The Guidance Department Page will be updated periodically.  Announcements are made often for students to check Mrs. Mertle’s office door for any pertinent college information.  If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Mertle at (859) 292-0001 or email her at jmertle@ncchs.com.  

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION  (Updated 9-14-07)

Juniors and Seniors:  Parents please encourage your child to become re-acquainted with Mrs. Mertle’s office in the library.  College applications, catalogs, ACT/SAT information & registration packets,  scholarship and financial aid information is available.  PLEASE NOTE:  The guidance office BEST and MOST USED means of communication with the students is the daily PA announcements and the dissemination of materials in homerooms.

College Representatives:

Most college reps are scheduled to visit NCC in the fall.  Students are always responsible for any class work missed while attending.

COLLEGE VISITS OFF CAMPUS:

Senior students are permitted to take up to three days for college visits.  They MUST follow these procedures in order for the visit to be an excused absence:

1. Students/Parents should call the college well in advance to schedule a visit (Mrs. Mertle does not schedule your visit).  It is encouraged to visit during times that the school has an open house schedule or through the schools visitor center.
2. See Mrs. Mertle at least one week in advance of your visit to notify her of your plans.
3. A note signed by the parents MUST be given to Mrs. Mertle prior to your visit (preferably one week ahead of time).
4. Mrs. Mertle, upon receiving the parent permission note will provide the student with a NCC College Visit Verification Form that must be signed and returned to Mrs. Mertle the day after the visit.  (If not returned, the visit will not be an excused absence).
5. College visits may not be scheduled the day before or after a major event such as Homecoming, Prom, Christmas break or Spring break.
6. Students are responsible for all schoolwork they miss while on their visit.
7. The last day to schedule a college visit is April 15^th. 

Please note that visits to local colleges should not be scheduled if possible.  And students should notify their teachers that they will be missing class.  A few days in advance is recommended.  STUDENTS WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE MARKED ABSENT.

COLLEGE FAIRS

The Regional College Fair will be held at Thomas More College on Sept. 27^{th 6:00 – 8:00 pm}  and the National College Fair will be held on Oct. 7^th  at the Duke Energy Center 1:00 – 4:00 pm.  These are annual fairs.  There will be another fair on March 30^th at Xavier University (Cintas Center) from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

College Fairs are an excellent way to gather information as you go through the college admission process.

TESTING INFORMATION

ACT/SAT – These are the college entrance tests/exams used for admission into colleges/universities.  The guidance department recommends that all college bound juniors begin taking these tests in the spring of their junior year.  All seniors are encouraged to take the ACT/SAT at least once before they graduate.  Students can register on-line or by mail.  Registration packets are available in the guidance office.  Please call Mrs. Mertle is you have questions. The High School Code for NCC is always 181973 (needed when registering).  PLEASE NOTE THAT NCC WILL NOT GET A SCORE REPORT UNLESS THE HS CODE IS GIVEN.  THIS COULD INCUR AN ADDITIONAL COST LATER IN THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS.

ACT – NCC will again be a test site for the ACT tests in Oct., Dec., April and June.

Test dates are posted on this web site, in the student planner and are announced on the daily PA announcements.

SAT –  NCC is not a test site for the SAT, however the test is given each Oct.., Nov., Dec., Jan., March, May & June.

Sophomore and Junior testing:

There are two important test during the month of October for sophomores, the PLAN & the PSAT.  The Plan includes an interest inventory and study skills assessment.  All sophomores will take the PLAN on October 10^th  here at NCC.  (Mrs. Kellinghaus will administer the test in the school gymnasium).

The PSAT will be given on Wed. October 17^th by Mrs. Mertle (in the school gym).  This is an optional test for sophomore and juniors.  Cost of the test is $14.00 and students must sign up to take the test.  (The PSAT for sophomores is for practice, and the results for the juniors is the only score used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program).

ASVAB (Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery)

The ASVAB test will be given to all juniors on November 21^ST   (in the school gym) from 12:00 pm – 2:45 pm.  The federal government along with Mrs. Mertle will administer the test.  There is no cost to students.  Areas tested are:  verbal, math, academic abilities, mechanical/crafts, business/clerical, electronics, electrical and health/social/technology.  The results will be interpreted by an education specialist from the Armed Services as a basis for career planning.  Students will receive a career exploration workbook with their results.

FINANCIAL AID

Mrs. Mertle will host a financial aid night for seniors and their parents on SUNDAY DECEMBER 2^ND  IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL AT 6:30 PM.  A representative from  Thomas More College Office of Financial aid will provide critical information for all college-bound seniors.  She will explain how to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application For Student Aid/Federal Financial Aid Form).

JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT

Mrs. Mertle will host a college planning night for all juniors and their parents on SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3^RD  AT 6:30 IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL.  Mrs. Melissa Gorbandt, associate admissions director from Northern Kentucky University will present.  This is especially beneficial for parents who have children going through the college planning process for the first time.

APPLICATIONS TO COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIPS

Seniors who plan to attend college next fall SHOULD be applying at this time.  Students with good grades, high ACT/SAT scores and high rank in class should be applying for academic/merit-based scholarships and grants NOW!  Most merit-based scholarship deadlines are in early November and December.  See/call Mrs. Mertle if you have questions.  Often schools have a separate scholarship applications

 PERMISSION SAMPLE FORM - CLICK HERE

Guidance Department Information

Click here for Managing the College Search & Application Process.