How to Apply to the Louisiana Scholars' College

Applying to Scholars' is an easy, but very thorough, process. That's because we want to know as much about you as possible in order to determine whether Scholars' College is right for you, and whether you're right for the College. Use the outline below as a checklist to make sure you get everything to us!

1. Get an application. You have several options:

Download the forms now.
Fill out an online request.
Email us.
Call our toll free number (800-838-2208) and request an application packet. We do work long hours, but if no one's here when you call, please leave us a message. (We will need your name and mailing address, of course!)

2. Complete the application as thoroughly as possible.

Include your school and extracurricular activities.
Don't forget employment and hobbies.
Tell us about your awards and honors.
You may include a resume if you prefer.

3. Write your essay.

In an essay of about 500-1000 words compare and contrast yourself to a figure from a major literary work (in other words, a figure the admissions committee will be familiar with) OR describe in detail a special interest, significant experience or achievement that has special meaning to you.
Watch for misspellings (and spell check errors), misused words, and sentence fragments.
You may email us your essay as a Word attachment if that's more convenient for you.

4. Include the application fee.

There is a $20 fee for processing your application.
Please make checks or money orders payable to Northwestern State University and include the applicant's name on the check.
If you have already applied to NSU and paid the fee, please note this on your application. You only have to pay once, but we cannot process your application until we have your fee.

5. Give the recommendation form to a teacher or your gudance counselor.

We prefer recommendations from academic classes (in other words, not the band director or keyboarding teacher).
Please have him or her fill out the front and back thoroughly.
Attached letters of recommendation are welcome as well, but please ask them to fill out the checklist also.
Recommenders can mail the form directly to us, fax it to 318-357-5908, or may give it back to you to send with your application.
You may send more than one if you wish. (Photocopy the form.)

6. Ask your guidance counselor to send a copy of your high school transcript including any ACT or SAT scores reported to your school.

Admission decisions are based on unweighted GPA in the TOPS curriculum at the time of the application.
The guidance counselor information may be mailed, faxed, or given back to you.

7. Have official ACT or SAT scores sent to NSU.

For admissions purposes we will accept any copy of your scores (from the testing service): an official copy submitted to NSU, the student report, high school report, or transcript stickers.
Scholarships and enrollment require official copies of scores.
NSU's ACT code is 1600; our SAT code is 6492.

8. Schedule the Interview.

Interviews may be completed in person at Scholars' Day or during a campus visit.
If you won't be visiting for a while, we can arrange your interview by telephone.
The interview will be conducted by a faculty member and should take about 10-15 minutes.
We will contact you once we have your essay. If you are very active and difficult to contact, please give us a call or email us to facilitate this process.

Now it's our turn. Once we have all the parts of your application, we will schedule...

The Admissions Committee Meeting:

Faculty and the Director of the College will review your information, discusses your strengths and weaknesses, and reach a decision concerning your acceptance.
Within two weeks after we receive the last part of your file we will notify you of our decision.
Scholarship awards are made on a rolling basis and follow the admission decision, usually within a week.
The Committee generally meets once a week.
It's to your advantage both for scholarships and to have a place in the College to get your application in as early as possible.
We are now accepting applications for Fall 2006.

We look forward to meeting you and talking with you about Scholars'. And hey, tell your friends about us!