College Readiness

In addition to entrance exams, there are other tests to consider taking when applying to college:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized test measuring one’s ability to speak and understand English at a college level. TOEFL is often a requirement for students applying to college from outside the U.S.
• CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) tests are similar to AP exams in that students can earn college credit by demonstrating achievement in a certain subject area. CLEP exams are offered throughout the year at test centers located at colleges and universities.

AP, or Advanced Placement courses, are college-level courses that a student can take in high school. They are more rigorous than high school courses and students can receive college credit by achieving a certain score on an exam (see section on College Entrance Exams). AP courses are offered in more than 30 subjects, although not all classes are available at all high schools. Students who successfully pass AP exams may be granted college credit or admission to advanced classes at some universities. Please note that not all colleges grant students college credit for the courses.

The exams are scored from 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest. Each college’s policy is different, but most require a minimum score of 3 or higher out of 5 to receive college credit. Visit www.louisianabelieves.com for subsidizing the AP exam fees for eligible public school students.

Dual enrollment programs allow students to take college classes at participating colleges while they are still in high school. Essentially, students can attend high school and college at the same time and earn college credit. Typically 11th and 12th graders are allowed to participate in dual enrollment programs. Note that not all schools offer dual enrollment.

Visit Louisiana Dual Enrollment for additional information.

Honors classes offer the same curriculum as non-honors classes, but are more challenging, faster paced, and cover topics more in-depth. While students will not receive college credit for these courses, they do offer many benefits.

• First, students can gain an advantage in the college admission process. Colleges look for students who take rigorous courses. It shows that the student is serious about an academic career and like a challenge. 
• Second, students can boost their GPA. Because honors classes are more difficult than non-honors classes, the grades earned in honors courses at most schools are given an extra grade point. For example, an A earns 5 points instead of 4, and a B earns 4 points instead of 3.

Being accustomed to a high level of challenge and a fast pace will better prepare a student to succeed in college.

TOPS is the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students that provides Louisiana high school graduates meeting specific eligibility requirements with a scholarship if they choose to attend a Louisiana college or university. Each year, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) evaluates the records of all Louisiana high school graduates, whose parents are also Louisiana residents. Eligibility is determined through high school transcripts and a student’s ACT score.

Students must completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). LOSFA notifies high school graduates of their eligibility during the summer following their high school graduation.

Standard Eligibility Requirements

• Have at least a TOPS Core Curriculum GPA of 2.5
• Have completed 19.0 Core Units (TOPS Core Curriculum)
• Have a composite ACT (or SAT Equivalent) Score (Prior year state average)
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident
• Meet TOPS Louisiana residency requirements
• Enroll as a first time freshman, full time by the first semester after the first year of high school graduation

*An ACT/SAT Score of 22 is required for BESE-Approved Home Study
* Out-of-state/country high school graduates who are Louisiana residents must have an ACT/SAT Score of 23.

Visit LOSFA for TOPS Renewal Requirements.

College Track

College Track – provides academic support, leadership training, financial and college counseling to incoming ninth grade students through college graduation. 

College Track has four core service areas:

• Academic Affairs Program encourages students to succeed in high school while preparing them for college. The program provides tutoring, academic workshops, academic case management, ACT preparation, study groups, and study squads.
• College Affairs Program provides college admissions assistance through college tours, college advising, scholarship applications and financial aid, scholarship help desk and college support.
• Student Life Program provides opportunities, resources, and tools for students to explore their passions while preparing for college through youth development, service and community engagement, and experiential education.
• College Success Program has a college completion team that assist students throughout their 4-year college experience by making the transition from high school to college easier, keeping college students engaged, partnering with colleges nationwide and sponsoring the alumni association.

College Track students participate in summer experiences focused on personal development, arts, enrichment, or health and wellness through Student Life Workshops.

College Track enrolls students at the end of their eighth grade year.

For additional information call 504-577-2021 or visit www.collegetrack.org.

Posse is a comprehensive college access and youth development program. Founded in 1989, Posse's Dynamic Assessment Process identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential that may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Posse extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams—Posses—of 10 students. Posse partner colleges and universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships. High schools and community-based organizations nominate students for their leadership and academic potential.

Posse's Pre-Collegiate Training (PCT) helps scholars develop as leaders before they matriculate at college. From January to August of their senior year in high school, newly selected scholars meet weekly with Posse peers and staff for two-hour workshops that address four areas:

• Academic excellece,
• Team building and group support,
• Cross-cultural communication,
• Leadership and becoming an active agent of change.

Campus Program works to ensure the retention of Posse Scholars and to increase the impact of the program on campus.

Posse’s Career Program has five core components:

• Internships,
• Career Development Workshops,
• Career Coaching,
• Graduate + Fellowship Programs, and
• The Alumni Network.

For additional information call 504-208-5595 or visit possefoundation.org.

Project Ready (PR) is the signature college and career access program of the Urban League of Louisiana. In New Orleans, Project Ready partners with L.B. Landry - O.P. Walker College and Career Preparatory High School. Through the selective dual enrollment program, highly motivated 11th and 12th graders pursue one of the following tracks:

• Associate Degree of Applied Science in Industrial Technology
• Certificate of Technical Studies in Electrical Construction
• Certificate of Technical Studies in Welding

In addition to their college coursework, dual enrollment students participate in guest speaker sessions, Behind the Business tours, college tours, college and career advising, and internships.

The Urban League Project Ready after-school component is a 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. The program offers:

• Academic support
• College and career advising
• College tours
• Behind the Business tours
• Extracurricular Clubs
• Mentoring

9th-12th graders are eligible to apply to the program. Students selected for the program must be motivated and commit to participating in the program at least 2 days per week.

For additional information call 504-620-2332 or visit www.urbanleaguela.org.

YouthForce NOLA (YouthForce) is an education, business, and civic collaborative that prepares New Orleans public school students for successful pursuit of high-wage, high-demand career pathways. Through our network of partner schools, employers, training providers, and community organizations, YouthForce offers expanded coursework offerings, career exposure and experiences, soft skills training, and employer validated credentials. YouthForce’s shared vision is that our graduates will thrive economically, and be the most sought after talent for hiring and advancement in the region’s high-wage, fastgrowing industries.

YouthForce NOLA focuses in high-demand skill clusters and career pathways:

• Skilled Crafts (including jobs in architecture, construction, water, energy, engineering, etc.),
• Health Sciences (including jobs in biosciences and healthcare),
• Digital Media/IT (including jobs in software development, graphic design, and information technology), and
• Business Services (including jobs in general business, financial services, and project management).

YouthForce staff support the collaborative effort via advocacy, capacity-building, communication, convening, data, funding, and policy efforts, as well as directly operating two meaningful work experience programs on behalf of our employer, school, and training provider collaborators: YouthForce Internships (for 12th graders) and LAUNCH (a bridge year program for students who have completed all high school graduation requirements).

Visit youthforcenola.org for additional information.