College and Career Help - Dakota Adventist Academy

Your time at Dakota Adventist Academy is a time of options, action, and choices. The choices you make in 9th grade can and do impact you as a senior and into college and beyond. Check back often for more information on tips and ways to be successful in high school, college, career, and life. If you would like to see something added, just let us know — we are happy to help!

Budgeting Tips:

Colleges:

College is an important stepping stone on your path to success. Studies show that students who achieve a bachelor’s degree or higher on average have higher earnings and have lower unemployment rates than students who never complete high school and students who complete high school as their highest level of education. College is becoming increasingly important to career success.

As a Seventh-day Adventist school, we work hard to support our student’s desires to continue in Adventist post-secondary education.

Here are links to Adventist Colleges and Universities in North America:

*International university

DAA has also had students who participate in the Adventist Colleges Abroad exchange program. This program encourages students to experience other cultures, learn new languages, and expand their horizons through a semester or year abroad.

If you are struggling with picking a college, you can also use the free website, Niche, to explore colleges, their neighborhoods and their reviews.

Scholarships:

Check here for information on scholarships available to students:

Frank & LuLu Sanders Scholarship – this scholarship is available to students who hold membership in the Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Post-secondary enrollment must be in an educational institution listed in the most recent official Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook.

Prudential Spirit of Community Award – this program recognizes students who are committed to the spirit of volunteerism and community service. DAA’s mission statement reflects our commitment to active involvement in community service, and students who receive honors may be eligible for unrestricted awards of $1,000 or more, additional awards (President’s Volunteer Service Award), and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for special recognition events. This award was created to honor students for outstanding acts of community service. Students complete applications online and then submit them to the DAA principal for review and further recognition.

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Program – this scholarship rewards students who possess the character to succeed in life. This scholarship helps students overcome the financial barriers of pursuing higher education. Qualifications: be a full-time senior in a US high school with plans to enter college in the fall semester following graduation, exhibit a strong commitment to completing a bachelor’s degree, demonstrate critical financial need, be involved in co-curricular and community service activities, display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and be a US citizen. Learn more and apply on the scholarship program’s website.

Montana State University Presidential Scholarship – this scholarship for students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and a composite score of 30 on the ACT or 1410 on the SAT; students will also be reviewed based on academic distinction, demonstration of leadership and commitment to public service, and research and/or creative endeavors. Click here to apply.

North Dakota Academic Scholarship
North Dakota Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship

Both of these merit-based scholarships aim to increase high school rigor and retain college students in the state of North Dakota. Apply for these scholarships online.

Fastweb Scholarship Database

Fastweb provides a free database service to students; you can search for scholarships and also manage your own personalized scholarship lists, search colleges, and get a free career/financial advice. Check out this great resource on their website!

Scholarships:

Careers:

Finding a career that is right for you takes time, energy, and commitment! The Build Your Future website has tons of great advice on careers and is particularly highlighting construction-related careers right now. Check out their website for lots of great tips!

College Fair:

Adventist Colleges & Universities works hard to support our Adventist academies and they coordinate our College Fair every year. At our College Fair, students are able to meet with college representatives to learn more about each college, degrees available, financing options, and other learning opportunities. All students at DAA are able to visit with colleges at the College Fair.

Students need to register for the college fair in order to quickly provide their information to colleges in which they are interested. Students register only once and upon completion will receive a barcode, which they print and take to the fair for colleges to capture their data in a more secure manner. This process encourages more meaningful conversations for both the college representative and the student. Seniors are also encouraged to complete an application with the college and/or university on the day of the event.

Here’s how students can register and receive a barcode:

Students access the go to college fairs website
Select the state where the fair is taking place
Select the fair using the check box
Complete the registration form (may only complete questions)
Check the “terms and conditions box” and hit submit button
The barcode is displayed – print the barcode and it’s done!

Assessment Tests:

Tests are a huge part of your academic journey through the academy. Learn more about these tests in order to be prepared for them and understand their impact on your path to success. For specific test dates, check out our calendar on the home page.

Iowa Assessments

The Iowa Assessment tests measure student achievement and growth across several years of a student’s academic journey. This test is given to students in grades 9 and 10 at our school and is a great tool for you to identify and improve your strengths and weaknesses. Learn more about the Iowa Assessments on their website by clicking here. No registration is required by students/parents for these tests.

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT/NMSQT has a long and intimidating title, but is simply the preparation test for the SAT as well as the screening test for the National Merit Scholarship Program (learn more about the scholarship program here). All juniors at DAA take this test during the fall, and no registration is required by students or parents for this test.

SAT

The SAT is a test that measures what you have learned in high school and what you need in order to succeed in college; learn more about the test here. Generally, SAT promotes that setting a personal standard for academic success throughout high school is the best way to prepare for the SAT; this includes taking challenging courses, doing your homework, preparing for quizzes and tests, and asking and getting answers to your questions. For specific testing tips for the SAT, check out their website. On this site, you will be able to find practice tips, test-taking strategies (i.e. no penalty for guessing!), sample questions, and practice tests. You can also get free SAT practice on Khan Academy’s website. Students will need to register for this test (see SAT’s website for registration deadlines). For first time SAT test-takers, you will need to fill out a paper application form (available i the registrar’s office) in order to request non-Saturday testing; a letter from your Bible teacher/chaplain will also be required with the registration form.

Click here for an SAT Prep Guide

ACT

The ACT is arguably the most important test a high school student takes. Most colleges in the United States look at a student’s ACT test scores in combination with cumulative GPA to determine what scholarships you are eligible for. The ACT is the leading college admissions test to measure what you have learned in high school and determine how ready academically you are for college. In addition to the academic importance of this test, the ACT also includes resources for college and career planning; the World-of-Work Map is a personalized career map provided for each student along with the ACT test results. The ACT website provides test-taking tips on their website to help students be successful when they take the test. Students will need to register for this test online (see ACT’s website for registration deadlines) by creating a student account; you will pay for the test (and any additional items like the writing test or study materials) online as well.

ACT State Testing

The state of North Dakota is serious about its testing and requires a mandatory ACT test for all high school juniors at all schools in North Dakota. All juniors will take the ACT test in the spring; they do not need to register for this test. For most students, this is their first attempt at the ACT and, as this test is paid for by ND, it is a great opportunity to get the most for your money! Study and prepare for this test as you would any other test you pay for, and you will be using your time wisely. Students typically end up re-taking the ACT test one or more times in order to raise their ACT scores, so being serious about your first attempt can save time and money.

Click here for an ACT Prep Guide

More Resources

All tests have specific suggestions for doing your best on a specific test; however, there are some general test-taking tips that can seriously impact your scores. Check out some of these websites for more information on test-taking tips: