Counseling Department

Welcome to the Cardinal Ritter College Prep Guidance & College Counseling Department.

Announcements:

• Standardized Test Interpretation Night is February 8, 2012. You will receive your test score results and find out what your scores mean. Please make arrangements to attend. Location is in the commons and the session will begin promply at 6:30pm.
JUNIORS: Mandatory ACT registration MUST be done by March 9, 2012.  Students will have the opportunity to get this done during the academic day. IF, your child receives tuition assistance, he/she will be eligible to utilize a fee waiver for registration. Registration MUST be done on-line. Payment amount is $49.50 for ACT plus writing. Students will need to have credit/debit card information to successfully complete registration. Students can do this at home, on their own, however, they MUST submit a copy of their admissions ticket to Ms. Blackshear for confirmation of registration. If, you have any questions and/or concern, please call Ms. Blackshear at 314-446-5524. Registation dates at Cardinal Ritter will be February 9, 2012 during A2, and February 14, 2012 in February 14, 2012.

Any student or parent that did not attend the college planning meeting, can request the handbook and other materials given at the meeting. Contact Ms. Blackshear at 314-446-5524.

COLLEGE VISITS 2011-2012 COMING TO CRCP!!

Featured Month: February

College Visits to Cardinal Ritter Registration Information:

To register to attend a college visit, students must sign up in the College Visit Binder. Students must sign up no later than 2 days prior to the visit. This is so teachers are notified in advance which students will be attending the visit. However, it is the students responsibility to make up any missing assignments, tests, or quizzes missed while attending the visit. The College Visit Binder is located in the main office. Students will   receive a college visit worksheet on the day of the visit to jot down pertinent information presented or to prepare questions to ask the representative.  The college selection process should be taken seriously. Please DO NOT sign up for a college visit if maturation can not be displayed.

Parents are more than welcome to attend any of the scheduled college visits!!! Simply notify Ms. Blackshear via phone or e-mail requesting attendance to a college visit.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Scholarships For Minorities- www.blackexcel.org

*Missouri State University Applicants- Multcultural Leadership Scholarship-Deadline: Dec. 1

*Southeast Missouri State University Applicants- Jack Buck Scholarship -Deadline: Dec. 15

*Washington University Applicants- Danforth Scholars Program-Deadline: Oct. 15

2011-2012 John F. Kennedy Essay Writing Contest-www.jfklibrary.org Deadline: Jan 7

*Mizzou Applicants: George C. Brooks Scholarship- Deadline: Jan. 13

*Note: There are GPA and ACT requirements for scholarship.

2012 Horatio Alger Scholarship-www.horatioalger.org-Deadline: Oct 31

University of Kansas Applicants: Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) White Star Scholarship- Deadline: Feb. 1- Application available on the guidance board.

Vantage Credit Union Quest for Education Scholarship- Deadline Dec. 2 Hard copy available on guidance board or may download an application from www.vcu.com

The Big Sun Organization Scholarship for Athletes- Amount: $500 Deadline: June 22, 2012

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship Program-Open to high school seniors who have MS or a parent with MS. Amount-$1000-$3000. Deadline: January 13, 2012. On-line applications ONLY. To apply, please visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/scholarship

Bk Scholars- Burger King Scholarship

http://www.haveityourwayfoundation.org/bksp_scholarship_eligibility.html

Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants are pleased to be able to continue with our scholarship program for the 4 th year. We will be awarding up to $1,000 to the winner(s) each year. Open to Juniors and Seniors. Scholarship Deadline    -   June 15, 2012

Application Process
Students will submit an essay on the topi c that appears on the scholarship page of our web site:   http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm

Wake Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to attend its MBA program for FREE, and so far, the response has been very poor. This is a great school and a tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate school. See the details below, the contact
person is: Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, Rm. 3139 Worrell Professional Center, Babcock Graduate School of Management - Wake Forest University_ WINSTON_SALEM N.C 27109-8738 email: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu  or visit www.wfu.edu
phone# toll free (866) 925-3622

Black Male Teachers needed. Do you know any Black Males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The CALL ME MISTER program offered by 4 historical black colleges in South Carolina, Benedict College, Chaflin University, Morris College and South Carolina State University - visit the www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl  details online application or call 1.800.640.2657
 

Harvard University is offering free tuition to families of HONOR STUDENTS and their income is less than $125,000 per year. Visit www.fao.fas.harvard.edu call 617.495.1581.

Syracuse University School of Architecture is desperately seeking young women and men of color interested in pursuing a 5 yr. professional degree in Architecture. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean School of Architecture, 201 Slocum Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-1250 (315)443-256 www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php 

University of Dayton Applicants: Servant Leadership Contest Scholarship. For  more information visit the University of Dayton's website or www.facebook.com/univesityofdayton

Saint Louis University MLK Scholarship

Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation Scholarship- Amount $1,500 Deadline: Jan 14

2012 B. Davis Scholarship- Available to Juniors and Seniors- Amount $1,000 May 28, 2012

http://www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm

Rev. John E and Regina S. Nance Memorial Scholarship fund of the Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church- Available at CRCP Guidance Board-Deadline: January 31, 2012

Upsilon Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.- Application can be found on guidance board in the school.  Scholarship amount is $1,000.00. Requirements are 2.5 GPA, three letters of recommendation, essay, ACT scores, and a written statement explaining financial need.

The Best Buy Scholarships are available for students in grades 9-12 in the amount of $1,000. Student requirements are solid grades plus community service  or work experience. Apply at www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com.

The University of Great Falls has just announced a new full tuition scholarship for students from Catholic Highs schools. Successful candidates must have a 3.25 GPA or better, and/or an ACT score of 22 or better, and a SAT score of 1020 or better. For more information about this school and the scholarship visit www.ugf.edu
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The Missouri Insurance Education Foundation is awarding scholarships in the amount of $1,500 to Missouri graduating high school seniors who will be full-time students in an accreditied Missouri College or University AND with an interest or intent of pursuing an insurance, risk management, actuarial science, or related case of study. See the guidance board for an application. Application Deadline is March 31, 2012.

Electro Savings Credit Union account holders are eligible to apply for the Edward G. Halliburton Scholarship. Applications are available on the guidance board. Application Deadline: February 28, 2012.

Any student applying or planning to apply to Lindenwood University should apply for the Derrty ENT Black Student Union Black and White Ball Scholarship. Applications and information is available on the guidance board. Scholarship Amount: $7,500. Deadline is March 1, 2012.

Saint Xavier University Applicants: Saint Xavier is pleased to offer a Catholic High School Scholarship Competition for fall 2012. Scholarship amount: $500-$5,000. These scholarships are cumulative and will be added to any other merit-based scholarhsip. Students must go to www.sxu.edu, Keyword: Competition for more details, essay requirements, and essay submission. Deadline: March 1, 2012.

The APCA Asian Pacific Islander for Professional and Community Advancement of AT&T is granting  annual non-renewable scholarships to college bound students. They will be awarding (10) $2,000 scholarships to students who have a minimum GPA of a 3.2 and are of any ethnic or cultural background who plans to attend  an accredited college, 2 or 4 year, or vocational school. Applications are available on the guidance board.

The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is awarding 100 scholarships up to $25,000/year and 1,000 $2,000 scholarships to students who put forth effort to succeed in and out of the classroom, yet are unable to attend college without financial assistance. Visit www.buickachievers.com for more information and to apply. Application deadlineis February 29, 2012.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Saint Louis Alumnae Chapter Scholarship- Provides $1,000 one-year scholarships to African-American High School Seniors who plan to attend a 4-year college or university. For your convenience, the application is available on the chapter's official website. www.dst-sla.org. Deadline: Feb. 3, 2012.

COLLEGE FAIRS:

ADMISSION INFORMATION SESSIONS:

Admission Information Sessions are held by colleges and universities for parents and students to meet with a representative of of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Admissions officers will present information and answer questions about  the university, academic programs, campus life, the admissions process, financial aid, and much more. Some sessions require registration.  

Harris-Stowe State University's FAFSA FRENZY

Harris-Stowe State University is hosting FAFSA FRENZY on Sunday, February 12, 2012, from 2-4pm in the Southwestern Bell Library, located on the Harris-Stowe's main campus. At this event, students and families will be able to get free, on site, professional assistance with completing the FAFSA, opportunities to speak with professionals about financial aid resources, how to receive information regarding state-wide student services, and much more. FAFSA FRENZY events will be held thorughout the state, and the participants of these evenets will be eligible to win one of four $1,000 scholarshipg. Winners will receive their scholarship upon receipt of enrollment verification for the 2012 fall semester at a Missouri post-secondary institution.

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST PROCEDURE:

Students who are applying to colleges and/or universities will need an official transcript sent along with their admissions applications. Official Transcripts are $2.00 per transcript. Students or parents must fill out a TRANSCRIPT REQUEST form, located in the main office to have their transcript processed and mailed. The entire form must be completed prior to processing.  Tuition has to be current in order for transcripts to be released. 

FEE WAIVERS:

All Cardinal Ritter students are issued three (3) fee waivers to use when submitting college applications. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that the school that they are applying to accepts fee waivers. Also, students must make sure that the college and/or university does not have their own fee waiver form. If so, then the student must submit the provided form utilized by that school.

STUDENT PROGRAMS:

Walgreens/ St. Louis College of Pharmacy Careers Explorers Diversity Outreach Program

Walgreen's and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy will be hosting their annual Career Explorers Diversity Outreach Program. They will learn about the history of pharmacy, how to read prescription abbreviations, calculate dosages for prescriptions and fill prescriptions. They take hospital tours and participate in laboratory compounding exercises – developing medications such as lip balm, ointments and calamine lotion. Students will also alternate between STLCOP and St. Louis-area Walgreens stores, working as pharmacy technicians for 10 days. They also will work with mentoring Walgreens pharmacists to learn about the company and its pharmacy system. Students will receive a certificate of completion. If there is any student interested please see Ms. Blackshear for an application. They are available upon request ONLY! Open to Sophomores and Juniors.

Xavier University SuperScholar/EXCEL Program: Are you a rising high school senior who likes to EXCEL academically? If so, then the SuperScholar/EXCEL Summer Academy is for you. SuperScholar/EXCEL prepares African-American youth for college through standardized test preparation and non-credit courses that strengthen the students’ critical thinking, reading, writing, mathematics and oral presentation skills. SuperScholar/EXCEL is a strenuous 4-week program that promotes academic growth and exposes participants to social and cultural activities that highlight the unique flavor of the New Orleans metropolitan.

For more information and registration information vist:

http://www.xula.edu/gradstar/SS-EXCEL.php

Missouri Cadet Patrol Academy-Ms. Blackshear has applications for any student ages 16-18 that would like to enroll in the Cadet Patrol Academy of the Highway Patrol for the summer 2011. The Academy activities will include instruction in the history of Law
Enforcement, defensive driving, Radar, Motor Vehicle Laws, First Aid, Shooting
demonstrations, drug abuse, use of alcohol,  as well as personal defense and
weapons firing. Organized sports will also be a part of the program as well as
tours of Jefferson, Missouri. So, if you are interested please see Ms. Blackshear.
Application Deadline is March1, 2012.

COLLEGE COUNSELING AT CARDINAL RITTER HIGH SCHOOL

• The preparation for college actually begins upon entering Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School as a ninth grader. The formal college counseling process begins in the junior year and progresses through the senior year. A timeline chart follows this section, yet it is important that we reiterate certain facets of the college counseling process.

• Meetings, both individual and group, are an important means of disseminating information to you and your family on the college selection process.
• The Student Profile plays an important part of the college planning process. This is a vital tool for sharing your family's priorities and concerns with your college counselor.

• College admission representatives will visit Cardinal Ritter throughout the year. More than 40 colleges and universities visit each year. Meeting with these representatives will afford you the opportunity to have your individual questions addressed. Students must sign up the day before visiting the college. The sign in sheets are located in the Library and in the main office.

• Reminders about critical deadlines, colleges visiting Cardinal Ritter, the application process and are other aspects of college counseling.

• You will meet with your college counselor beginning in September of your senior year to finalize the list of schools to which you will apply. Application deadlines begin as early as late September for some scholarship programs. Being prepared and organized is imperative for this process.

• It is your counselor's role to provide the best support and advice to you and your families as you proceed through the college choice process. Part of this role includes being your advocate with the various schools in which you are interested. Your counselor will be in frequent communication with Deans and Directors of Admission to supply information about you and your application. Every application that you submit should include the Letter of Recommendation, written by your counselor or your teacher. Additional information on letters of recommendation is included in later sections. The Letter of Recommendation is a means of conveying to colleges and universities the individual you are beyond your grades and test scores. The Student Profile, Academic Resume, and teacher subject reports provide the basis for this letter. In addition to the Letter of Recommendation, your high school transcript, the Cardinal Ritter Secondary School Report, and the Cardinal Ritter School Profile will also be sent. It is strongly encouraged students submit a writing sample or samples whether the school requires one or not.

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