Spartancyclopedia

Deadlines!

bkwiatek — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:13:00 GMT

Civil War buffs will tell you that the first “deadline” was the barrier around the notorious Andersonville prison. Prisoners who crossed the line would be shot dead.

We have deadlines around here, too. Thankfully, this isn’t Andersonville. Missing a deadline isn’t deadly, but it can be disappointing and frustrating.

We try our best to remind you of important dates, but in the end it’s up to you to meet deadlines to keep yourself on track. Here are some to keep in mind.

If you want to be considered for a program with a formal review process, you need to apply to the college or (for current or re-entering students) submit a Change of Major Request form to the Admissions Office before the deadline. These programs include:

Culinary Arts (February 1 for fall; October 1 for spring)

Dental Hygiene (February 1 for fall)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (February 1 for fall)

Funeral Services (February 1 for fall)

Medical Assistant (February 1 for fall)

Nursing/RN (February 1 for fall; September 15 for spring)

Nursing/LPN (February 1 for fall)

Radiography (February 1 for fall)

Sports Medicine: Athletic Training (February 1 for fall)

Surgical Technology (February 1 for fall)

Veterinary Technician (February 1 for fall)

If you’re interested in any of the programs listed below, apply as soon as possible. While they don’t have a formal deadline, they are popular programs with limited seating that often fill up:

Architecture

Automotive Technology

Communication Design

Dietary Management

Early Childhood Education

Fine Art

Radio/TV

Theater

Financial Aid (March 31/October 1): It takes our financial aid office several weeks to review your application. Combine that with the increasing number of students applying for financial aid, and you need to get those applications in on time if you want to get a financial aid package before tuition is due. Complete your application by March 31 for the fall semester; October 1 for the spring semester.

Housing Application (April 1/October 1): High demand and limited space in the dorm and apartment building means that you should complete your application by April 1 (fall semester) or October 1 (spring semester).

Payment Plan (approximately four weeks before the start of the semester): The Bursar’s Office offers an interest-free way to help you spread out the cost of your education, but you have to sign up in time to take full advantage of it. If you enroll after the first payment date, then you’ll have to make extra payments to catch up with the schedule.

Spring semester (December 1 to April 1): December 15 for first payment

Summer semesters (April 15 to July 15): April 15 for first payment

Fall semester (July 1 to November 1): July 15 for first payment.

Tuition due date: If you haven’t enrolled in the payment plan, you need to pay your balance in full before the tuition due date. Check the Academic Calendar for specific dates.

When is the last possible date to register for a class? Check the Academic Calendar.

When is the last possible date to drop a class and get money back? Check the Academic Calendar.

When is the last possible date to withdraw from a class? That’s right – check the Academic Calendar!

Apply for graduation (October/February): Believe it or not, we don’t automatically know when you’re going to graduate. Give us the head’s up by completing your Application for Graduation one semester prior to your anticipated graduation. The Academic Calendar includes this important date as well.

When your paper is due: I can’t tell you that, but your professor can!

Did I miss anything? Let me know, and I’ll add it to the list.

Thinking About Summer Classes at NCC?

bkwiatek — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:30:00 GMT

This is the time of year when we start getting questions from students at other colleges and universities who would like to take a class or two at NCC over their summer break while they’re home from school.

Picking up transfer credits over the summer is a great way to lighten your course load during the regular school year or help you complete your degree sooner. With a wide variety of offerings and three summer sessions to fit your schedule, NCC makes it easy and convenient.

First things first: anyone wishing to take one or more credit classes at the college must first apply to NCC and pay the one-time $25 application fee. If you completed an application to NCC in the past, submit a Re-Entry form instead of applying.

Want to know if a specific class is being offered, and exactly when? You can search for summer courses on the website.

(Select "credit" in the Programs box before doing a keyword search for the course you want. Clicking on the course name will give you the locations, days and times for each section. You can see a list of all courses that are available by selecting “View All Courses” to the right of the keyword search box. An asterisk in the Cost column means that the section is full; "n/a" in the Cost column means that seats are still available.)

Registration for summer classes begins in November, so don’t wait until the last minute to apply and register. Popular classes fill up quickly!

If a course has a prerequisite, you will need to provide a copy of your high school or college transcript at the time of registration to prove that you are eligible to register (an unofficial copy will suffice). Other courses may require placement test scores (or SAT or PSSA scores) to show eligibility.

Before you register for classes, meet with an academic advisor at your home school to make sure that the class(es) will be accepted for your major. And double-check the semester dates to make sure that they don’t conflict with your vacation plans.

We hope to see you on campus!

2009 Main Campus Open House is November 21!

bkwiatek — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:01:00 GMT

NCC will host its annual Open House (main campus in Bethlehem) on Saturday, November 21, from 10 am - 12:30 pm, and you are cordially invited.

Open House is a great opportunity to meet professors in different departments, take a tour of the campus, and learn about our many student services -- and let's not forget the free refreshments!

Students who RSVP will be eligible for door prizes, too! To RSVP, email your name, address, phone number, intended major and number of people attending to: adminfo@northampton.edu

It's Almost Time for the 2009 Northampton County College Fair

bkwiatek — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:13:00 GMT

NCC will once again host the annual Northampton County College Fair where you can speak with reps from over 135 accredited colleges and universities. The fair is for all 10th, 11th and 12th graders (and their parents). Transfer students and adult students are welcome to attend, too.

WHERE: NCC Spartan Center (main Bethlehem campus)

WHEN: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 6:30-8:30 PM

See you there!

NCC is 99% Smoke-Free -- And We Mean It!

bkwiatek — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:39:00 GMT

NCC is now 99% smoke-free. That leaves only 1% of the campus where you can smoke. And 1% isn't a lot.

Designated smoking areas will have a sign with a symbol of a lit cigarette with the words "allowed" underneath. Your other option is to smoke in your car (not on your car and not next to your car).

Violate the rule, and you may find yourself with a $100 fine. This applies to staff and faculty, too. To keep it simple (and possibly save yourself a hundred bucks), if you're not sure you're in a designated area, don't light up.

Pre-Med, Pre-Law and NCC

bkwiatek — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:52:00 GMT

During this year's recruiting season, I'll speak to more than a few students who ask if NCC offers a Pre-Med or Pre-Law major. What these students should understand is that if you want to become a doctor or lawyer, you won't "major" in pre-med or pre-law for your undergraduate degree. Instead, you'll major in a specific field and participate in a pre-professional program that recommends a variety of courses that medical or law schools require. You'll take these recommended courses in addition to the courses required for your declared major.

You can major in anything you want for your baccalaureate degree. Of course, most pre-med students major in Chemistry, Biology or Biochemistry because they have a passion for one of those fields and a science major's classes overlap nicely with the science classes in pre-med programs (the tried-and-true "kill two birds with one stone" approach). But I've known pre-med students who were Philsophy and Physics majors just because they liked those disciplines.

In fact, I knew a pre-med student who was an English major because he wanted to be able to quote T.S. Eliot to his future patients:

"Let us go then, you and I,/When the evening is spread out against the sky,/Like a patient etherised upon a table..."

OK, so he was an interesting character.

But by the same token, a pre-law student doesn't have to major in English or Philosophy. While these subjects often appear in pre-law programs, a pre-law student can major in Chemistry, History or Theater if he or she desires. You can easily imagine how knowledge in any of those fields could help you as a lawyer.

So pursue your passion, young future doctor or lawyer, and be excellent at what you do!

NCC offers a variety of transfer majors -- Chemistry, Biology, Liberal Arts or Theater, among many others -- for those of you planning to begin at a community college before transferring to a 4-year school, and then on to law or medical school. And don't forget to get involved in extracurricular activities. Med and law schools like to see well-rounded and community-minded applicants!

New Education Majors at NCC

bkwiatek — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:27:00 GMT

Education majors are among the most popular at NCC. We have a lot of students whose goal is to teach in public schools, parochial and private schools, as well as childcare centers and Head Start programs.

If that includes you, you probably already know that you'll need to have bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university in order to become certified to teach in Pennsylvania. What you may not know is that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has updated its certifications for new teachers. These changes go into effect in 2013; anyone graduating from a four-year college or university as a teacher in 2013 or later will apply for a teaching certificate based on the new system.

The new certifications are: Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4 (ages 3-9); Middle School Grades 4-8 (ages 9-14); Secondary Grades 7-12 (ages 11-21). Education majors will take different classes depending on which grade level they want to teach. For example, teachers up to grade 4 must have a number of classes specifically in Early Childhood Education in order to meet the new requirements. Teachers in higher grades must have more science and math credits than had been required previously.

Northampton is introducing new programs to match these new certifications: Early Childhood Education (Infant to Grade 4); Middle Level Education (Grades 4 to 8); and General Studies/Secondary Education Intent (grades 7-12). Choosing the appropriate major will start you on the path toward certification.

Of course, at this point many of you may not know which grade you want to teach. To help you make that decision, you can take EDUC115 (Education for All Students). This class explores all levels of teaching, from pre-K to high school. It also includes real-world experience by sending you out to observe first-hand the different classroom settings. Spend some time with second or tenth graders, and you'll know if you've found your calling (or not)!

If there's a specific subject you want to teach (English, math, science or social studies), you can consider teaching at either the middle or high school level. You'll notice that there's some overlap between the certifications, so if you want to teach science to 8th graders, you can be either Middle School or Secondary certified. Middle School certification will allow you to teach the last two grades of elementary school (4 and 5) and all the grades of middle school.

Some of you may not be interested in earning a bachelor's degree. Students can graduate with an associate's degree and meet the employment requirements for a number of education fields. The Early Childhood Education: Infant to Grade 4 program prepares students to work in childcare centers and Head Start programs. NCC's Special Education: Paraprofessional Training degree prepares you to work as a teaching assistant in the classroom.

Top 5 Reasons to Attend New Student Orientation

bkwiatek — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:46:00 GMT

OK, so you've applied to the college, sent your transcript, taken your placement test. Now you're ready to come to a New Student Orientation session.

"What's the point of that?" you ask. I'll give you five good ones:

5) You'll learn about the many FREE support services available at NCC, from the Learning Center to Counseling to Career Services.

4) You'll meet faculty who teach in your program and academic advisors to help you register for classes.

3) You'll understand what it takes to make the transition from high school to college.

2) You'll see the campus before the semester begins so you don't show up on the first day of classes, wandering around and looking completely lost.

1) You don't have a choice.

Attending Orientation is now mandatory for incoming freshmen because it's the first step toward academic success at NCC. Students who complete orientation are better informed, prepared and equipped with the right tools to begin college. And we've got the stats to prove it.

"Is It Too Late to Apply to NCC?"

bkwiatek — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:52:00 GMT

This is another one of my favorite questions because most of the time I get to tell people that it's not too late to apply.

Here at Northampton we can accept students up until the first week of the semester*. And we will have a few who walk through our door on the absolute last possible day to apply and register. But I don't recommend this for a couple reasons:

First, Financial Aid and Housing have hard deadlines even if we here in the Admissions office don't. If you think you can apply to NCC a week or two before the start of the semester AND get a Financial Aid package by the first day of classes, you're sadly mistaken.

Second, classes fill up pretty quickly around here. If you wait until the last minute, you're not going to have a lot of choices. The early bird gets the worm and all that.

When it comes to applying, sooner is better -- but better late than never. So if you wake up the morning after high school commencement and realize that you haven't applied to any colleges, our door is still open. If classes start in a week and you think you'd like to give college a try, come on in.

*Keep in mind that some programs (like radiography, culinary arts or automotive technology) have preferred application deadlines due to space limitations and/or special admissions requirements.

"Will My Credits Transfer?"

bkwiatek — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:36:00 GMT

Ahhh, if I had a dollar for every time a prospective student or parent asked me that question...well, I wouldn't be rich, but I'd probably have enough to cover lunch at a nice restaurant.

So here's the answer: definitely maybe.

I'm not trying to be funny or wishy-washy, but like all of life's other big questions, this one's complicated. It's impossible to say "yes" or "no" when there are several factors involved.

On the one hand, Northampton is regionally accredited, so other regionally accredited schools accept our credits. However, every school has its own policy regarding transfer credits. A standard requirement is that you get a C or higher (C-minus probably won't cut it).

Another requirement is that it's an equivalent course. It should cover similar concepts or information, and have the same credit value. For example, the English I you take here is essentially the same as the freshmen composition class offered elsewhere.

It's not always easy to determine if it's an equivalent course because the names or numbers probably won't be identical. Some schools that recruit a lot of transfer students make that information very accessible. Other schools may not. The Advising and Transfer Office at NCC is always here to help you research that information.

Another requirement is that the course is required for your major. Although every program includes some core classes that overlap, you can easily see that an Engineering major is taking very different courses than an English major. If you begin taking classes for Engineering but then switch to English, some of those science and math classes may not transfer.

(It's ok to change your mind and switch majors. That's what a lot of college students do, whether they're at community colleges or 4-year schools. And if you're going to be indecisive, it's better -- or at least less expensive -- to do it here than there.)

Bottom line, if you're hoping to transfer credits from NCC, there are some things you need to do:

1) get good grades

2) think about transfer schools and know their requirements sooner rather than later -- during your first or second semester at NCC is not too early!

3) meet with a Transfer Advisor at NCC who can help you identify equivalent courses before you register for them.

How to Get Along with Your Professors

bkwiatek — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:14:00 GMT

Remember when you were a little kid and you bumped into a teacher at the mall or a restaurant? Remember how weird that felt? Your little mind couldn't fathom that your teacher was a real person who didn't live at school.

Hopefully you now realize that teachers -- and college professors -- are real people. Just like you, we have likes and dislikes, strengths and shortcomings, good days and bad. Through it all, we try to remain professional. You need to do the same. Your future academic success depends on building good working relationships with your professors.

If you're wondering if grades really matter, then consider these questions: Do you want to learn new skills and perspectives? Do you want to get the most out of your time and money? Do you want to get into another school or an Allied Health program? Do you want your credits to transfer? Do you want to get financial aid?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, then you need to be concerned about doing well (and if you answered no, then maybe you might want to reconsider this whole college thing). So here are a few pointers:

1) Attend class. Woody Allen once said that "Eighty percent of success is showing up," and I tend to agree with him. It sounds so obvious but you'd be surprised how many students don't show up for class. Of course, don't just sit there taking up space and using up oxygen! Attending class means paying attention and participating in discussions in an informed way (and not in that I'll-feed-the-professor-some-BS way that fools no one).

2) Be prepared. Complete the assignments and make time to read and study so that you're able to participate in class and do well on exams. If your home or dorm room has too many distractions, then find a computer lab or quiet study space on campus where you can complete your work. Professors know who's working hard and who's slacking.

3) Blah blah blah blah blah. Just checking to see if you're paying attention.

4) Ask for help. One of the biggest responsibilities you'll have is to know when to ask for help. Most professors will commend you for it, too. By asking for assistance, you're telling the professor that the class is important to you. And if you're too shy to ask for help from your professor, then visit the Learning Center or participate in a study group.

5) Stay in touch. Visit your professor during his or her office hour if you need to discuss a problem or an assignment -- or just to check in and say hello. If you need to miss a class, email ahead of time -- or at least as soon as possible -- to explain your absence. These simple courtesies mean a lot.

6) Be polite. Silence your cellphone. Don't play on your laptop during class. Sheesh.

7) Don't plagiarise. Presenting another's work as your own is a huge ethical mistake, and you WILL get caught and your grade WILL suffer. And worst of all, your professor will really dislike you. Forever. We're like elephants: we never forget the students who thought so little of us and our class.

This entry makes me feel a little bit like Polonius (cue YouTube clip), but in my job I talk to WAY too many people who failed out of college the first time around and come back years later to get it right!

For Those of You Who Don't Know What You Want to be When You Grow Up

bkwiatek — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:43:00 GMT

It's hard enough knowing what you want to eat for dinner much less what you want to do with the rest of your life. Unfortunately, life doesn't come with a GPS that tells you how to get where you want to go.

NCC and the College Board can offer the next best thing. It's a free online site called MyRoad, and it can help you choose a career and find the best path to achieve it. You don't even have to apply to NCC to use it.

Here's how to get started:

1) Go to www.myroad.com and click "Sign Up Today"

2) Go to "School-based Subscriptions" and enter NCC's access code (ZZZ100) and click "Go"

3) At the "Sign In" page, go to "Already a Member?" (if you have a collegeboard.com account) or "Not a Member Yet?"

4) If you already have a collegeboard.com account, use your username and password to register for MyRoad

5) If you don't have a collegeboard.com account, create one through the "Not a Member Yet?" box. Enter the required account information and click "Submit"

That's all there is to it. Explore the site to discover careers that match your skills and interests, average salaries, career outlooks and more.

NCC and Jobs with a Bright Future

bkwiatek — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:02:00 GMT

In this economic climate, you may be exploring college majors that result in careers with a future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many of the fastest-growing occupations and those with the largest growth potential (2006-2016) also require a college degree. Below are some of those top jobs whose educational requirements can be completed or started at NCC (clicking on the job title will take you to the catalog description of the program).

Registered nurse (associate degree): 2007 annual average salary $62,480

Computer software engineer (bachelor's degree): 2007 annual average salary $85,660

Accountant (bachelor's degree): 2007 annual average salary $63,180

Elementary school teacher (bachelor's degree): 2007 annual average salary $50,040

Computer network systems analyst (bachelor's degree): 2007 annual average salary $70,960

Dental hygienist (associate degree): 2007 annual average salary $64,910

Veterinary technologist (associate degree): 2007 annual average salary $28,920

Keep in mind that those salaries are based on nationwide data, and may not reflect what one can make in the Lehigh Valley!

Just a Note to Our Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Students...

bkwiatek — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:10:00 GMT

We have many high school students who attend NCC through Dual and Concurrent Enrollment. A growing number of these students stay with NCC after graduating, and we're glad to have them.

If you attended NCC as a high school junior or senior and want to be here next fall as a college freshman, here's what you need to do: submit the Change of Major Request form to the Admissions Office and ask us to change your major from "high school student" to one of our programs for the upcoming fall semester.

Easy, right?

Well, pretty easy.

You just need to make sure that you submit the correct Change of Major form.

Submit this form if you want to be considered for one of the following majors: Architecture, Automotive Technology, Communication Design, Culinary Arts, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Early Childhood Education, Fine Art, Funeral Services, Medical Assistant, Nursing (RN and LPN), Radio/TV, Radiography, Surgical Technology, Theatre, Veterinary Technician. These are selective and special admissions programs with limited spaces and special requirements for getting in. Allied Health programs have deadlines, too.

Submit this form for any other major.

That's all there is to it.

NCC is for Academic Excellence

bkwiatek — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:19:00 GMT

Yesterday I met with a high school senior whose grades and SAT scores weren't high enough to get her into her first-choice school. Her dad, trying to be supportive, explained that she could come to Northampton for a year or two before transferring to "a real school."

His face reddened and he immediately apologized to me. Then he tried to explain himself: "Er, not that this isn't a real school, but, um, you know what I mean."

Yes, I know what he means. I also know that some people -- mostly parents and high school guidance counselors stuck in 1983 -- think that a community college is just for the students who can't get in anywhere else. The rest of us know better.

In 2009, Northampton can meet the needs of the most academically talented and ambitious.

If that describes you, you might be interested in knowing more about Northampton's Honors Program and the SMaRT Scholars program.

The Honors Program offers an enriched educational environment for the growing number of high-achieving students who are choosing NCC (maybe because smart people recognize a bargain when they see it). Being part of the Honors Program means choosing honors sections of classes like English I or Introduction to Philosophy. It also means becoming a member of a community of engaged learners in- and outside the classroom. And who doesn't love a good field trip every now and then?

Honors classes are challenging by design -- and stimulating by definition. They're not for everybody and, frankly, not everybody can take them. Students enrolling directly from high school must meet the placement requirements for English I and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 or rank in the top 20% of their class. If you don't quite meet those criteria, you can present a letter of recommendation from a faculty member, counselor or another person knowledgeable about your academic potential.

Students can graduate from the Honors Program by taking at least 4 honors classes (but don't let that stop you from taking more) and maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA (but don't let that stop you from shooting for the 4.0). Your official transcript will designate you as an Honors Program graduate. If your goal is to transfer to a highly selective college, graduating from the Honors Program will distinguish you from other applicants. Spaces for transfer students at exclusive schools are limited, and the Honors Program can give you an edge over the competition.

Regardless of your major or your long-term goals, you can make the Honors Program work for you. Look for an Honors Application in your acceptance packet or on the college website.

Another exciting initiatve at NCC is the SMaRT Scholars program. Funded by a National Science Foundation grant, SMaRT Scholarships are a great opportunity for incoming freshmen who intend to be full-time students majoring in one of NCC's Science, Math and Related Technology programs: "SMaRT," get it? Of course you do.

What are the benefits of participating in this program? We'll cover your full tuition, book costs and other expenses. Want more, do you? We'll throw in some mentoring and tutoring, plus academic and career support to help you achieve those lofty goals. SMaRT Scholars are members of an exclusive community of engaged learners -- kind of like those superstars in the Honors Program. And like the Honors Program, the SMaRT Scholarship is not for everybody. There are some eligibility requirements:

1) Apply to NCC as a full-time student in a SMaRT major. SMaRT majors are: Biological Science; Biotechnology; Chemical Technology; Chemistry; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Information Systems; Computer Information Technology; Computer Maintenance & Service Technology; Computer Science; Electrical Construction Technology; Electromechanical Technology; Electronics Technology; Engineering; Math/Physics; Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology; Optoelectronics Technology. Whew!

2) Have "financial need" as defined by the Financial Aid office. In order to demonstrate this, you'll need to submit your parents' information by applying for financial aid.

3) Be ready to take the lowest level math class for your major. Some majors require College Algebra (MATH140); others require Calculus (MATH180). Students MUST take the placement test to place into MATH180 (unless providing evidence of a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus exam).

4) Write a short essay that tells us about your career goals and how your chosen SMaRT major will help you accomplish them.

When we announced the SMaRT scholarship program last year, some people told us that we would NEVER be able to find enough students who meet all those requirements. "Some people" are wrong. In 2008, we awarded 20 NCC students with the scholarship. Maybe you can join them next year.

If the SMaRT Scholarship seems like an ideal match for your talents and needs, you can find a SMaRT application in your acceptance packet or apply online. We'd love to consider you for this exciting and exclusive opportunity -- priority will go to students who complete their applications by March 31!

(Just in case you're wondering, you can be both a SMaRT scholar and in the Honors Program. And how cool would that be?)