NEWS RELEASE

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

3/14/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Northwestern State University had record attendance at its main recruiting events as more than 1,900 people attended the Fall and Spring Senior Day and Credit Connection, according to director of admissions and recruiting Jana Lucky.

Attendance at the events increased by 80 percent as 1,906 prospective students and parents took part in the events as compared to 1,060 last year. The number of students taking part in Credit Connection increased 58 percent over last year.

Among prospective students, 65 percent of those who attend with Fall Senior Day, Spring Senior Day or Credit Connection enroll at Northwestern.

"Students are more interested in the personalized approach provided at Northwestern," said Lucky. "They hear from our recruiters through letters and e-mails. Once they enroll, each student receives that same level of personal attention from our faculty and staff."

Lucky said staff in the Office of Admissions and Recruiting has encouraged students to visit NSU's campus as they are making their college choice.

"Our campus and the city of Natchitoches help us in our efforts to attract student," said Lucky. "We have a good environment that attracts people."

There are many advantages for students who make a campus visit and attend major recruiting events, according to assistant director of admissions and recruiting April Jordan.

"We offer students the opportunity to take care of a number of things at one time including housing," said Jordan. "They also have an opportunity to get financial aid information and find out how to apply. That convenience is very important. We get a great deal of cooperation from all areas of the university which is invaluable."

Jordan said students are attracted to NSU because of the opportunities to obtain an outstanding education and become involved in meaningful extracurricular activities.

"Northwestern is the only public university with 100 percent accreditation of eligible academic programs, so that speaks to the quality of academics," said Jordan. "We also offer a number of opportunities for growth and development outside the classroom which are important when our graduates seek to enter the workforce."

There was also an increase in students taking tests at NSU's Credit Connection. According to director of testing Barbara Gillis, 230 high school students took Advanced Standing Examinations which can result in credit being posted on the student's college transcript. Students with ACT scores of at least 25 or SAT scores of at least 1130 were eligible to take the exams.

"The idea of earning college credit is very appealing to both students and parents," said Gillis. "We are getting more outstanding students who realize the value of getting credit."

Northwestern is the only institution in Louisiana to offer the Advanced Standing Examinations available at no cost. Credit Connection is the only opportunity to take t he exams for free.

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