NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

5/20/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES ­High school students from around north and central Louisiana learned about new admissions standards for state universities at the first R U Ready Day held Friday at Northwestern State University. The program was sponsored by NSU's Office of University Recruiting.
The event gave students, who will be high school sophomores next year, information about the admissions standards, which take effect this fall and how they can prepare for them. Students were chosen to attend by their guidance counselor or principal based on their leadership skills and learning ability.

"Your job will be to get the word out to your fellow students and get them on the right track," Northwestern President Dr. Randall J. Webb told the group. "We want you and your classmates to aspire not to just meet the admissions standards, but to qualify for TOPS (the Tuition Opportunity Program Scholarship) at the highest level possible. If you can do that, it will indicate that you went the extra mile by doing your homework, attending class and taking care of business."

Under the new standards, for full admission, first-time freshmen must have completed the Louisiana Board of Regents' high school core curriculum. They must also need no more than one developmental course. In addition, the student must also meet one of the following criteria: a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.0, or have a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or 940 on the SAT, or rank in the top 50% of their high school graduating class. To be considered a first-time freshman, a student must have no more than 12 credit hours. This criteria also applies to first-time freshmen who are between the ages of 21 and 24 and home-schooled students.

RU Ready Day is part of a campaign initiated by the University of Louisiana System to prepare high school students for their future. Northwestern has been working to inform prospective students and their parents about admissions requirements, which take effect this fall.

Students who attended indicated that they were aware of the new admissions standards and the program gave them a variety of information they could share with fellow students.

"Attending helped me a lot," said Katie Thomas, a student at Rosepine High School. "The information about scholarships and deadlines was good to know. Student can't wait until they are seniors to prepare for college. They have to make the grades and get involved in activities. That will help them get scholarships."
R U Ready Day gave students details on requirements to attend any Louisiana university. The participants also learned about academic programs and activities at NSU.

"This makes me more eager to attend college," said Colleen Whitehead, a student at St. Mary's High School in Natchitoches. "I know a lot more than before I came. They explained things to me in a way that I can pass it along to others."

Students were invited from area high schools including Block, Converse, Evans, Florien, Grant, Lakeview, Leesville, Many, Natchitoches Central, Negreet, Rosepine, St. Mary's, Winnfield and Zwolle.

For additional information go to: http://www.rureadyinfo.net

Main Menu