College Entrance Standards | Video

Kristin Clouston | 9/27/2012

The State Board of Higher Education has unanimously approved a plan that will change admission requirements for North Dakota colleges and universities. The Pathway to Student Success Plan is still a work in progress and will gradually be implemented within the next few years. It separates the schools into two year colleges, four year universities and research universities.

With the pathway to student success program, two year state colleges will still have open enrollment but entrance standards at the four year colleges UND and NDSU would depend on a student`s entrance score based on a mathematical formula.

"We made sure class rank doesn`t exist anymore and that we put more weight on ACT scores so the index is based on an ACT or GPA on the number of prep courses they`ve taken.We also add points for North Dakota residents," said ND University System Chancellor Ham Shirvani.

While some students agree it`s better to start at a two year college, they say admissions shouldn`t be based on a standard formula.

"I don`t think it depends on grades. I think it depends on how they learn. Your GPA doesn`t really mean too much once you get into college. You can be a 4.0 student in high school and get a 2.0 in college. I think it should depend on the way you learn," said BSC student Amanda Halverson.

A major part of the program includes educating high school kids, so they are prepared for college and attend the type of school most appropriate for their success.

"College expenses are high and people are leaving with a college debt and I don`t really mind them living with college debt if they get a degree but if they don`t get a degree and come there and fail I think it`s morally not responsible to have them in the wrong college," said State Board of Higher Education President Duaine Espegard.

Some college freshman say they would have liked to have a program like this to guide them when choosing a school.

"It may be helpful for kids to know that at a smaller school like BSC or any other 2 year college you can get a lot more one on one attention with your teachers and just smaller classes so its not as intimidating to go up to your teacher and tell them you need help," said BSC student Reeann Mehus.

The board will start will start preparing high school students this year, and the changes should go into full effect in 2016.

The chancellor says they also plan to put up an interactive website so students can figure out what they need to take and do to get into the program and school of their choice.

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