The Counseling Office at University School is pleased to announce that we are introducing a new system called Scoir to help you and your student navigate the college selection and application process.
Later today Dr. Shaw will send you an email invitation so that you can link to their account. As a parent or guardian, you will be able to view their profiles, see their college list, conduct your own college searches, and suggest colleges for your student to consider. Scoir also provides parents with financial tools so that you can get a better sense of the cost of attendance at various colleges during the selection process.
Current Seniors will have access to the college search and career profile features of Scoir. Juniors will eventually have access to all features of Scoir, and they will use it to manage their college and career planning, plus all college applications through graduation. We are excited to be able to provide Scoir to our students and families, and we feel confident that you will find it helpful and easy to use.
Junior To-Do List
By the end of this school year you should plan to have the final ACT score that you will need to begin your college applications in July. As a junior you will take the ACT at school on April 3 with your classmates. All you need to do to register for that exam is to be present at school that day. However, many students will be interested in taking the ACT before and after that date so that they have the highest possible score. To take the ACT at an additional time you will register online at www.actstudent.org/start.- Begin creating your college application list. You need to become familiar with possible colleges for application and with their admission requirements. Start scheduling college visits. Remember, this college will be your home for 2-4 years so it is important that you find a place where you can both live and work.
- For some very selective colleges it may be necessary to take additional admission tests called the SAT Subject tests. You can find information about college requirements on their websites and about Subject Tests at www.collegeboard.com.
- Do you need to take the SAT? No, not unless you are unhappy with your ACT score and cannot seem to break through to the score you would like to have. All colleges in the US will take a score from either exam. The ACT is just more common in the Southeast, but it is accepted across the nation.
- Review your resume. What kinds of activities have you participated in during high school? Have you donated your time to the community? Are you actively involved in student life at US? This is going to be important! In addition to needing 40 hours of community service for graduation it is important that you are involved in some kinds of extracurricular activities at school, at church, or in the community.
- Want to attend one of the Military Academies? Contact your Senator or Congressman ASAP. You need a nomination in your Junior year.
- Follow some college and scholarship sites on Twitter to become familiar with opportunities that are out there. My favorites are Fastweb Scholarships, The College Board, and HuffPost College.
- Keep your grades up!!!! Do not slack off this semester!!! Traditionally, junior year is one of the hardest at US so start strong and stay strong this spring. The first transcript/gpa/rank to go with your college applications will be what is called the 6th Semester Transcript meaning it ends at your junior year. New transcripts are not created until January and June of the senior year. In despair about grades earlier in your high school career? Don’t worry, just do your best to show progress and improvement every semester through graduation. Learning from your mistakes can be an important part of a college essay or recommendation.
- Review your online image. Anything on Twitter, FB, or Instagram you wouldn’t want a college admissions office to see? Take this opportunity to remove problematic images and statements and tighten up your security settings. Also, remember to post positive things about yourself. A selfie made at the Food Bank is just as important as the one in front of Pals, but it helps round out your personality.
- Always read Ms. Shaw’s emails once the distribution list gets started! I promise they
won’t always be this long.
Ms. Shaw
Civics Test
Civics Test - Required for Graduation