1. CLASS OF 2016 Parent Night September 23, 2015 Ms. Snelson, College Counselor erica.snelson@grandcenterartsacademy.org 314-533-1791 ext 6003 Mr. Smith, Guidance Counselor russell.smith@grandcenterartsacademy.org ext 6203 erica.snelson@grandcenterartsacademy.org russell.smith@grandcenterartsacademy.org

2. Guidance Counseling on the Website Current Students – Guidance Counseling Department Guidance (under construction) Assessment (under construction) College Counseling – http://www.grandcenterartsacademy.org/counseling- department/counseling-sub-page-1/ http://www.grandcenterartsacademy.org/counseling- department/counseling-sub-page-1/

3. Senior Year Assessments  ACT (Oct, Dec, Feb, April, June)  www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org  SAT (Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, March, May, June)  www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org  ASVAB –seniors  Spring 2016  COMPASS-selected seniors  Placement assessment for community college

4. College Readiness ACT English (21-College Readiness) Math (22-College Readiness) Reading (21-College Readiness) Science (24-College Readiness) St. Louis Community College An ACT score earned within the last three years documenting: A reading score of 18 or above to waive the reading test An English score of 18 or above to waive the writing test A math score of 23 or above to waive the math test **Remedial Courses/Pre-Requisites=courses but no earned credit

5. Dual Credit St. Louis University (1818) University of Missouri-St. Louis (CPE) – Bills come in student’s name – Pay attention to due dates so student doesn’t get dropped – Request transcripts from universities be sent to colleges of choice AP – Request scores be sent directly to colleges of choice by College Board

6. Job Readiness Opportunities Project Interface (Practical Art.5 credit) – 20 hours of job readiness training (GCAA) – 50 hours of on-job training Complete log Cadet Teaching (Elective.5 credit) – Paired with teacher – Classroom expectations Job Shadowing – Preapproval through counselor

7. College Searches There are numerous websites available to conduct free college searches – www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org – www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator – www.collegedata.com www.collegedata.com College Visits – 3 excused a year (documentation required) – Sign up on website and/or through admissions office College Representative Visits – Sign up with Snelson

8. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Paper vs On-line Applications – On-line is much more convenient and easy to track Application Fees – Most schools have application fees so be sure all schools your applying to have the program of study of your interest and you have/close to having all the admission requirements – Students with free/reduced lunch are eligible for fee waivers (See Ms. Snelson for waivers) **some schools might not accept application fee waivers at all Common Application www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org – One application (only use if there are more than 2 of your potential schools that use it) – MUCH longer application than traditional applications

9. College Athletics & Academic Eligibility 3 Separate College Athletic Associations NCAA (Division I,II, III) www.web1.ncaa.org www.web1.ncaa.org – Core GPA and ACT subscores determine eligibility NAIA www.playnaia.org www.playnaia.org – Must have 2 of 3 requirements: 18 ACT 2.0 Cumulative GPA 50% or higher class rank NJCAA (Community College) www.njcaa.org www.njcaa.org – ACT – High School Transcript **Students need to notify Ms. Snelson if this is an option ASAP**

10. SCHOLARSHIPS Merit Based Scholarships – Based on GPA/ACT/SAT/Rank – Start with colleges/universities you’ve applied for – Some with show up automatically on financial aid award letter but others you have to apply for Local Scholarships – Scholarship Foundation www.stlgraduates.org www.stlgraduates.org National Scholarship Searches – www.scholarpro.com www.cappex.com www.scholarpro.comwww.cappex.com – www.scholarships.com www.zinch.com www.meritaid.com www.scholarships.comwww.zinch.comwww.meritaid.com Place of Employment – Ask Human Resource with companies/organizations

11. A+ Program Free tuition at a Missouri community college and/or technical college Some Missouri schools give out scholarship money based on A+ eligibility status Requirements – U.S. citizen, permanent resident, lawfully present in US – A+ Agreement on file with GCAA College Counselor – Attend a designated A+ high school for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to graduation – Graduate with overall GPA of 2.5 or higher – At least a 95% attendance overall for grades 9-12 – Perform at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring/mentoring at GCAA 12 of 50 can be job shadowing – Good citizenship record – Proficient or Advanced on Algebra I End of Course Exam (EOC) Or a higher level DESE approved EOC in the field of Mathematics, score of a 42 on the Mathematics portion of the COMPASS, 22 Mathematics subscore on the ACT **Appeals can be made with GCAA’s College Counselor**

12. Important Dates MOACAC Performing and Visual Arts College Fair Sunday, October 4 from 1pm-3pm at Webster University-Grant Gymnasium STL College Fair (field trip) Thursday, October 15 at the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club NACAC College Fair Sunday, October 18 from 1pm-4pm at SLU’s Simon Recreation Center Register at www.gotomyncf.comwww.gotomyncf.com

13. Announcements Sign up to get text messages/emails directly from Ms. Snelson about upcoming events and deadlines – Text Messages Text the number: 81010 Message: @mssnelson – Emails Send an email to mssnelson@mail.remind.commssnelson@mail.remind.com Leave subject and message blank