North County Christian School

Spring break, March 19-23, 2012

• Take the opportunity to visit some colleges and universities while you are traveling on vacation or plan some day trips just for that purpose.  Better yet, arrange to stay overnight with a college friend whose school is not on break.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

• ZAPS ACT training, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.  Five hours of test-taking strategies and practice for the ACT, plus lots of great materials, $65.  We have timed this workshop to prepare students for the April 14 ACT test date.

Other Options for ACT Prep

• Copies of ACT’s “Preparing for the ACT” booklet, are available in Counselor’s office, for any student who wants one.
• ACT has an online prep program that can be purchased for $19.95 at http://www.actstudent.org/onlineprep/index.html
• St Louis Community College offers a 4-week ACT prep class (EDUC 712).  It’s a non-credit community education class that cost about $150.  You can register online at http://classes.stlcc.edu/ClassSchedule/Term_Search.asp

Summer —Things to do

• Take a class at a community college for dual enrollment.
• Many universities (UM-St Louis, UM-Columbia, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Ranken Technical College, etc.) have a variety of free or low-cost summer programs, some of which are residential.  Registration usually begins in the spring, and the more popular ones will fill up quickly.   This is a great way to get on a campus and have a taste of college life, which is a huge benefit to students when they are actually making the college decision.  Call Mr. Pflederer for more information.
• Do significant community service in some area that you are passionate about or that is related to your career choice
• Visit and tour college campuses as you travel
• Work and save your money for a good laptop computer that you could take to college with you

College Information

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->Missouri Connections (www.missouriconnections.org) is a massive website that includes online interest inventories and searchable databases of degrees and certifications, occupations and colleges.  All NCCS students will be introduced to this resource sometime during the year.  Let me know if you need help getting signed on.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·        <!--[endif]-->College Confidential (www.collegeconfidential.org) is a good clearinghouse of up-to-date information about colleges.  If you are the parent of a high school student, spend some time soon at the website.  The site is free and absolutely full of articles and links for rankings, financial aid, tips for the college search, and what students and parents are talking about now. 

Other Options for ACT Prep

• Copies of ACT’s “Preparing for the ACT” booklet, is available for any student who wants one in Counselor's office.
• ACT also has an online prep program that can be purchased for $19.95 at http://www.actstudent.org/onlineprep/index.html
• St Louis Community College offers a 4-week ACT prep class (EDUC 712).  It’s a non-credit community education class that cost about $125.  You can register online at http://classes.stlcc.edu/ClassSchedule/Term_Search.asp
• Many students would benefit from an ACT workshop.  There are lots of test-taking strategies that might help students improve their scores.
  • Another one I know of that is pretty reasonable ($20) is at Webster University on five different Saturday dates this school year, October through April.   It’s a 6 ½ hour workshop—well worth $20. For more information and to register online, go to http://explore.webster.edu/actworkshop.asp