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    11th grade

    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! Message your counselor on Microsoft Teams if you need to set up a meeting.

     

    Fall

    • Take the PSAT in October to enter the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
    • Attend the UCS Financial Aid Night - this is optional and more directed toward seniors, but juniors may also benefit.
    • Attend the UCS College Fair and the UCS Wellness Fair. 
    • 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.

     

    Winter

    • Choose your senior year classes!
        • Counselors will work with students in February/March to choose senior classes.
          • Consult with your teachers and counselor to make sure you choose classes that will set you up for success!
          • Students should appropriately challenge themselves, given their goals.
        • Refer to EDP via Xello to look at educational goals for fields of interest. 

     

    Spring

    • 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 in a previous semester, don’t worry! Upward trends in grades are an excellent sign of growth.

     

    Summer

    • 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.
    • Go on college visits. 
    • 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 school classes to make up for a failed class or to meet a graduation requirement.
    • Participate in a sport, hobby, club, or activity you enjoy!

     

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

    Standardized Assessments for 11th Grade:

    AP Tests (if Applicable)

    • Students will register for the AP tests in the 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.

    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 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 or reduced lunch will receive reduced testing fees. Talk to your counselor for more information.