Utica High School

• 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 Teams if you need to set up a meeting.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

• 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.

• 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.