Northwood University - Michigan

This expensive, conservative, for-profit institution provides very little career placement help (if any) for graduates, and most employers do not care about Northwood or even know it exists so you get no leg up in the industry of your degree. Most classes were capitalist propaganda with the exception of my capstone classes that actually encouraged ethics, criticisms of free market enterprise, and sustainability. Took me 5 years post-graduation to find a job I could survive on and it was in a completely... Read More different industry than my major, and honestly my degree didn't even matter to the employer. Despite my career struggles, Northwood CONSTANTLY called and mailed me begging for donations and support as if I even had disposable income. I felt very alienated as a commuting transfer student, and felt my money was being wasted everyday.

I was surprised when I started my courses at how different the actual environment has been compared to how the university portrays itself. Onboarding was a breeze and I felt very seen, but once I was accepted as a student and had paid my tuition, it felt like a total money grab.

Once they had my payment, every question became an obstacle. Problems arose with multiple things -- tuition, grading, financial aid, whatever, things I had not experienced whatsoever at my undergrad university. Advisors seemed... Read More confused on information and had to defer questions often to verify what Northwood processes were. My tuition payment was more than what was listed on the university website -- when I inquired, I was written off multiple times. I finally reached out to someone in accounting and they discovered I had been overcharged by 10% of my tuition. Receiving the refund was confusing, as my advisor told me it would arrive one way and it came a different route months later. I also had a discrepancy with my grades -- the posted did not seem to match the actual grades that my professor had been uploading into the grade book, but they lock all courses and you cannot view content after the semester. When I asked if someone can verify the posted grade, they told me they would not and that there's nothing that can be done. Seems strange that they would limit the educational content that I paid (110%) for.

The applications team is wonderful and welcoming, but once you're in, they'll write you off as another number.

Northwood University helped shape who I am not just in the career that I am going into but also who I am as a person. Northwood is very hands on, there are opportunities everywhere, and you really get what you pay for. I was not incredibly involved in high school but once I started going to Northwood, I wanted to be involved in everything. I held several leadership positions on campus from President of my sorority to being a Team Captain for the Northwood University International Auto Show. I was... Read More able to learn leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom that I used in internships and that I will be using as I am opening my own business. I highly suggest looking into Northwood University if you are business minded or a leader and want to develop yourself! Northwood also helped greatly when it came to finances and ensuring all students have a good opportunity at a great education, regardless of your financial situation. The networking opportunities are also out of this world!

I transfered to a satallite location for this school after receiving my associates degree from a local community college. The program I entered is primarily geared towards adults who work and members of the military. Much of the credits that I earned for my associates degree wouldn't transfer to a major school. Northwood not only accepted the most credit transfers, the admissions department also provided life experience earned credits.This allowed me to enter the program as a Junior transfer. Other... Read More schools were telling me I would basically start over with 9-12 credits that would transfer. I took 80% of my degree program online, and 20% in class on a local military base. The classes were structured for working adults. They were held at night or your were given timelines for online assignments that you could work into your life. Since the school is private, the school follows a flat rat pricing schedule. It is one price per class in person and a slightly higher price for classes online (no hidden fees). For a working adult that wants to attend a school for low cost, this is the school; especially if you qualify for Pell Grants, or want a business degree. I rented the vast majority of my books and often spent less than $200 per semester on books. Note, many of the online professors are in Michigan or Texas. The workload is heavy as the instructors must ensure that you cover all the objectives by the end of the term (8 or 16 weeks). There is a lot of homework assigned for the online classes which can demand up to three times the credit hours of your tiee to complete the work each week. Northwood does help with job placement, if you work within their system, they won't just get you a job cause you went to the school. This can be testified by the number of alumni who work worldwide. I worked with two alumni at my job before I started going to the school who spoke highly of the school. The school offers Associates, Bachalors, and Post Graduate degrees and financial aid. Pros: Scheduling, inexpensive, and great help from staff and instructors, Very Military Friendly Cons: Slow to refund overpayments/financial aid (usually third week of session), lot of homework (not really a con unless you are work adverse) The one thing i wish I had done differently at the school, was to take more classes in person. I would attend again if I had to start over.