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Juniors

 

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Throughout the year:

  • Focus on your academics! Junior year is important and tends to be the most challenging. It is also a time when students reach a peak in stress. Prioritize your academics and your mental health!
  • Learn new time management and study skills. Junior classes have increased demands and require lots of time and effort.
  • Maintain your involvement in clubs, sports, and activities that you enjoy.
  • Be aware of your emotions and seek help and support when necessary.
  • Use Xello and CollegeBoard for college research and planning.
  • Visit your counselor! Email your counselor if you need to set up a meeting.

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  • Take the PSAT in October to enter into the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
  • Attend the UCS Financial Aid Night - this is optional and more directed toward seniors, but juniors may benefit as well.
  • Meet with your counselor to check-in on your academic progress.
  • Create an Educational Development Plan (EDP) on Xello.
      • Counselors will work with students to update their EDP through Xello.
      • Xello provides matchmaker quizzes that can help students identify a potential career field.

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  • Choose your senior year classes!
      • Counselors will work with students in February/March to choose senior classes.
      • Students should appropriately challenge themselves given their goals.
      • Refer to EDP via Xello to look at educational goals for fields you are interested in.
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  • Take the SAT, Workkeys, and M-Step as part of the MME in April.
  • Attend the UCS College Fair in the Spring during UCS College Fair Week.
  • Consider registering for UCS Summer School to make-up classes or get ahead by taking Credit Forward classes to make room in your schedule.
  • Take your AP exams in May (if applicable).
  • Maintain your good habits in your courses and finish the year strong!!
      • If you have struggled this year, don’t worry! Upward trends in grades are an excellent sign of growth. You can do it!
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  • Develop your post high school plans! Begin to think about goals, career options, colleges/universities, or technical schools.
  • Do career and college research with your EDP on Xello.
  • Create and develop your resume.
  • You may begin to work on college applications, but you will not submit anything until you have met with your counselor in September.
  • Schedule virtual college visits or take a tour of a local college to familiarize yourself with the “feel” of the school.
  • Take summer classes to make-up a failed class or to meet a graduation requirement.
  • Participate in a sport, hobby, club, or activity that you enjoy!

Juniors: What's YOUR Plan? (youtube.com)

Testing

PSAT - Taken in October of Junior year

  • All UCS juniors will be registered for and take the PSAT in October at school.
  • This test will qualify students for the distinction of National Merit Scholar based on their score.
  • The PSAT does NOT get reported to colleges. It serves as a practice for the SAT.
  • Students will receive their PSAT scores in December/January.
  • National Merit Scholar Semifinalists will be announced in September of senior year.

SAT - Taken in April of Junior year

  • All UCS juniors will be registered for and take the SAT in April at school.
  • Colleges will take SAT or ACT scores. They do NOT require both and there is no preference for either.
  • If students would like to re-take the SAT, they are welcome to register themselves for additional SAT tests on their own through CollegeBoard.
  • Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch will receive reduced testing fees. Talk to your counselor for more information.

SAT II Subject Tests

  • NOT NEEDED by any college in Michigan
  • Only needed if you are applying to a HIGHLY SELECTIVE university (like Harvard).
  • Students must register for SAT II Subject tests on their own through CollegeBoard.
  • Colleges will specify if they require the SAT II Subject tests, so do your research!

ACT Plus Writing

  • Juniors may choose to take the ACT Plus Writing on their own.
  • Colleges will take SAT or ACT scores. They do NOT require both and there is no preference for either.
  • Students must register themselves for the ACT.
  • Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch will receive reduced testing fees. Talk to your counselor for more information.

AP Tests

  • Students will register for the AP tests in Fall. Students are provided a code from their AP teacher to register for the exams through CollegeBoard. For more information about AP tests, visit the Advanced Placement page on the Counseling website.