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Minnesota Private College Week frequently asked questions

Q: What makes MPCW different from other campus visit opportunities?
A: This is a great introduction to your private college options. With short sessions scheduled at the same time at all of our campuses, we make it easy for you to schedule several visits over the week. Running about two hours, these sessions are also shorter than the typical open houses that our colleges organize individually. That’s what makes MPCW a good place to start your college search.

Q: Is MPCW only for seniors?
A: No — whether you’ll be a senior, junior or sophomore in the fall, MPCW can be worthwhile. If you are starting to think more about your college options, you would benefit from these short campus visits.

  • For the class of 2013, if you haven’t started yet, now is the time to jumpstart your search; MPCW is the perfect tool to help you figure out just what you are looking for in a college.
  • For the classes of 2012 and 2011, if you are starting to think more about your college options, using MPCW to gather your own first-hand impressions will help you as well.

We ask you to let us know what year you’ll be graduating from high school when you register for MPCW; that way we can be sure to address the particular information needs you may have.

Q: Do I need to register for Minnesota Private College Week (MPCW)?
A: Registration is highly recommended. It helps our campuses better prepare for the number of students expected to be at each visit. You can register online; It's quick and easy.

Q: Do I need to call each of the colleges individually to register?
A: No, just register online, or call our offices and we can register for you over the phone. 1-800-PRI-COLL (1-800-774-2655). When you register online, we send the registration information to each of the colleges and universities that you register to attend.

Q: How should I decide which colleges to visit during MPCW?
A: You could start with some research.

  • The short profiles of all 17 institutions may be a good starting point; these profiles include links to the colleges’ own Web sites if you want to dig further.
  • Our colleges offer a huge array of programs; if you have an area of interest and you want to see which colleges offer degrees in related fields, you can search our majors and degrees listing.

And don’t worry, you can’t go wrong. The important thing is to start visiting some campuses. It will help you better imagine just what you are looking for as your college search advances.

Q: Why should I consider private colleges?
A: A private college could be the best fit for you, one that will help prepare you for future success. The knowledge and skills you gain at one of Minnesota’s private colleges are exactly what employers are seeking.

And we’re affordable too. In fact, if your family is like 92% of our students, your tuition bill will be reduced by financial aid that you will never have to pay back.

So keep us in mind. As you move forward with your college search, you’ll want to carefully consider attending one of Minnesota’s private colleges.

Q: Are all private colleges in Minnesota a part of this event?
A: Minnesota Private College Week is a collaborative event of the 17 private colleges and universities who belong to the Minnesota Private College Council. There are other private colleges in Minnesota, but they are not a part of this event.

Q: Can I make appointments to visit with people on campus?
A: This varies by campus. Some campuses do not facilitate individual appointments with professors, coaches or other people during MPCW, others do. Please contact the campus directly for more information.


Q: Can I visit schools before or after MPCW?
A: You are welcome to visit campuses anytime (contact admission offices to schedule a visit), but Minnesota Private College Week is a special promotion of the 17 private colleges and universities, offered only one week each year.

Q: Can my parents attend MPCW?
A: Absolutely! Parents are welcome to attend MPCW, even if their son or daughter can't make it.

Q: Can we stay in on-campus housing for the night?
A: Sorry, but no. We realize you may be coming from a great distance to attend the event, however, we cannot make campus housing available for students and their families. Contact the admission offices on the campus you wish to visit for a list of accommodations in the area.

Q: What if I am on campus for a camp during MPCW?
A: Simply being on campus is not enough to give you the same information you would gain by attending the information session and campus tour. If you will be on campus for a camp, you may participate in MPCW if your schedule and camp director allow.

What if I want more information than I’m finding on the Web site? Feel free to contact the Minnesota Private College Council office by calling 800-PRI-COLL or e-mailing colleges@mnprivatecolleges.org. Our Facebook page is another good option. Here you can find some recent updates and add your own queries. 
Our colleges
Augsburg College
  • Located in Minneapolis with abundant opportunities to gain experience both inside and outside the classroom.
  • National recognition for an effective first-year program and for combining learning with service.
  • Top majors are business, science, teaching
  • A diverse community of 3,000 students
Bethany Lutheran College
  • Located in Mankato overlooking the Minnesota River Valley
  • A community of 540 students -- most live on campus
  • Popular majors include business administration, communication, psychology, and elementary education
  • Focus is on a solid, Christian education
Bethel University
  • Located on a residential, wooded campus in a Twin Cities suburb
  • Enrolls 5,600 students in 100 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs
  • Integrates faith, learning and the translation of Christian belief into global service
  • 20 international programs; top 3 percent ranking of students who study in foreign countries
Carleton College
  • Residential campus in the small community of Northfield
  • Ranked one of the country's top liberal arts colleges
  • Noted for its bright and talented students and strong faculty
  • Enrollment of 2,000 students of diverse backgrounds
College of Saint Benedict
  • Together with Saint John's -- 3,800 undergraduate students have many opportunities
  • Located on 3,200 acres of woods and lakes west of St. Cloud
  • A focus on globalism includes an extensive international study program
  • A commitment to experiential learning, research and internships
St. Catherine University
  • Largest and most comprehensive Catholic college for women in the U.S.
  • Beautiful campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis
  • Committed to meeting the educational needs of women of all ages; offers liberal arts, healthcare and professional programs in traditional and weekend formats
  • Serves 5,000 students
College of St. Scholastica
  • Main campus in Duluth; also in St. Paul, St. Cloud, Brainerd
  • Undergraduate and graduate programs in traditional, accelerated and online formats
  • Top majors: Health information management, management, education, nursing
  • 3,200 students; 1,940 undergraduates on Duluth campus
  • U.S. News ranking in top tier of Midwestern universities
Concordia College
  • Located in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area that includes 20,000+ college students
  • Serves more than 2,700 students
  • Top programs include the sciences, education and music
  • Recipient of NAFSA Simon Award for Campus Internationalization
  • Home of world-renowned Concordia Language Villages
Concordia University
  • Located in the St. Paul metro area
  • Serves 1,500 undergraduate and 300 graduate students of all ages and backgrounds
  • Top majors include Christian education, business and teacher education
  • A laptop university with 24/7 Web access
Gustavus Adolphus College
  • Oldest Lutheran college in Minnesota; Swedish heritage; home of the Nobel Conference
  • Beautiful residential campus located in St. Peter, overlooking the Minnesota River Valley
  • Prepares 2,500 undergraduates for lives of leadership, service and lifelong learning
  • Recognized science, writing, music, athletics, study-abroad, and service-learning programs
Hamline University
  • Ranked first in Minnesota among comprehensive universities according to U.S. News
  • 4,400 undergraduate, graduate, and law students
  • Located in residential neighborhood of St. Paul
  • Intimate environment of small classes and personal attention along with the opportunities of a comprehensive university
Macalester College
  • 1,900 undergraduates come from every state and 90 countries
  • Located in a friendly St. Paul neighborhood
  • Emphasis on global perspectives; more than half study abroad
  • Produced many Fulbright and Rhodes scholars
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
  • 700 students; 14 majors in fine arts, media and design
  • Located next to the Children's Theater and Minneapolis Institute of Arts
  • Studio-based and business-oriented programs; BFA, BS and MFA degrees
  • Only art and design school to be named a Best Midwestern College by Princeton Review
Saint John's University
  • Together with Saint Benedict -- 3,800 undergraduate students have many opportunities
  • Located on 3,200 acres of woods and lakes west of St. Cloud.
  • A focus on globalism includes an extensive international study program
  • A commitment to experiential learning, research, internships
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
  • Values-based, results-oriented education in the Catholic, Lasallian tradition
  • Outstanding environment for learning, living and recreation
  • 400-acre Winona campus in the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley
  • 1,300 traditional undergraduates, with 4,100 graduate and professional students at other locations
St. Olaf College
  • Environmentally aware, 300-acre residential campus in historic Northfield
  • 3,000 students; top majors are music, mathematics and the sciences
  • Nation's top liberal arts college for study abroad
  • College of the Lutheran church -- where conversations about faith are part of daily life
University of St. Thomas
  • Minnesota's largest private university with 10,500 students (5,500 undergraduates)
  • 95 undergraduate majors
  • Main campuses located in a stately St. Paul neighborhood and in downtown Minneapolis (other campuses in Owatonna, Minn. and Rome, Italy)