Planning

Get Ready to Explore the Wilderness

Let’s make sure you have everything you need to get ready for your course.

Tips for Applying

Remember these things to make applying for your course go smoothly:

1. Once you apply, use your Dashboard to keep track of your forms and due dates. All of the important information and steps to applying can be found there.
    
2. Apply for financial aid by following the instructions on your Dashboard.
    
3. Apply for academic credit by following the instructions on your Dashboard.
    
4. Make travel plans: 
   • Check the travel requirements in your course’s Travel & Logistics document for things like flight information and visa requirements
   • Consider tuition protection and travel insurance to protect your investment and guard against unforeseen circumstances.
      
5. Start an exercise routine: 
   • You don’t need to be an athletic superstar for your course, but regular exercise helps for the long days of activity on an expedition
      
6. Prepare to unplug:
   • Start letting friends and family know that, on your course, you won’t have access to technology. That’s right—no phones, drones, or anything in between (though you can bring an e-reader without internet connectivity).
      
7. Organize your gear: 
   • Most of our locations are able to offer a variety of equipment you can rent, so you don’t always have to bring your own. Check your course’s Equipment List to see what’s available from NOLS and what you can bring on your own.
      
8. Start your journey! We can’t wait to meet you. 

Academic Credit

More than 400 colleges and universities nationwide accept college and high school credit earned on a NOLS course—up to 27 hours for an academic year. 

Once you start your application, you can also begin working on getting academic credit for your course.