Nicholls tightens admissions standards; offers some help

A change in admission standards at Nicholls State University requires students to surpass the need for remedial coursework, but the university will offer several options for students who are within reach of meeting admission standards.

Any student who applies to Nicholls should not have a score lower than an 18 in English or 19 in math on their ACT.

The new standards also require Louisiana high school graduates to have at least a 21 ACT composite score or an overall high school GPA of 2.35 to 4.0. Students are also required to complete the Regents’ Core 4 Curriculum.

The changes are expected to take effect at the start of the fall 2014 semester.

Laynie Barrilleaux, vice president for academic affairs at Nicholls, said since 2005, the university has implemented several changes to admission standards, which align with the university’s goal to attain higher-quality students and increased graduation rates.

“There have been a lot of changes throughout the years,” Barrilleaux said. “This most recent change is about students who test into remedial math and English not being admitted into four-year course studies.”

Barrilleaux said the changes have already been implemented at universities such as Louisiana Tech, Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and University of New Orleans.

“If you’re remedial in one or the other, and it’s a fairly high remedial score, there is still a chance you can be admitted,” Barrilleaux said.

Courtney Cassard, director of enrollment services at Nicholls, said the university offers the COMPASS exam for prospective students who do not meet admission requirements.

The computer-adaptive college placement test, which is given on a daily basis at the Thibodaux campus, “allows students to test out of developmental courses,” Cassard said.

Students can also retake the ACT exam or enroll in summer classes to meet admission standards.

Barrilleaux said Nicholls has developed a pilot program through the Board of Regents for students who are within two points of meeting the required ACT score in math or English. The pilot program is a combination of a remedial course with for-credit coursework.

“When in doubt, apply or give us a call,” Barrilleaux said. “We are committed to helping students find their way to Nicholls, and we will work with you to find a path to admission if at all possible.”

Eugene Dial, vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, said if students are not admitted to Nicholls, they also have the opportunity to cross-enroll at Fletcher Technical Community College, where they can take Nicholls courses and build credits to transfer.

“There are different ways they can satisfy the requirements,” Dial said. “If most students are close enough, they can find a way by attending summer school or retaking the COMPASS exam or ACT test.”

Students exempted from the new standards are those who have dyslexia, veterans and some adults.

Anyone with questions about their eligibility for acceptance should contact the university’s admissions counselors to find the best alternatives to the new requirements.