FAQ

Can I return to my own high school?

Many applicants do return to their alma mater to serve, and an applicant's preferences for placement are taken into consideration. Decisions about placement are made by an ASC admissions committee in concert with the principals of the schools. The more flexibile applicants are about their service site, the more likely they are to be accepted into the program.

How many applications are accepted each year?

There is not a firm number for how many will be accepted, since the needs of the schools vary each year. The program usually places between 10-15 volunteers at the five domestic schools of the Missouri Province.

Can I apply if I attended a Jesuit high school outside the Missouri Province?

The ASC is a collaborative between the Jesuits of the Missouri Province and the Jesuit schools of the Missouri Province. However, applications are considered from graduates of any Jesuit high school.  

What are you looking for in the application?

The ASC is looking for graduates of Jesuit high schools who have a desire to give back for what they received in their Jesuit education. Men and women who have internalized the "Grad at Grad" are encouraged to apply.

Would I be able to defer my student loans?

Most ASC volunteers have no trouble deferring Federal student loans, e.g. Stafford, but applicants should research how best to defer or manage non-federal loans while applying to ASC. The demands of the year of service are such that volunteers do not have time to work another job.

Do I have to be a practicing Catholic to be an ASC volunteer?

At its core the ASC is a volunteer experience that finds its source and summit in Ignatian spirituality. ASC volunteers gather weekly with the Jesuit community for Mass and dinner, and commit themselves to growing spiritually throughout the year by living simply and within a community of other ASC volunteers. Volunteers also make 4 retreats throughout the course of the year.  Volunteers must be open to a Eucharistic spirituality grounded in the Jesuit tradition.

What should I do with my car during the ASC year?

ASC volunteers share a community car provided by the school along with insurance and a gas card that can only be used for the community car. If volunteers bring their own car to the ASC community they must pay all related expenses, including insurance.  

Is ASC just for men?

Although the majority of ASC volunteers in the past have been men, women who have graduated from a Jesuit high school are encouraged to apply.

What should I expect in the interview?

Within two weeks after receiving all application materials (application, background investigation consent, high school and college transcripts, and at least 3 references) ASC will contact the applicant about the possibility of an interview. Interviews typically last between 1 to 2 hours and consist of questions and conversation loosely structured around themes from the "Grad at Grad".

When does the ASC year begin and end?

The dates for the two week summer orientation are tentatively scheduled for July 6-19, 2009. The move-in and move-out dates for each community are determined in conversation with the school's principal. The ASC year concludes with a wilderness retreat in Colorado scheduled for Friday, May 29 through Monday, June1, and with the completion of responsibilities entrusted to the volunteer by the school.