As an AmeriCorps program and a partner of the national College Advising Corps, MCAC hires and places recent college graduates to serve students in partner high schools across Missouri. Our mission is to empower Missouri students to go to college and succeed. MCAC partner schools have high percentages of first-generation-college, low-income, and underrepresented students at risk of not going to college. MCAC college advisers help students understand that they can complete a college degree, find their “best fit” postsecondary institution, and navigate the process of applying for admission and financial aid. Advisers are immersed in the school and guide students through the college planning and preparation, applications, and financial aid processes. Activities provided by MCAC are unique from those generally provided by other college access programs: - Working alongside counselors, MCAC advisers, model that college is within reach; - Because of the near-peer approach, MCAC advisers uniquely interact with and relate to students; - MCAC advisers devote full-time attention to college advising and are immersed in the school; - MCAC advisers and advisement is made available to ALL students in the school; - MCAC helps students find their “best-fit” postsecondary institution and does not recruit for any one institution; - MCAC concentrates its efforts in both urban and rural areas of the state.