Plan Ahead
6 Tips to Help You Prepare for College
It’s never too early to start thinking about your education after high school. Here are six things you can be doing right now to set yourself up for success as you think about college and beyond.
1. Take the right classes
Admission to NAU (and other Arizona public universities) depends on your grades in the 14 high school required “core” classes. You are guaranteed admission if you have 3.0 or higher GPA in these core classes and no deficiencies; you will be considered with a 2.5 core GPA. Learn more about required high school courses.
2. Think about financing your education
This helpful checklist is a good place to start. Also, you can automatically qualify for some NAU merit scholarships based on your core GPA and in some cases test scores. It’s good to know the requirements for these awards and understand where you currently stand so you can set goals to work toward.
3. Take the ACT and/or SAT
NAU does not require either test for admission, but your scores can help you qualify for scholarships. You can take each test multiple times if you want to try and improve your scores. Be sure to provide NAU school code 0086 when taking the ACT or code 4006 when taking the SAT.
4. Explore majors
Start thinking about your interests and find out which interests are actually passions. Consider taking an online quiz like the “Major Matcher” on College Factual to help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, goals, and more. Then explore the degree offerings at the schools you’re considering to see if they align with your interests. At NAU, you can choose from nearly 100 bachelor’s degrees.
5. Enlist support
It’s important to have a support network to help you transition to university life and throughout your time in college. Talk to your parents, guidance counselors, teachers, family, and friends. Research what student support services are available at the colleges you’re considering. NAU offers dozens of campus resources to ensure your academic and personal success.
6. Visit campus
The best way to get a feel for college life and see if NAU might be the right school for you is to visit our beautiful campus. If you can’t make it here in person, our online virtual tour is the next best thing!
Questions?
Give us a call at 928-523-5511 or email admissions@nau.edu