These “snap specs” are sunglasses with cameras and sensors built directly into the frame.
How it works
An LED light indicator prominently displays when the wearer is taking the 10-second videos which are recorded at the touch of a button. The Spectacles are connected via a smartphone, and the videos recorded are then uploaded to North Park’s Snapchat Story. Snapchat has over 173 million active global daily users, and the Spectacles will help North Park utilize Snapchat on the go. This wearable technology gives us an innovative way to reach hundreds of prospective and current students already using Snapchat on a daily basis.
What to Expect
The Spectacles have already been in use over Homecoming weekend where we captured footage of alumni and current students participating in the day’s events and on the field at North Park’s Holmgren Athletic Complex. Student ambassadors will also wear the Spectacles during select campus tours, an excellent way for prospective students to engage in tours that they might not be able to attend. The opportunities are endless, and soon you may see “spec snaps” showcasing students, University events, or new programs like Catalyst 606__.
Coming Soon . . .
Make sure to look for the first Snapchat tour, this Friday, September 22nd!
Plus . . . new filters will soon be available on campus featuring more graphics and Ragnar, our Mascot.
Contrary to popular belief, Ragnar made his first voyage across the Atlantic with famous Viking Leif Erikson.
Contrary to popular belief, Ragnar made his first voyage across the Atlantic with famous Viking, Leif Erikson. Since his brief stay in North America, Ragnar has since moved back to the north of Sweden. Because of North Park’s Swedish heritage, SGA decided to send out applications to Sweden when searching for a Mascot.
Whether by word of mouth or Viking sail mail, word reached Ragnar, and he applied for the position. “It’s really great to know that we have a real Viking on our hands. We knew the search would be difficult, but Ragnar was prompt in his response. He’s youthful for his age,” commented former SGA President.
On condition of anonymity, Ragnar also added that he requested special transport by “aeroplane” as his previous journey across the Atlantic “was sickening.”
Ragnar has received a healthy amount of exposure on North Park social media since his move earlier this year as the SGA Spirit Team is ensuring that Ragnar remains in employment for years to come. “It’s nice to see that in his millennium, he is still able to rally the millennials and we can’t wait to see what he’ll do for the crowds this coming fall,” said Alex Coleman, Interim Director of Student Activities.
*Facts may have been altered or fictionalized for the purposes of a funny story; live a little.
How to get to know a school through a few simple questions.
Choosing a college or university can be a tough decision and one that will dictate how the next years of your life will play out. College fairs are a great place to search for schools and ask admissions counselors tough questions about their institutions. Because of the limited amount of time, and the fact that there are probably hundreds of other students looking to talk to the same counselor, here are a few questions that’ll get the most useful information out of your few minutes of conversation.
What’s the student-to-faculty ratio?
By asking this question, you already learn a few key things about the school. The first being the amount of time and dedication your professors will have to enhance and further your learning experience; the smaller the ratio, the more hands-on you will be with your faculty. Additionally, it shows you the value the University places on your relationship with your professors.
How new are the facilities?
Ask this question and you’ll be able to gauge the school’s budget and the amount they’re willing to invest into your education.
What is the culture like?
From here, you’ll be able to find out what type of extracurricular activities are available and the amount of value placed on life experience outside of rigorous academics. You should also be able to find out what the best living option is, on or off campus, as well as get an understanding of the surrounding city or area.
What are the most popular majors/programs?
Finding out what the school specializes in, or what is most popular, can give you an idea of what life will be like at the school and later on in your job search. This can also be what makes the school special, why it’s unique, and why you might be likely to attend.
What is (insert interest or favorite pastime here) like?
We all have that one thing that we love: sports, reading, gaming, or political or religious discussion and debate. Ask the admissions counselor how your interests or favorite pastimes are addressed at their school, and weigh it against others to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Remember, most colleges and universities will have things like financial aid, tuition and fees, residential buildings, and other empirical information easily accessible on their websites. Use the time with the admissions counselors to make that personal connection with the school which can’t be found on their website.
Choosing a major is not something to take lightly. Knowing exactly what you want to do after graduation and the kind of direction that gives is important and helpful. What if you don’t have this same sense of direction? Don’t worry, colleges around the country have students entering with undecided majors. However, North Park’s commitment to preparing you for a life of significance and service offers you many people and steps to follow so that you can find the perfect degree to make a difference.
Career and Development Office.
To get you started, our Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO) has many resources to help you choose the right major to fast-track you through North Park’s rigorous academic programs. They have everything from career counseling to a Career Planning Course for those who want to explore potential careers. Anyone in the CDIO office would also love to chat with you and answer any questions you have concerning your potential career.
Talk to your faculty advisor!
All North Park students are assigned a faculty advisor regardless of their major declaration status. Your advisors have also been through college, some of them were probably undecided at one point as well, or saw their life going in a different direction; they’ve experienced what you have. This is part of what makes student-faculty relationships so great; they are ready and available to answer any of your questions, or just to offer a listening ear.
Stop a student on campus.
Either during your visit or after you’ve enrolled in classes, you’ll find many current students on the green spaces around campus. Being a small university, the student body is tight-knit, open, and friendly. Chat with an upper-class student about how they chose their major.
North Park looks forward to the first semester of CRUX, an international, residential discipleship program for first-year Christian students.
As a new semester approaches, North Park looks forward to welcoming new students on campus and to the many ways they will contribute to the life and growth of the community. An exciting new aspect of campus community this year is CRUX, an international, residential discipleship program for first-year Christian students who desire to grow deeper and wider in their personal relationship with Christ.
The Director of CRUX, Marcus Hill, describes this discipleship model as “Doing Life” together. He also gives us a closer look at what that means big picture as well as in the daily life of CRUX students.
On CRUX Discipleship
“The CRUX program affirms the biblical scriptures and works to advance the Kingdom of God through a commitment to shared practices:
Intentional relational discipleship
Intentional personal discipleship
Practical Bible teaching
Creative opportunity for worship and service
Creating authentic community
The CRUX program affirms the biblical scriptures and works to advance the Kingdom of God. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all peoples. This starts for us at North Park University with making disciples of the next generation of college students. The way we make disciples is to instill in our students an unwavering belief in their identity in Christ. The world is bombarding students with empty promises with which to base their identity. The promise is that somehow the things of this world can fill the God-sized void in our heart. The gospel teaches something radically different–we aim to lead students into an understanding that hope and fulfillment are found in recognizing that sin separates us from God, and in accepting God’s grace through Christ we become rooted in our true identity that is found in Christ alone. The result of this will be a generation of college students who are marked by a faith that is filled with hope, power, and humility.
As a CRUX student, you will have the opportunity to connect with community leaders and other passionate students through organized events, attending church together, and giving back to the community. The unique aspect about CRUX is North Park believes that both discipleship and scholarship go together. So not only will you be discipled, you will receive academic credit towards your intended major. Over the one-year cohort, our goal is to equip students with the skills needed to strive as a Christian with integrity, the ability to articulate one’s faith, and confidence in sharing that faith with others.”
On the Day to Day Life of a CRUX Student
“On a weekly basis, students will:
Connect with and attend a local Evangelical Covenant Church
Share Sunday night dinner
Attend Bible study
Worship in Chapel service
Have daily devotions
Participate in service opportunities
In addition, CRUX students have the opportunity to:
Interact with community leaders through didactics
Attend retreats, local and international mission trips
Participate in the Experience of Sankofa
Each week, students will meet one-on-one with their Seminary Ministry Coach (SMC) to connect and check-in. The SMC is there to help you succeed. This one-on-one time can be used however the students wish–from praying, hanging out, or sharing an activity.
Once a month there will also be scheduled events that exist outside of campus and a less-work, more-play mentality. These events could be anything from a day at the beach, eating a Chicago-dog at Millennium Park, or taking in the fine arts of Chicago.”
Prepare with your high schooler for the next steps.
As a parent, it’s an excitedly sad time when your child is off to college. Most likely, they’re moving out of the house and living on their own for the first time. There are multiple things that you can do to help your new college student be prepared for this next great step in their life and to ease your own mind too.
Here are some things to do during your student’s upper-class years:
Meet with a high school guidance counselor to make sure that your student is on track with his or her course schedule.
Make a list of colleges that are of interest.
Plan a visit.
Narrow down the list of colleges to those that the student plans to apply to.
Keep a calendar of application/scholarship deadlines.
Begin applying.
Contact teachers, counselors, etc., for recommendations.
Request that transcripts and test scores be submitted to colleges where your student has applied.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Check application statuses online.
Contact the Office of Admissions with questions.
Wait for admission decisions to arrive by mail.
Celebrate!
Start packing; remember not to over pack, most dorms aren’t spacious, and if your child has or knows their roommate, have them coordinate what to bring.
There’s no better way to find out if a school is a good fit than to visit. Here are some tips on what to do when you visit a campus.
College fairs, checklists, and website research all help you prepare for college and assist in making an informed decision. While these are all great ways to get to know a university, visiting a school is an entirely different experience.
By visiting, you get a better understanding of the layout, you can ask students questions, and you can see if their facilities are right for studies that interest you. Visiting every school that you’re interested in is a great idea, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. Whether you’re visiting one or ten colleges, here are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your time there.
Set up a tour
Call ahead and set up a campus tour. It will likely take place with an admissions officer or a Student Ambassador. Some schools will also have preview days or group tours. North Park has certain days when students can take a campus tour and spend the night with a current student in a dorm; it’s a great way to ask the student questions and explore the surrounding neighborhood or city.
Never be afraid to ask lots of questions
Spend your time asking every question you can think of. The more information you get, the more informed your decision will be. And make sure you ask to see the places where you might spend most of your time: the gym, lab spaces, or the campus hot spot.
Get a feel for the environment
This will be your home for the next few years as you earn your degree. Use your visit to see how other students and professors interact with each other; then match your personality and desires against your experience there.
Take notes and pictures
Chances are, you’re looking at multiple colleges and universities, and it’s easy to get your memories mixed up. Notes and pictures will help you remember what you did and didn’t enjoy about the school.
Learn about the kind of impression you want to make when writing your personal essay for college applications.
The purpose of a personal essay is to position yourself as the prime candidate to be picked for admission.
Why are personal essays needed?
Personal essays allow the school to gauge you and your abilities on a non-academic basis. It is easy for us to see how well you’ve done in school, but personal essays provide a secondary window for the admissions counselors to get to know you better and gauge your potential to thrive. It helps to bring depth and understanding to a transcript, allowing you to offer more than your GPA and test scores.
What should I include in my essay?
Your personal essay should begin by capturing attention. This is where you make yourself stand out from the crowd. Tell us something unique about yourself! Expand on this and other parts of your story. A funny story is great, but keep it short. Finally, let the reader in on something important about yourself that they couldn’t glean from your application. Remember, the purpose of the essay is to show that you’re able to communicate well, and to help the reader understand you, your ambitions, and how you’d fit into the school’s environment. A well-structured and grammatically-correct essay will go a long way, but don’t fret over absolute perfection . . . this isn’t a thesis paper!
How long should the essay be?
As long as you feel you need to showcase yourself! However, multiple page essays generally contain more information than the admissions counselors need. Remember to highlight yourself and achievements in a thoughtful and deliberate way. A concise essay which clearly defines you is perfect!
Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Blog, Stories
