MARYVILLE, Mo. –More than 1,400 freshman and nearly 300 transfer students will make their way onto the Northwest Missouri State University Campus this week.

As the official start of its 2015-2016 academic year nears, Northwest will welcome freshmen and transfer students to its campus Thursday, Aug. 27.

The day also marks the kickoff of Advantage, an annual orientation program designed to help first-year students get acquainted with other Northwest students, learn about the campus and enjoy some entertainment before fall classes begin, Monday, Aug. 31.

Northwest projects a total headcount of more than 6,600 students this fall. All enrollment numbers are preliminary until the University’s official censu

s occurs Monday, Sept. 28.

The Advantage schedule includes times for new students to pick up their Northwest laptops, textbooks and Bearcat Cards as well as attend University Seminar classes, library tours and presentations geared toward helping them understand what they can expect during their first year at Northwest.

The weekend culminates Sunday, Aug. 30, when the first-year students gather at 2:45 p.m. in Bearcat Arena for the annual Convocation, which is followed by the March to the Tower and a tree dedication. At 8:30 p.m. the University hosts its annual back-to-school fireworks display at College Park.