1. FZW Seniors Class of 2017

2. Guidance Counselors
Mrs. Hutson A – K
Mr. Smith L – Z

3. Guidance Staff
Mrs. Lorraine Richard—Scholarship & Financial Aid Secretary
Mrs. Natalie Fee—Registrar
Mrs. Pam Ingmire—Secretary
Mrs. Peggy Russell—Clerk
Mrs. Melissa Tichy—Crisis Counselor

4. I. What Must I Do to Graduate?

5. Graduation Requirements
Requires 24 Credits
Including the following:
4 English
3 Math
3 Social Studies
3 Science
1 PE
0.5 Health
0.5 Personal Finance
0.5 Practical Art
1 Performing Art
US & MO Constitution

6. How Many Credits Do You Have?
Look at your last report card or transcript for cumulative credits and cumulative GPA
Check required courses
SAVE to use when filling out applications
Talk to your counselor if you are short on credits

7. Cum Laude Honors System
Requirements:
Must take a minimum of six academic classes your Senior year, with the seventh hour being a non-credit bearing, on campus assignment.
GPA will include all courses taken in high school.
Recognition:
4.2 and above = Summa Cum Laude
(Gold medallion)
4.0 – 4.19 =
Magna Cum Laude
(Silver medallion)
3.80 – 3.99 =
Cum Laude
(Bronze medallion)

8. Enrollment for College Credit Classes in High School
Must have cum GPA of 3.0 or higher (to take for college credit)
College reps. will provide information in classrooms
UMSL, SLU, & MO Baptist registration forms are due September 13 to the Guidance Office
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Missouri Baptist
St. Louis University

9. Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
AP Language & Composition
AP Literature & Composition
AP World History
AP Statistics
AP Computer Programming
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics 1:Algebra-Based
AP U.S. Government & Politics
Information on AP exams will be available in March.
Exams are given in May.

10. Early Graduation vs. Early Release
Completed Application due to Guidance by 11/1
Must have 24 credits at end of 1st semester
Leave school at end of
1st semester
Graduate with class in May
Must be enrolled in college 2nd sem or working full time
Completed Application due to Guidance by 11/1
Attend partial day during 2nd semester (min. of 4 hours )
Graduate with class in May
MSHSAA requires min of 3.0 credits =6 classes to participate in athletics or other competitive activities

11. II. What Are My Options After High School Graduation?

12. A. College

13. B. Technical Schools Information available in the Career Center
Discuss with your counselor
Visit schools that interest you

14. C. Military
Information of all branches of the military in the Career Center
Recruiters Visit Monthly (sign up)
APPLICATION for the ACADEMIES should be completed ASAP

15. D. Work

16. III. How Do I Choose a College?

17. Anyone Can Go To College
Need a high school diploma or HiSet
May need a specific ACT score and/or GPA

18. ACT/SAT
ACT flyers with dates and registration packets are available in the guidance office.
The next test dates are September 10th and October 22nd. The cost is $42.50 or $58.50 if you take the writing portion.
Registration deadline for the October test is September 16th (Standby for September date)
Required to upload a photo for ID purposes when registering for ACT.

19. ACT Prep: West High Prep Class
Offered at West High School to prepare for October test date
Class will start in late September and run for 4 weeks
Cost is $90
Registration forms will be available in guidance.

20. ACT Prep: ZAPS 2-Day Class
Also offered at West High through ZAPS, condensed course
Classes are October 12th from 3:00-5:30 & October 13th from 12:00 – 2:30.
Cost is $84.99
Information is mailed to all seniors & in guidance office

21. Attend Presentations-- Sign up for College Representative and/or Military Visits
Gray binder on table as you enter guidance office & list is posted on Guidance window
Must sign up one day in advance

22. Visit the School You Are Considering

23. Upcoming College Fairs
SCC 09/22/16
6:00-7:30 pm
SLU 10/16/16
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Webster University 9/25/16
Performing/Visual Arts
1:00 – 3:00 pm

24. IV. College Applications

25. Where Do I Get College Applications?
Apply on
college websites
Common Application

26. Online Applications
Let your counselor know when you have applied online by completing the orange on-line transcript request form in the guidance office.
If applying by means of the Common Application, you must also check with specific university’s website for supplemental application.

27. Recommendation Letters
Some admission or scholarship applications may require a recommendation letter
Ask, “Are you willing to write a letter for me?”
Give adequate time to complete the letter (at least two weeks)
Give pertinent information to be included in letter

28. Application Deadlines
Pay close attention to deadlines when applying. Try to have your application completed at least one week BEFORE the application date.
Some scholarships and housing contracts are based on date of application OR admission.

29. Transcript Release Form
For transcripts to be released to colleges and/or the NCAA, we must have a signed release form on file
Parent must sign if students are under the age of 18
NO transcript can be sent without this form
Turn In ASAP

30. V. Scholarships and Financial Aid

31. Scholarships Based On…
Academics (GPA, Class Rank, and/or ACT)
Athletics
Activities or Talents
Community/School Involvement
Need (Family Income)

32. What Scholarships Are Available?
Many scholarships are offered by the individual colleges or universities.
There are also national and locally sponsored scholarships available.
Most local scholarships applications are available second semester.

33. Financial Aid/FAFSA Workshop
Tuesday, October 11th at 7:00 pm
West High School Auditorium
For Parents and Students

34. FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid]
Open on October 1st.
Will use 2015 tax information from parents & student.

35. A+ Program Seniors must sign up by September 10.
Students must graduate with 95% attendance, earn a 2.5 GPA, proficient score on Algebra I EOC (or DESE equivalent) and complete 50 hours of tutoring.
All tutoring hours and paperwork must be completed by May 1, 2017.

36. Grow Your Own Teachers Program
Identify students who are interested in pursuing careers in teaching in high need areas
High need areas include:
Special Education
Industrial Technology
High School Science
High School Math
High School Foreign Language
ELL

37. Grow Your Own Teachers Program--Benefits
Seniors may currently apply for financial assistance in the form of a forgivable loan in the amount of $3,000 per semester for up to eight (8) semesters total (For A+ students attending SCC, $ per semester for 2 yrs.)
Components of the program include seminars, work experience, mentor support, job placement, and possible financial assistance
Application Deadline is October 1
Applications are available online
See Mrs. Baker in Guidance if interested

38. Senior Newsletter
Available the first week of each month—copies can be picked up in the Guidance office or available at (also ed)
National and local-sponsored scholarship listings
Missouri college application deadlines
A+ Information
ACT Information
Event Dates (College Planning Night, etc.)
College visit dates
(students must sign up one day prior)
FAFSA information

39. Appointment with Counselor
If you would like more information on your future plans, sign up to see your counselor.
When you make an appt. to see your counselor, please ask your teacher for a pass to Guidance .

40. QUESTIONS
If you have additional questions or concerns, please ask your counselor during your individual appointment

41. Have a Great Year! Do all the things you need to do…
For graduation and preparation for life after high school.