College & Career Development

All applications should be completed and submitted online:

• Wisconsin Technical Colleges: www.wtcsystem.edu
• Wisconsin Public 2 year and 4 year schools: www.apply.wisconsin.edu
• Wisconsin Private Colleges: www.wisconsinprivatecolleges.org
• Minnesota Public 2 year and 4 year schools: https://www.minnstate.edu/admissions/index.html
• Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org
• Other campus specific applications

Send your official ACT or SAT score to each school that you apply! 

• If you did not have your ACT or SAT scores sent directly to the institutions when you took the exam, you can order the scores at www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.com for an additional fee. 
• Scores have to be sent directly from ACT or SAT. Oshkosh North will NOT send out these scores.

Transcript Requests:

• Current students (and Alumni) can request their high school transcript to be sent to colleges/employers
  • Students request transcripts electronically at www.parchment.com by registering and paying a per transcript fee.

Universities set their own, individual requirements for admission and those requirements can vary significantly. Admission requirements even vary from university to university within Wisconsin. Students planning on applying to college should check the admission requirements and plan their educational program very carefully with their school counselor.

General Two & Four Year University Entrance Requirements

Subject Area	Minimum Credits Needed
English	4.0 Credits
Math	3.0 Credits (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2)
Science	3.0 Credits (with Lab)
Social Studies	3.0 Credits
Academic Electives	4.0 Credits
Total	17.0 Academic Credits (UW System Minimum)

**Note: Some colleges require 2 consecutive years of  the same World Language**

General Technical College Entrance Requirements:

Subject Area	Minimum Credits Needed
English	4.0 Credits
Math	3.0 Credits
Science	3.0 Credits
Social Studies	3.0 Credits
Academic Electives	4.0 Credits
Total	17.0 Academic Credits

What is a Brag Sheet?

During junior or senior year, you may ask teachers and staff to make recommendations for universities, technical colleges, military, scholarships, employment, etc.  In order to make your recommendation letter more personal and meaningful, it is important that others get to know as much as they can about you.  

When asking counselors, teachers, coaches, administration for letters of recommendations, please make sure to give AT LEAST 2 weeks notice! 

Please fill out the following electronic “Brag Sheet/Letter of Recommendation Request”. 

Go ahead and brag!! This is not the place to be modest! The more information you share, the better the letter! 

Complete the electronic Letter of Recommendation Request Form and save your responses to share with the adult who is writing your letter! 

Tips for Writing an Essay

• Write about yourself
  • A great history paper on the Civil War might be very well written, but it doesn’t tell me anything about the writer. Regardless of the topic, make sure you shine through your essay.
• Use your own voice
  • I can tell the difference between the voice of a 40-year-old and a high school senior.
• Focus on one aspect of yourself
  • If you try to cover too many topics in your essay, you’ll end up with a resume of activities and attributes that doesn’t tell me much about you as an in-depth look at one project or passion.
• Be genuine
  • Don’t try to impress me, because I’ve heard it all. Just tell me what’s important to you.
• Consider a mundane topic
  • Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make the best essays. Some of my favorites have included essays that reflect on the daily subway ride to school, of what the family goldfish observes from the fishbowl perched on the family kitchen table. It doesn’t have to be a life-changing event to be interesting and informative.
• Don’t rely on “how to” books
  • Use them to get your creative juices flowing, but don’t adhere too rigidly to their formulas, and definitely don’t use their example topics. While there are always exceptions, the “what my room says about me” essay is way overdone.
• Share your opinions
  • Avoid opinions on anything too risky or controversial. Your essay will be read by a diverse group of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, so try to appeal to the broadest audience possible.
• Tell a good story
  • Show me why you are compassionate; don’t tell me you are. Show me that you have to overcome great difficulty; don’t start your essay with “I have overcome great difficulties.”
• Don’t repeat what is already in your application
  • If you go to a performing arts school and all of your extracurricular activities and awards relate to dance, don’t write about how much you love dancing. Tell me something I couldn’t know just from reading the other parts of your application.
• Finally, don’t forget about the supplements
  • The supplemental questions are very important - you should plan to spend as much time on them as you do on your essay. A well written essay won’t help if your supplement answers are sloppy and uninformative.
• Edit, edit, edit!!
  • Do not rely on spellcheck. Simple errors can make a good essay look bad.

Commonly asked questions (and answers!) about applying to college:

Q: How/when should I do college visits?
A: Students should begin touring colleges during their junior year of high school- typically during the spring semester! You can set up a college visit by calling the college's Admission Office or by visiting the college's Admissions office website. Most colleges will have preview days set up for potential students to tour their campus, but you are always welcome to schedule a one-on-one tour with an Admission Representative.

Q: How/when do I apply for colleges?
A: The application process for most colleges begins in August/September and you should have the college applications completed by Thanksgiving! There are a number of ways to apply to colleges:

• For colleges within the UW System you will use the UW System Application found HERE
• For select Universities you may apply through the Common Application found HERE
• Most Private Universities utilize the Common Application OR their own application linked on their website
• Technical Colleges will have their own application linked on their website

Q: Do I qualify for a fee waiver?
A: Students who receive free/reduced lunch may qualify for a fee waiver for college applications as well as the ACT. Please bring proof of your free/reduced lunch status to your School Counselor and they can help you with necessary fee waivers.

Q: If I am taking a CAPP, Early College Credit, or Start College Now course, how do I get that college transcript sent?
A: All dual credit courses will show up on your high school transcript, but if you are planning on earning college credit for them, you will need to send a college transcript to each school you are applying. When applying to colleges, note the dual credit courses on your application and request a transcript from UW Oshkosh or Fox Valley Technical College by visiting their website and completing the transcript request form.

Q: I haven't taken the ACT yet- how do I do so?
A: All juniors will take the ACT test in January/February at North. If you would like to take the ACT before or after the required test at North you may sign up online. All dates and registration information is available in the Counseling Department by the testing bulletin board. You may also visit ACT.org to register or receive more information.

Q: I took the ACT but haven't sent my scores- how do I send them to colleges?
A: If you did not indicate on your ACT where you would like your scores sent, you will need to go to the ACT website (www.ACT.org) and request additional score reports to be sent. It costs roughly 15-20 dollars per school to send additional reports. 

Q: Where can I find scholarship information?
A: You can find scholarships in a number of places! You can check the counseling website under the College & Career Development tab for a spreadsheet with updated scholarship opportunities! You may also stop down to the Counseling Department and check the red bin for scholarships! We advise you to check frequently as it is updated every time a new scholarship comes into the office. You may also wish to ask the Financial Aid office at schools in which you are applying- many colleges will have scholarship opportunities! Finally, you can look for scholarships from local clubs, churches, community organizations, and parents' places of employment!

Q: How do I fill out my FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
A: You cannot fill out the FAFSA until December 2023 (no official date yet) of your senior year (using tax information from the previous year). We will have planned FAFSA assistance events for seniors and families! Check emails and the senior bulletin board regularly for details and upcoming events! 

ACT at North

Juniors will be taking the ACT on March 7th, 2023 as part of the state mandated testing requirements. This will be provided by the school without any cost to the student. 

This score can be used for admission applications, so please take the test seriously. Students can have their scores sent to 4 separate colleges for free at the time of the test OR they can wait to see their score and submit scores for a fee.

Even though all juniors will take the test in March, students have the ability to take the ACT multiple times. In general, schools will accept the highest composite score submitted for acceptance purposes.

Sending your scores

When you receive your score report in the mail, SAVE IT. You will need your ACT Student ID to access your scores online. Follow the instructions via this link to send your scores to different scores than you request upon taking the test.

Registering for additional ACT Test

Please follow the link to register for the ACT. Please be sure to follow instructions closely and pay attention to deadlines. If you are a student on free/reduced lunch and would like a fee waiver, please stop down in the Counseling Department and see your school counselor! 

Register for the ACT

Oshkosh North High School Code: 501728

The SAT is an entrance exam used by colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.

Students may choose to take the SAT for specific College/University admission, but it is not a requirement of Oshkosh North High School.

Register for the SAT

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT is the PRE-SAT test and is the only test that qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship Program and allows students to compete for national recognition and college scholarships. It is also great practice for the ACT that all juniors will take in January/February. 

How do I sign up for the PSAT?

If you are interested in taking the PSAT at North High School, please stop down in the Counseling Department and see Ms. Boycks to sign up! The cost of the test is $20 dollars and will be due at the time of sign up. 

Important Information for students taking the PSAT:

• PSAT will take place on Wednesday, October 12th at 8:00 AM in the auditorium (check-in begins at 7:30 AM)
• Only juniors will be allowed to register and take the test.
• Students must bring with them on test day:
  • At least two sharpened #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils)
  • A picture ID (either student ID or driver's license)

There is no doubt about it- the ACT is an incredibly important test! with so much riding on your score- college admittance, scholarships, potential jobs or internships, etc- you'll want to be as ready as possible!

Below is a list that will shine the spotlight on some of the most valuable ACT preparation resources that are helpful, convenient, and use-friendly! 

1. Method Test Prep: Method Test Prep is a self paced program that you can build around your schedule! There is a total of 25 hours of preparation- this can be spread out over 2 days, 2 months, 6 months, or even a year! If you take your ACT in the spring you will have time to prep for a second ACT later in the spring or following fall. Method Test Prep allows students to utilize study guides, comprehensive checklists, vocabulary builder, on demand quizzes, full length exams, audio/written explanations, and bonus videos/materials!
   
   To access Method Test Prep, please log into your Xello account and the link will be located on the bottom of your home page! 
    
2. PrepFactory: This awesome site offers a revolutionary and unique approach to test prep. By implementing experience points (XP) and a level-up system, PrepFactory engages with students and makes the studying process not only rewarding, but fun! Students can earn XP by watching videos, taking practice tests, and answering questions correctly.
   
   To access PrepFactory please go to www.prepfactory.com
    
3. ACT Website: What better place to learn all you can about the entrance exam than their website? ACT takers can learn about test tips, read descriptions of the subjects tested, view sample questions, and browse through a downloadable booklet that contains a practice test, scoring key, test information, and more! 
    
4. UW Oshkosh ACT Prep Course: This program provides 12 hours of instruction in the four academic areas and teaches writing strategies to assist students in the essay part of the ACT exam. Participants will get an orientation to the ACT, will have the opportunity to take two official retired ACT tests and will take additional quizzes. The instructors will teach test-taking strategies for each of the components and for the entire test, and students will practice with printed materials where test-taking tips can be applied and reinforced. Finally, students will complete interactive skill drills in their individual deficit areas, which are measured by the diagnostic test.
   
   To sign up for the UW Oshkosh ACT prep course, please visit this WEBSITE to get signed up today!
    
5. ZAP the ACT: With Zaps Focused Test Prep from Doorway to College Foundation, your student will experience what many parents, educators, and students will call the most flexible ACT prep that will actually fit into a high school student's busy schedule. You student will learn the directions for each ACT question type to save time during the test, what to expect from test questions, effective time management techniques, a plan for writing a high scoring essay on any topic, how to effectively study, and how to use partial knowledge to gain points!
   
   To sign up for the ZAPs Test Prep, please click HERE and select "in-school seminars". ZAPs is usually held at Oshkosh West High School in January!