College, Career, and Military Readiness
College Planning
- Applying for College
- SAT, ACT & TSIA2 Information
- Paying for College (FAFSA & Scholarship Info)
- Transcripts & Records
- Recommendation Letters
- Playing a Sport in College
Applying for College
SAT, ACT & TSIA2 Information
Guidance Lesson Powerpoint
National Exams: SAT and ACT
Two of the most common and most important high school national exams are the SAT and the ACT. These standardized tests not only measure a student's academic capabilities, but they also act as a major influence in college admissions.
A question commonly asked is what is the difference between taking the SAT and ACT - and should you take both? The tests you take will probably be determined by the requirements of the colleges you would like to attend. Most accept either test, the SAT or the ACT. Some colleges prefer one or the other, so check the catalog or admission procedure section of the college or university information book to make sure you know exactly what tests you are required to take. If you take the exam more than once, most colleges will consider your best score and not be concerned about how often you took the test, although we recommend you not take the test more than three times - and never without doing some preparation before each new test. Just re-testing without preparation will not usually increase your score, and it could go down.
SAT Test Dates and Registration
ACT Test Dates and Registration
TSIA-2
- The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) program is designed to help colleges and universities determine if you are ready for college-level coursework in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. All incoming college students are required to take the TSI Assessment (TSIA-2) unless they qualify for an exemption based on their SAT or ACT scores (see resources below for exemption information). After high school, based on how you perform on the TSIA-2 you may be enrolled in a college-level course and/or be placed in the appropriate developmental courses. Dual credit students may not take developmental courses and must meet the TCC TSIA-2 requirements in order to take dual credit courses.
- Northwest ISD offers the TSI throughout the year and students may choose to take it online or face-to-face. If you wish to take the TSIA-2 please submit the 2021-2022 TSIA-2 Voucher Request Form using the link below.
TSIA-2 Resources
Request to take the TSIA-2
- 2021-2022 TSIA2 Test Request Form for Dual Credit and Tarrant County College Students
- 2021-2022 TSIA2 Test Request Form for Graduating Seniors going to a Texas Public or Private College
- TCC & Dual Credit Students may also be able to take the TSI through TCC.
TSIA-2 Helpful Links
TSIA-2 Exemptions
Please note that colleges have varying admissions policies. While NISD is available to help, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to work with their college admissions office to ensure that they meet the enrollment requirements of each college they plan to attend. If you have additional questions about the TSI Assessment or need further guidance, please contact your school counselor, NISD College & Career Readiness, or the admissions and advising office at the college you plan to attend.
Paying for College (FAFSA & Scholarship Info)
Guidance Lesson Powerpoint
FAFSA
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) can be submitted as early as October 1
- FAFSA is Federally funded financial assistance for education beyond high school
- Check out these additional resources:
FAFSA information translated into 5 languages
7 Steps to the FAFSA
Scholarships
- Major Clarity is our NISD Scholarship Hub
- Major Clarity is accessed through the Student Portal - Click on Major Clarity, Financial Resources
- Search for thousands of scholarships in Major Clarity
- Includes local, regional, state, and national scholarships
- Check back frequently for new posts/opportunities - Major Clarity is updated throughout the year
- First things first--have you applied for the general scholarship at the college to which you are headed? Statistically, you will get the most money from your selected schools. To see how to apply for those, go to the individual college's website and look for the key words of financial aid and/or scholarships.
Additional Scholarship Searches
Most of these will have you fill out a profile and then it will send you emails with scholarships that match your profile. You might want to open a new email account specifically for these scholarship databases. That way your personal email is not flooded with these scholarship emails and when you are done with the search you can delete that email account. Also remember you should not pay for any scholarships or scholarship searches.
Transcripts & Records
Request Transcripts through Parchment
- Transcript requests for all grades are handled through Parchment unless you are applying via the Common Application. If you are applying via Common Application, you must notify your counselor by email.
- Current and former students should request a transcript through Parchment here:
- All final transcripts must be requested via Parchment. If requesting before final, please be sure to choose the "hold for grades" option.
- For questions about transcripts sent through Parchment, please reach out to your campus registrar:
The Registrars |
Alpha Split |
Phone number |
Email link |
Teri Balich |
A-L |
817-215-0238 |
|
Martha Gonzalez |
M-Z |
817-215-0257 |
******Notice******
- The application to the school or program must be complete before the transcript may be sent out by the registrars.
- If a transcript needs to be mailed to a coach or scholarship, please email your counselor.
Recommendation Letters
- To request a College Application Recommendation Letter from your Counselor:
- Ask your Counselor in-person if they would write a recommendation letter for you
- Provide details about what is required, who to send it to, and how to send it
- Give at least 2-week notice
- Fill out the Counselor Recommendation Survey link:Counselor Recommendation Survey
- To request a College Application Recommendation Letter from a Teacher or Coach:
- Check Deadlines! Give recommenders at least 2 weeks to complete letters
- Don't send more than schools ask for
- You should politely ask for recommenders to write you a letter
- Provide a resume or brag sheet to give them details about you and your activities
Brag Sheet Template - Provide details on how to submit. If it needs to be mailed, provide addressed, stamped envelope
Playing a Sport in College
Career Planning
Career Exploration
Career Resources
Texas Career CheckExplore careers, occupation/salary outlook in Texas, and access to Career Interest Survey
Workforce Solutions of North Central TexasTools you need to get a job, keep a job, and find a better job. Assistance for job search, work, and educational expenses
Career One StopSponsored by the US Department of Labor, this is a source for career exploration, training, resume building, and job searching
Careers Now
Military Planning
Military Enlistment Survey
- Are you considering a career in the Military? Please complete this Google Form so we can help you in the process:
Military Enlistment Survey
ASVAB
- The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success
- Participation in the ASVAB CEP (Career Exploration Program) is voluntary. If your student participates they are not obligated to the military in any way
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ASVAB CEP is designed to help young people explore their options and make a plan
ASVAB CEP Website
Careers in the Military
- Use the links below to investigate career options and benefits available to serving in that branch
- Army The Army is the largest military branch in the United States. Its job is to protect the country and its citizens. In this section, you’ll learn about the history of the Army, and about some common terms that you’ll hear often as you explore your career options
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Army National Guard When you join the Army National Guard, you’re joining a team with purpose and setting yourself up for a successful future. You’ll gain job skills and leadership experience, and get a head start on a civilian career. Explore the many ways Guard service can accelerate your path
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Marines The Marine Corps mission reflects every Marine's purpose. In essence, our Nation is that purpose. In our world, in ourselves, and in our way, there are conflicts, challenges, and obstacles that must be fought confidently and defeated convincingly for our Nation to prevail. These looming battles come in many forms and occur on many fronts, but each comes down to a critical choice: to demand victory or accept defeat. To pull together or fall apart. To give in or cave in. It is a decision each Marine conveys to our Nation with each battle won
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Air Force The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win - airpower anytime, anywhere. Whether full time, part time, in or out of uniform, everyone who serves plays a critical role in helping us achieve mission success
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Navy The mission of the Navy is to recruit, train, equip, and organize to deliver combat ready Naval forces to win conflicts and wars while maintaining security and deterrence through sustained forward presence
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Coast Guard The Coast Guard is a unique branch of the military responsible for an array of maritime duties, from ensuring safe and lawful commerce to performing rescue missions in severe conditions. Nearly 42,000 men and women are actively serving in the Coast Guard to defend America's borders and protect the maritime environment.
Seniors, we want to celebrate YOU!
Seniors - help us recognize you and celebrate your accomplishments. Use these links give us information about your college acceptance, work offer, scholarship offers, certification earned, and/or military enlistment.