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Junior Resources

Junior Year

CLASS OF 2026 JUNIOR RESOURCE PAGE

ILLINOIS CAREER INFORMATION SYSTEM (ILCIS)

ILCIS Login:

  • USERNAME - First name student ID# (your Web Access Login)

  • PASSWORD - Welcome2026

Fall Junior Advisory Presentation

First page of the PDF file: FallJuniorPresentation2024_1

Spring Junior Advisory Presentation

Welcome to Junior Year!  

 Some Things to Consider:  

  • Have you checked your high school course plan and made sure you are on track to graduate? School Counselors will meet with each junior in fall to discuss your progression and complete your senior course selection! 

  • Are you taking the appropriate classes to prepare you for college and to gain college credit hours? Colleges like to see rigor and dual credits on your transcript. These courses can also save you and your parents money because you may receive credit for some of your general education required courses in college. Concurrent enrollment at a community college will also give you credits for transferring.

  • Start researching colleges. (check the websites below!) 

  • Attend college fairs and sign up for college representative visits to the OTHS School Counseling Office!  

  • Are you active in your clubs and extracurricular activities? Colleges want to see that you are engaged in your activities. They especially like to see leadership positions. A long list of clubs you never participate in is not impressive.

  • Have you considered a part-time job or freelancing some of your skills? Work experience shows responsibility and reliability.

  • Maintain a list of your extracurriculars, leadership positions, and work experience, so that you will be able to quickly prepare a resume to give to the people you ask to write your letters of recommendation. You will also use this resume to complete your college applications.

  • Prepare for and take the ACT / SAT (optional).

  • Identify the teachers, coaches, activity sponsors, and others that you would like to write your letters of recommendation. Ask them before the end of your junior year to give them a heads up and adequate time to prepare for your letter. 

  • Have you done any meaningful community service during high school? A repeated commitment to one organization is better than an hour here and there at a long list of places. Keep a good record of your hours.

  • Identify the colleges you would like to visit and get the visits scheduled and started throughout this year! 

  • If you are leaning toward employment or the military straight after high school, check out the websites below to do more research!   

  Click Here ----- How to Choose the Best College for You    

College Map

 

First page of the PDF file: JuniorYearChecklist

Choosing a Career by Self-Evaluation 

Upcoming College Fair Information

Other Helpful Websites for College and Career Planning

 

Beginning in 2025, public high school students in Illinois will be required to take the ACT as part of their graduation requirement.

OTHS will administer the free ACT during the spring semester. 

ACT RESOURCES

ACT Learning Resources

Free ACT Practice Test and Test Prep Resources

 

SAT

SAT & COLLEGEBOARD RESOURCES

SAT Test Day Checklist

Free Online SAT Practice Tests

Khan Academy Prep (Free Online)