Course schedules at GSA maximize student exposure to different facets of their chosen art forms. By participating fully in the wide variety of experiences offered to them through their departments, students can discover their learning styles, develop new interests, cultivate existing interests and talents, and realize their potentials for rewarding careers.

Time management is vitally important to GSA students. Deadlines are manageable when anticipated and planned for. Department Chairs and instructors create and maintain deadlines to enable students to practice accountability; a calendar can be a student's most important school supply. Department chairs and instructors empower students through the delegation of responsibilities. They offer information on summer program opportunities and college and university curricula as well as other training opportunities.

Throughout the GSA curriculum, national and local professionals serve as an introduction to careers in their fields through an extensive visiting artist and master class program. In addition, students are encouraged to access online career searches such as, but not limited to, collegeboard.com and review.com.

While the coordination of college and scholarship applications are the responsibility of the team of student, parent and home school counselor; GSA Department Chairs and instructors as well as the Assistant Director are available to assist as appropriate. GSA Department Chairs share online resources. They alert students to articles about interesting new venues to investigate. They advise students to read college catalogues and other materials. They encourage students not to discard any choice because it is new or because the fees seem prohibitive. Over 50% of college students receive some kind of financial aid.

The college acceptance and career development processes require continuing and coordinated attention. Students must recognize the importance of grades in ALL subjects. The need to be cognizant of the importance of community service and leadership activities throughout high school. In keeping with the GSA goal to instill in students the desire to use their talents in service to others, Department Chairs encourage students to keep a running record of their volunteer performances and service, as well as any leadership responsibilities they may have assumed.

Students are encouraged to maintain records of performances, to develop professional portfolios, and to prepare for auditions, depending upon their art forms. GSA Department Chairs take an active roll in these preparations.

Department Chairs provide names of alumni to the Assistant Director for inclusion GSAlumNetwork. Chairs invite alumni to visit the school to talk with students. Chairs facilitate on-site visits to alumni at post-secondary institutions and performing venues. They encourage current GSA students to attend classes and schedule auditions and admissions interviews when possible. On-site audition is preferable whenever possible.

Find out if the home school participates in the ACCESS program of the Tidewater Scholarship Foundation. If so, be certain to take full advantage of the services offered.

Investigate opportunities for summer programs of value to personal and artistic growth and leadership development. Apply as appropriate. GSA chairs and faculty are available to help with this.

Begin consideration of the appropriate post-secondary training for individual interest and talents. Consult with department chairs and instructors about choices. Investigate the various advantages of conservatories versus more traditional educational college and university programs, as well as direct entry into the art field (i.e. dance companies, touring shows).

Begin collecting, building, and documenting student accomplishments in a portfolio.

Summer

Include visits to programs of interest at colleges, conservatories and other professional venues in the vicinity of family vacations. Plan these visits in advance so that tours can be arranged. Utilize GSA AlumNetwork to meet GSA graduates who can provide information.

Attend summer school as necessary to meet graduation requirements.

October. Take PSAT at home school.

Attend college fairs in your interest area, i.e. local venues, Kennedy Center and Corcoran Portfolio Day.

Investigate colleges to determine requirements.

Investigate opportunities for summer programs of value to personal and artistic growth and leadership development. Apply as appropriate.

May or June. Take Advanced Placement or SAT II exams in courses completed. Continue to add to the portfolio of accomplishments.

Summer

Include visits to programs of interest at colleges, conservatories and other professional venues in the vicinity of family vacations. Plan these visits in advance so that tours can be arranged. Utilize GSA AlumNetwork to meet GSA graduates who can provide information.

Attend summer school as necessary to meet graduation requirements.

October. Take PSAT at home school.

Think about which teachers would be good choices to write recommendations.

Get to know home school counselor even better. Develop familiarity with home school's application process for colleges and scholarships.

Investigate opportunities for summer programs of value to personal and artistic growth and leadership development. Apply as appropriate.

Investigate colleges to determine requirements.

Discuss with family how to pay for college, university or conservatory.

Prepare and register for SAT I, ACT and SAT II as appropriate.

Remember the importance of rigorous high school course work senior year.

Continue to add to the portfolio of accomplishments.

Summer

Formulate rough drafts of essays for college and scholarship applications Use vacation time for research to determine to which colleges to apply.

Decide from whom to request recommendations. When requesting recommendations, it is appropriate to provide a stamped envelope addressed to the person and the organization for which the recommendation is destined well in advance of the deadline date. Busy adults who will write these recommendations also appreciate a polite reminder as well as a thank you note.

Attend summer school as necessary to meet graduation requirements.

Students utilize information provided by department chairs who serve as the 1iaison for scholarship communications received by the GSA office.

Students contact department chairs and/or faculty to write recommendations.

Students request applications from colleges or to find on-line application data.

Students work with department chairs as necessary to complete applications for colleges and scholarships carefully and on time.

Students search through home school scholarship files for appropriate applications, using ACCESS advisors where applicable.