Viz US Counseling News

• February 14: National ACT Test Date
• February 27: Deadline to register for March 14 SAT
• March 6: Deadline to register for April 11 ACT
• March 14: National SAT Test Date
• March 24: Juniors will take the ACT @ Viz
• April 11: National ACT Test Date
• April 30: Juniors may elect to take the SAT @ Viz
• May 2: SAT National Test Date
• June 6: National SAT Test Date
• June 13: National ACT Test Date

Individual Course Selection Meetings

Students in grades 9–11 are currently meeting with their counselor to review and finalize their course selections for the 2026–2027 school year. These meetings are designed to ensure each student’s course plan aligns with her interests, graduation requirements, and future academic goals. Parents can view their daughter’s course requests in the portal. The deadline for students to change their course requests is March 24.

Course Prerequisite Appeals and Contracts:

Students who do not meet a course prerequisite may appeal for placement. If the appeal is not initially approved, the student and parent will need to schedule a contract meeting with the department chair to discuss the expectations and demands of the course. If, after that meeting, the student and parent would still like the student to be enrolled, they may sign a contract for placement. Important Dates:

• February 27: Deadline for students to contact department chairs to schedule a contract meeting.
• March 12: Deadline for student and parent contract meetings with department chairs
• March 13: Student deadline to submit the signed contract

Helpful Links:
2026-2027 US Program of Studies
Class of 2027 Planning Worksheet
Class of 2028 Planning Worksheet
Class of 2029 Planning Worksheet

Every Junior will have the opportunity to take the ACT and SAT at Visitation this spring. These events are optional and require an additional fee. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify.

ACT on Tuesday 3/24 (Juniors)

• Paper and pencil exam

• Includes English, Math, Reading and Science sections

• Register with Viz (not ACT) here

SAT on Thursday 4/30 (Juniors)

• Digital exam

• Includes English & Reading, and Math sections

• Register with Viz (not College Board) here

In addition to enjoying some downtime and having fun with family and friends, summer is a perfect time for students to gain exposure to different college majors and career paths while also building their resume to show prospective colleges their commitment to being involved in activities and to being a learner outside of school.

Here are examples of things students often do in the summer to explore colleges and careers, meet new people, and continue their academic and/or personal growth. Knowing that no type of activity is better than another, students should engage in something meaningful to them.

• Participate in a specialized high school program
• Get involved with community service
• Conduct research
• Take a class
• Participate in an internship
• Get a job

Did you know that AI-enabled scams are becoming increasingly common, including hoax calls that can sound convincingly like a loved one in distress? We wanted to share this information so you can stay informed and alert. Below is an article about a St. Louis area family that was targeted, along with tips from law enforcement to help protect your family from similar scams.

Junior Jumpstart at Washington University

Are you a junior interested in applying to Washington University? If so, consider joining their Office of Undergraduate Admissions Junior Jumpstart! This special programming for high school juniors will be offered on February 20, 2026. Your visit will include:

• An Admissions and Aid Presentation
• A Session on Selective College Admissions
• An Academic Division Overview
• A Student-led Campus Tour

Space is limited, so be sure to register early.

Register for February 20

University of Memphis, University of Louisville, University of Cincinnati and Drake University Admissions Event for Juniors on Monday, February 23 from 6:30-8:00

High school juniors from the St. Louis region are invited to an energizing and informative preview night designed to help you chart your next big step. Representatives from the University of Memphis, University of Louisville, University of Cincinnati, and Drake University (in Des Moines, Iowa) will be on hand to share what makes their campuses stand out.

You’ll learn about academic programs, scholarships, student life, and the admissions process, all in one place. This is your chance to ask questions and start shaping your college journey with confidence. Junior Preview Night brings four dynamic universities together so you can explore possibilities, discover new paths, and get excited about what comes next. Click here to register.

While most scholarships are awarded by the colleges to which students apply, thousands of scholarships are also offered by external agencies and organizations. Below are a few websites to help guide your search. Deadlines vary, and new scholarships will be added throughout the year, so be sure to check back regularly!

St. Louis Area Scholarships:

https://stlouisgraduates.academicworks.com/opportunities

https://stlgives.org/community-impact/scholarships/

National databases:

Fastweb: https://www.fastweb.com/

College Board’s Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search Going Merry: https://goingmerry.com/

Peterson’s: https://www.petersons.com/scholarship-search.aspx

Sallie Mae: https://www.salliemae.com/scholarships/search/

Unigo: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships

The Visitation Academy Counseling website also has information about scholarship opportunities. This information is updated as we receive it. Viz Scholarship Information

Stephanie Sparks, 9th Grade Counselor (all)

Karen Verstraete, 10th-12th Grade Counselor (A-G)

Mary Bodlovich, 10th-12th Grade Counselor (H-M)

Chrissy Boyce, 10th-12th Grade Counselor (N-Z), Counseling Department Chair

Meghan Swaller, Counseling Department Coordinator