FZW Seniors Class of 2017

1. FZWSeniors 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. 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 Graduation Requirements

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. 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) Cum Laude Honors System

8. University of Missouri-St. Louis Missouri Baptist St. Louis University 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 Enrollment for College Credit Classes in High School

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. 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 2ndsem 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 Early Graduation vs. Early Release

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 2016-17 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 • SCC09/22/16 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. CollegeApplications

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 • NOtranscript 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] • www.fafsa.ed.gov • 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, $500.00 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 www.fz.k12.mo.us (also emailed) • 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.