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Excited to meet other new students prior to Wildcat Welcome? Interested in starting off your Northwestern career with a meaningful experience?

Pre-Wildcat Welcome Programs provide opportunities for you to meet new friends and become better connected with the Northwestern community before the official Wildcat Welcome orientation program begins.  More information will be e-mailed regarding these programs over the summer.

Programs Sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI)

Alternative Student Break

Alternative Student Breaks is a service-learning organization that sends Northwestern students to volunteer at non-profits acrossthe country. ASB seeks to involve, educate and heighten students' social awareness and strives to encourage lifelong civic engagement. Each trip highlights a different issue, and participants have the opportunity to do work that ranges from teaching English to newly-arrived immigrants to staging a get-out-the-vote campaign. No matter the issue they work with, participants build close relationships with their group and their upperclassmen site leaders. After spending a week exploring and serving in one of seven Midwestern locations with their small group, students meet up with all the other ASB participants in Chicago, where they'll spend a day discovering the opportunities for fun and service that the city has to offer. Following an unforgettable week, students immediately become part of the ASB community, a dynamic group with a year-round presence and continued opportunities for leadership and service.

• September 7-15
• Cost: $205
• Register for ASB here
• Deadline: July 6

CATalyst

CATalyst, held at a retreat center in Michigan, is an innovative and inspiring leadership development program for incoming students. Our program encourages participants to step outside their comfort zone through "challenge by choice" activities. Experiences on CATalyst will develop effective group communication skills, increase self-awareness through guided reflection, and foster teambuilding through small group development. We dedicate one day to a high ropes course and low ropes challenges in an effort to encourage students to problem solve while earning the trust of their peers. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop authentic mentor relationships with upper-classmen counselors. CATalyst is designed to equip students with the tools and insight they need to grow and succeed at Northwestern.

• September 12-16
• Cost: $250
• Register for CATalyst here
• Deadline: July 11

Freshman Urban Program (FUP)

The Freshmen Urban Program is an introduction to the neighborhoods within Chicago and Evanston. The program examines the issues that face these communities, the organizations that serve them and the means by which Northwestern students can effect change. FUP employs the theory of Asset-Based Community Development in teaching participants about issues as varied as housing, education, health care, politics, gentrification and community organizing. FUP is a Pre-Wildcat Welcome activity open to all incoming freshmen and transfer students. During this five day program, participants will stay in a youth hostel in Chicago's Loop area. From there they will be dispatched to volunteer at community centers, urban schools, homeless shelters and advocacy organizations throughout the city. Northwestern faculty and various community leaders will lead discussions on a variety of issues facing urban communities.

• September 10-16
• Cost: $200
• Register for FUP here
• Deadline: July 11

Project Wildcat

Project Wildcat is a week-long wilderness backpacking program designed to build leadership and teamwork skills through experiential learning. Practicing "leave no trace" environmental principles, groups of eight incoming freshmen - each led by two trained upperclassmen counselors - hike through several of the nation's beautiful national parks. Project Wildcat is a fun opportunity to enter into Northwestern life with a heightened sense of confidence, a week full of fantastic memories, and a good bunch of new friends. A week spent enjoying the wilderness allows you to take a step back and get to know yourself and your group before being immersed in the hustle and bustle of your exciting new life at Northwestern.

• September 8-15
• Cost: $295
• Register for Project Wildcat here
• Deadline: July 11

Programs Sponsored by the  Sheil Catholic Center

First Night at Sheil Catholic Center

Sheil Catholic Center is the heart of Catholic life at Northwestern, and all incoming students are welcome to be part of the Sheil community. First Night at Sheil is an activity-filled overnighter packed into the 14 hours before Wildcat Welcome and is an ideal way to meet other new students and returning students eager to make you feel at home. After First Nighters get acquainted and have dinner together, they participate in a photo shoot,
enjoy a bonfire on the lakeside campus, paint the Rock (a favorite Northwestern tradition), find out about Sheil involvement opportunities,
and hear returning students share need-to-know information about starting out at Northwestern. After a good night’s sleep at the Sheil Center, you’ll rejoin your parents to start moving into your student residence.

• September 14-15
• Cost: Free
• E-mailing Tim Higgins or register through this form
• Deadline: August 31

Programs Sponsored by the Louis and Saerree Fiedler Hillel Center

Hillel Freshman Fest

Fielder Hillel - the vibrant core of Jewish life at Northwestern and headquarters for more than 15 Jewish student groups - invites you to join its 16th annual Freshman Fest, an overnight celebration of your arrival on campus and an opportunity to get your feet wet before plunging into Wildcat Welcome. Starting the afternoon before move-in day, you'll join other incoming and returning students at Hillel in activities that will lead to new friendships, feed your appetite for fun and food, and satisfy your curiosity about many facets of Northwestern student life. You'll have the inside scoop on how to enjoy the social scene on campus, become involved in sports or Greek life, get into the most sought-after courses, and take full advantage of campus life!

• September 14-15
• Cost: $36
• Register for Hillel Freshman Fest
• Deadline: August 31
• E-mail hillel@northwestern.edu | 847-467-4455