- How do I get scholarship information?
- How do I qualify for financial aid?
- What do I need to do to make a college visit?
- Do I need to take the SAT?
- When should I start looking at colleges?
- What is PSEO?
- What is the difference between the ACT and the SAT?
- How often can a student take the ACT?
- When should a student take the ACT or SAT?
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How do I get scholarship information?
Most scholarships come from the school to which you are applying. This is the
reason why it is important to get the college application into the college
relatively early (by Thanksgiving). The guidance office can provide
information about local scholarships which take place primarily in the spring.
A scholarship list is provided on this web page and in the guidance office
newsletter.
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How do I qualify for financial aid?
In January, after the parents' taxes have been completed, families are to file
the financial aid form call the FAFSA. The FAFSA is available online (see
links) or a paper copy is available in the guidance office. If you have any
questions, contact the college to which you are applying.
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What do I need to do to make a college visit?
First, contact the college/university you plan to visit and schedule an
appointment. Second, fill out the college day paper available in the guidance
office. NU juniors and seniors are allowed up to two college days per year.
College Days are excused absences that do not count against TAD. After the
visit, you must bring evidence to the guidance office (a letter from
admissions) stating that you were there. Failure to do this will remove a
student from TAD and count as an unexcused absence.
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Do I need to take the SAT?
All Ohio colleges accept the ACT as a college entrance exam. Although some
schools prefer the SAT, the ACT is accepted at all but nine universities in
the country. Taking the SAT is a personal choice depending on the college the
student is expecting to attend. Most NU students take the ACT. The ACT tends
to be more content based, while the SAT is more analytical thinking.
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When should I start looking at colleges?
During a student's freshman and sophomore years he/she should be doing some
exploring. All colleges have web pages and the NU library has OCIS (Ohio
Career Information System). These are good places to look at different kinds
of careers and majors at colleges. During the junior year, students can make
two college visits and should do this either during the school year or the
summer. During the senior year the student should be narrowing choices down on
the colleges in which they are interested and apply to 3-5 colleges. Students
should have a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C.
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What is PSEO?
PSEO, post-secondary educational option, is a program designed for high school
juniors and seniors to take college courses. Most NU students take courses at
Marion Tech or Ohio State-Marion. We will have a meeting in February or
early March to go over all of the requirements. This meeting is mandatory for
any student wishing to participate in PSEO. There is no cost to the student;
however the grades and credits then count on the high school record.
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What is the difference between the ACT and the SAT?
Test Purpose:
ACT- designed to measure academic achievement in the areas of English,
mathematics, reading, and science reasoning.
SAT- designed to measure academic aptitude in verbal and numeric reasoning.
Method of Scoring:
ACT- scores are based on the number of correct answers; no penalty for
guessing.
SAT- scores adjusted for guessing or wrong answers.
Student Information:
ACT- offers a comprehensive student profile section, which consists of an
educational and career planning component, ACT Interest Inventory, and World-
of-Work map.
SAT- offers a student descriptive questionnaire.
Common Uses:
ACT - Admissions (accepted by most, but not all, colleges and universities,
freshman course placement decisions, academic advising, talent identification
to awarding course credit, and awarding scholarships.
SAT - admission (accepted by most, not all, colleges and universities),
academic advising, talent identification.
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How often can a student take the ACT?
Students may take the ACT as often as they wish. Many students take the test
twice, once as a junior, and again as a senior. There are no limitations on
how many times a student can retest. Students should definitely consider
retesting if:
1. The student had any problems during the test, such as misunderstanding the
directions.
2. The student did not feel physically well.
3. The student had feelings of anxiety because of unfamiliarity with the test
process.
4. The student is not satisfied that scores accurately represent abilities in
the areas tested.
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When should a student take the ACT or SAT?
In most cases, students should take the ACT for the first time in the spring
(April or June) of their junior year of high school. This gives them
flexibility in scheduling retests and meeting college and scholarship
deadlines. It also allows colleges time to respond to a student's expressed
interest in them so that the student has more information with which to make
a final college choice.
