Virtual College Fairs
GPACAC/Strivescan Virtual College Fair
Sunday, February 21
1:00-1:45 PM CST
To kick off the fair, you can attend a panel of college admissions professionals sharing advice and recommendations. Topics will include the future of standardized tests, the impact of COVID on colleges and college admissions, and advice for researching colleges and determining a fit. The panelists below will share perspective and insight on the broad picture of college admissions and higher education.
For more details and to register, visit: https://www.strivescan.com/gpacac/
EducationQuest Virtual College Fair
March 2-3
Schedule:
Tuesday, March 2, 9:00 a.m.- Noon CT. Students can visit college booths, chat with college reps, and view these live presentations:
- Junior Check-In – 10:30-11:00 a.m. CT - Juniors will learn how to research colleges, schedule campus visits, and start their scholarship search.
Wednesday, March 3, 5:00-8:00 p.m. CT. Students and parents are encouraged to visit college booths and view this live presentation:
- FAFSA FAQs for Seniors and Parents - 6:00-6:30 p.m. CT - This session will address common questions from those who haven’t yet completed the FAFSA, and those who already have.
All college-prep presentations will be recorded for later viewing.
|
|
College Representatives Visiting Mercy
Colleges & universities USUALLY send representatives to high schools to visit with prospective students. These meetings are a great way to learn about the school, get materials, and ask questions. This year, these visits will be done virtually.
Procedures for visiting with the college reps this year:
-
Sign up IN NAVIANCE!!! Don't know how to access Naviance? See your counselor ASAP.
- If you have a study hall during the visit time, please come to the counseling office for the meeting.
- If you are at home and have study hall, you will Zoom from home.
- If you have class during the visit time, a recording will be sent to you after the meeting.
To view the full rep visit schedule, log on to your Naviance account. On your home page, right side, under ‘What’s New’ visits will be listed by the date they scheduled their visit. If you click on the ‘Colleges’ and click on ‘Colleges Home’, on the bottom left side will be a full list by visit date.
Here are a few of the currently scheduled appointments:
Tuesday, February 16
Missouri Western - 2:11 PM
Tuesday, February 23
Wayne State College - 11:38 AM
UNL - 1:20 PM
|
|
Spring College Planning Checklist
_____ Investigate summer experiences, including summer school, & college sponsored workshops
_____ Attend a virtual college fair
_____ Prepare for the ACT/SAT
_____ Take ACT/SAT
_____ Select appropriate senior year courses to meet college requirements
_____ Visit colleges you might want to attend
_____ Register for demanding courses
|
|
 |
ACT / SAT Application Fee Waivers
As you begin to plan your college admission testing timeline, keep this in mind… if you believe you meet the federal guidelines to qualify for free/reduced lunch, you can receive two ACT fee waivers. The income eligibility guidelines can be found at this link. If you believe you meet these guidelines, please see your school counselor prior to registering for the ACT and/or SAT to receive a fee waiver. Each waiver can only be used once, so you will need to obtain a second waiver to register for the second time.
ACT Prep Opportunities
On To College (aka) John Baylor – You have access to all of the On To College prep materials, additionally, starting on February 23 you will be participating in live sessions with John and his crew.
start preparing now at ontocollege.com
You can also use your Pre-ACT test book and score report to prepare for the ACT.
|
|
|
|
2021 ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
April 17 Test at MERCY!!!
Register by: March 12 if you didn't finish your registration when the counselors came to your English class
June 12 Test - Register by: May 7
July 17 Test - Register by: June 18
2021 SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
March 13 Test - Register by: Feb. 12
May 8 Test - Register by: April 8
June 5 Test - Register by: May 6
|
|
|
|
College Summer Programs
These programs offer a great opportunity to earn college credit, get your foot in the door at a highly selective school, or just have a great learning experience. Stop by the Counseling Office if you want more information about the following programs:
Boston Universities: Boston College, Boston University, MIT, Northeastern University, Tufts University, Cambridge, La Academica de Barcelona, La Academia de España, L’Académie de Paris, L’Académie de France, New York Universities: Barnard, Brown, Columbia, NYU, Penn, Yale, Oxford, St. Albans School of Public Service, UCLA, Washington University (St. Louis)
This is not an all-inclusive list. If you are interested in a school not listed above, please visit their website.
|
|
This award-winning, FREE program is designed to teach business, leadership and networking skills to students, expose them to future careers and prepare them for the college search. The academy empowers rising high school seniors to experience college, meet professors, discuss areas of business and career skills, explore college majors and college resources and discover their strengths through hands-on projects.
The academy will be held July 18-22, 2021. Those who apply by Friday, April 9, should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Current high school junior with a 2.5 GPA or higher OR First-generation college student OR Qualifies for free and reduced lunch program
- As well as: Experience with diverse communities and an interest in business
Attending the DREAMBIG Academy will qualify students for the Nebraska Emerging Leaders Scholarship, worth $8,000 over the course of four years.
|
|
|
COLLEGE VISITS TIPS
- Schedule a visit and meet with an admissions counselor and other personnel of the institution (i.e. faculty, coaches, financial aid officer). These information sessions will assist you in learning about academic programs and college life. The admissions counselor will serve as your direct contact with the college. In fact, your counselor will assist you step-by-step in your college planning process. Take advantage of this service.
- Take a tour of the campus to acquaint yourself with the institution’s history and facilities, including residential housing. Often tours are conducted by students who will give you the real scoop of what it’s like to be a student.
- Eat in the college’s cafeteria and take this opportunity to ask questions of students whom you see.
- Visit a class to get a sense of how it feels to be in a classroom setting. Consider a class within the major you may be considering.
- Inquire about student activities and opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth. Although a strong academic program is important, extra-curricular programs make for a more well-rounded individual. An important part of learning is not always in a classroom setting.
|
|
|
|
CLASS RANK, SCHOLARSHIPS, & COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Juniors have started what may be the most critical semester of their high school career. Many college admissions and scholarship awards will be decided based upon class rank and performance as it stands at the end of junior year! Please keep this in mind this semester to make sure your transcript reflects what you want colleges to see.
|
|
Mercy High Counseling Staff
(402) 553-9424
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
