NEWS RELEASE

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

3/12/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Northwestern State University recently held its most successful Spring Senior Day/Credit Connection programs recently with almost 800 prospective students and parents attending, according to Director of Admissions and Recruiting Jana Lucky.

The number of prospective students increased by 70.8 percent as 475 students took part in activities. Last year, 278 high school seniors attended. Parent attendance was 312 up from 193 last year, an increase of 61.7 percent. Overall attendance was up 67.1 percent.

"This is our crowning visitation day," said Lucky. "The students who attend Spring Senior Day are highly interested in attending Northwestern."

According to Lucky, an average of 68 percent of those who come to Spring Senior Day enroll at NSU.

"The attendance was great and we received a great deal of cooperation during the time we planned the event and on Spring Senior Day," said Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruiting Martha Hooper, who organized the day of events. "We were able to give high school students a good idea of what life at Northwestern is like."

Those attending met with representatives of academic departments and the financial aid office. Students and parents also went to separate panel discussions which answered questions about college life.

"We work year round to make sure high school students are aware of Northwestern and what it has to offer," said Lucky. "Our staff tries to visit every high school in Louisiana. We also keep in touch with students though letters, phone calls and e-mail. Our objective is to let them know that the Northwestern family cares about them and wants to make sure they know this is the place in which they will have the best possible college experience."

The high school seniors who attended could also earn college credit by taking an Advanced Standing Examination. Two hundred and eighteen tests were taken in seven subjects, according to Director of Testing Barbara Gillis.

Tests were given in English 1010 and 1020, French 1010, Spanish 1010, Math 1020, and Science 1010 and 1020. Students with ACT scores of at least 25 or SAT scores of at least 1130 were eligible to take the exam. Those who made qualifying scores will receive credit on their college transcript once they enroll at Northwestern. Gillis said Northwestern is the only university to provide the examinations at no charge.

"Credit Connection provides a number of advantages for the student and their parents," said Gillis. "The test experience is helpful. Even if they do not make the required score, the students get a good idea of what college tests are like. If they earn credit, the students are able to save money which allows them to complete their education in less time or take electives which can be beneficial."

Tuition and fees for a three-hour course at NSU is $376.95.

Hooper said campus food service operator ARAMARK and staff from Northwestern's Office of Residential Life and Financial Aid helped make senior day a success.

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