Academic requirements

• NTHS graduation requirements - In order to earn your high school diploma, these requirements must be met.
• College admissions standards (WSAC website) - These are the minimum college admissions standards at Washington's public four-year colleges.
• GED (Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges) - if you are unable to earn your diploma, the GED exam is another option to meet the academic requirements to be admitted to a community college.

College Entrance Exams

• SAT vs ACT (Princeton Review) - Most colleges will accept the ACT or SAT exam as part of your application materials. This site will help you determine which test you should take based on several factors.
• Register to take the ACT (act.org) | ACT Academy Exam Prep
• Register to take the SAT (collegeboard.org) |  Khan Academy SAT Prep
• Register to take the test and send your scores to colleges you are considering. Your application materials will not be considered complete until these scores have been received by admissions offices. Fee waivers are available to qualifying students through your counselor. NTHS CEEB Code: 480570

College search & comparison tools

• Big Future (CollegeBoard's website) - Search for colleges based on location, majors, activities, and more. You can create a profile and save your results to build a roadmap to the college of your choice.
• US Department of Education College Scorecard - Colleges are scored based on cost, graduation rates, and salaries after graduation.
• US News & World Report Best Colleges list - U.S. News & World Report provides over 50 different types of numerical rankings to help narrow down the search.

Application help and more

• Request official high school transcripts (parchment.com)
• Personal Statement Tips (College Essay Guy) - as part of the application, many colleges ask for an essay or personal statement. This is your opportunity to show the college your authentic self outside of grades and test scores. This website has numerous tips and example of how to shine with your statement.
• How to request Letters of Recommendation (PDF)
• Green Sheet (PDF) - the form teachers will need in order to write your letter of recommendation. Fill it out and make multiple copies.
• Senior Survey (Google Form) - this form is required as part of your High School & Beyond plan. Give one copy to your counselor and turn one in to the college & career center.

Extra resources for BIPOC, LGBTQIA, Women, and Latinx students

• History of historically black colleges & universities (recurring Webinar)
• Campus Pride LGBT-friendly campus list
• Financial Aid Shopping Sheet (PDF) (US Dept of Education)
• College Completion Toolkit (US Dept of Education)
• Study.com scholarship list for people with different types of backgrounds
• Scholarships for Women (scholarships.com)

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade professional. Workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation while earning wages and benefits for the job. After completing an apprenticeship program, the worker's journey-level status provides an additional benefit of nationwide mobility at the journey-level scale.

• Apprenticeships are available in over 1,000 occupations.
• The majority of apprenticeship programs are in construction and manufacturing.
• Employers and employee associations manage apprenticeship programs, choose apprentices, and pay their wages.
• Apprentices who complete a registered program receive a certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor. They then become journey workers.
• Most programs require that the applicants be 18 years old and a high school graduate.
• Apprentices are employees and are paid at least minimum wage for their work.

Get Started:

1. Find a Program
   • Look for apprenticeship programs in your area at The Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
   • Contact trade associations, unions, and other professional organizations.
2. Complete an application
   • Once you have found a program, contact the organization directly for application materials and take any required tests.
3. Interview
   • An apprenticeship interview is like a job interview. Arrive early. Be courteous and friendly to everyone you meet. Emphasize that you are willing to work hard and eager to learn. After the interview, an applicant is given a numerical rating based on his/her employment history, education, skills, test scores, an interview. Applicants are then ranked and put on a waiting list to be placed into a program.

Military Entrance

• ASVAB Test - NTHS offers ASVAB once in the fall and one in the spring. You can also speak to a recruiter about testing.
• Eligibility Requirements (Today's Military)
• Air Force

Military Branches

• Air National Guard
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marines
• National Guard
• Navy
• Space Force

Military College & Career Pathways

• Enlisting
• Military Careers
• Reserve or National Guard
• ROTC - Reserve Officer Training Corps

Want to start your own business? There are plenty of opportunities and information out there to help you get started!

Open a Business (Washington State Dept of Revenue)