Counselor Essentials
Application Process
1.) Obtain application for admission from the Enrollment Services Office or go on-line to complete the application.
2.) For most programs, NDSCS has two admission requirements;
One: Complete your high school education or GED;
Two: If you are under the age of 25, you will need to take the ACT For most programs, NDSCS does not have a minimum or maximum score required for acceptance. However, your ACT score does matter because the information from your ACT score will assist with determining what classes you will be enrolling in or if you are required to take an assessment of your writing, reading and/or math skills.
Please remember that you do not have to have taken your ACT or completed your high school education or GED prior to making application.
If you have not completed your high school education or GED, you are still able to enroll conditionally in a career programs, like auto tech, culinary arts, diesel, etc. However, you are not eligible for financial aid. If you would like to obtain financial aid, you will need to complete the Ability to Benefit test and pass.
3.) NDSCS does have admission requirements for some curriculums. Programs with special requirements are: Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, John Deere Ag Tech, Nanoscience, Associate in Applied Science Practical Nursing and Associate in Science Nursing are closed admission programs. For the admission requirements to these programs please consult the college catalog.
4.) Application for most programs are accepted throughout the year. Early application is recommended. For programs with admission deadlines and admission to curriculums with special requirements, please see college catalog.
5.) The first steps in filling out the application request biographical information about you. These are questions 1-9 on the application.
6.) Question 10 ask you what term you plan to enter. Fall term starts in August. Spring term starts in January and the Summer term starts in June. Please remember some programs start every eight weeks except in the summer.
7.) NDSCS offers certificate, diplomas and associate degrees. Some programs only offer one degree option and some programs have several degree options. Please consult the catalog for degree options or ask an NDSCS Enrollment Services Specialist. And if you are not sure, you may want to check “earn an associate degree”.
8.) Your academic major, question 12, is the area that you plan to study, ie: diesel, office administration or machine tooling. Please remember that computers is a program on campus and there are several options under computers like web design, computer hardware technician, please check the catalog for the academic program you would like to enroll in to avoid confusion.
9.) The delivery method is where or how you plan on taking on classes. NDSCS has two locations: Wahpeton or off campus site-STTC in Fargo. On line classes are taken from NDSCS but can be taken anywhere.
10.) A full time student has 12 credits or more and part time student carries less than 12 credits.
11.) The last high school you attended or when your GED is completed is asked in question 15. Please remember NDSCS does require a copy of your official high school transcript or GED.
12.) If you have attended college or taken any post secondary classes, be sure to list the colleges or universities attended and have official transcripts sent to NDSCS.
13.) Questions 17-21, are additional questions to help us process your application.
14.) You are not required to fill out the section entitled: College Preparatory Courses.
15.) Sign your application and submit to NDSCS Enrollment Services with your $35 application fee. Application fee is required, if needed NDSCS can make arrangements with student to pay.
