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Union County Early College

Michael Murray, Principal

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College Planning

Planning for a four-year university
Planning to transfer to a four-year university starts the first year of high school. Below you will find an attachment of some tips for planning to enter a four-year university for students in grades 9 through 13.
- Timeline for Being Ready to Enter a Four-Year University (English)
- Timeline for Being Ready to Enter a Four-Year University (Spanish)
Colleges Visiting UCEC
Each year, college representatives are invited to visit Union County Early College and speak with students about their school and the college application process. All students are invited to attend the information sessions, unless noted otherwise. Students should sign up at the link below to meet with college representatives at UCEC. The fall college events schedule shows an overview of events that are taking place in school and outside of school.
- Sign Up to Meet with a College Representative
- Fall College Events Schedule (On and Off Campus)
Visiting College Campuses
The best way to determine if a college is the right fit for you is to visit the campus. Colleges have special programs such as open houses, or you can schedule an individual campus tour. Visiting a variety of campuses will help you determine what you like and do not like.
- College Open Houses and More
Testing
Fall
- PSAT-Practice SAT Test; Administered to all 11th graders and open to 9th and 10th graders.
- RISE SPCC College Entrance Test; Administered to all 9th and to 10th graders who have not passed all sections of the test. PLAN-Practice ACT Test; Required by the state for all 10th graders.
- Final Exams-Given in December for all high school classes and the majority of college classes.
Spring
- ACT College Entrance Exam: Required by the state for all 11th graders.
- RISE SPCC College Entrance Test: Administered to all 9th and 10th graders who have not passed all sections of the test.
- Final Exams: Given in May for all high school classes and the majority of college classes.
ACT Testing

The state of North Carolina has mandated that all 11th graders take the ACT test. This free ACT test can be used for college admissions and to help students with preparing for careers. The test takes place each year on the first Tuesday in March. For more information on the ACT and preparing for the test view the links below.
PLAN Testing

The state of North Carolina has mandated that all 10th graders take the PLAN test as part of the new school accountability model. The PLAN will help prepare students to take the ACT, college entrance exam. Students will receive their individual PLAN results and can use the results to help prepare for the ACT. The test takes place each year in the month of October. For more information on the PLAN view the links below.
PSAT Testing

The PSAT is a practice test to help students prepare for the SAT. Results from the PSAT are only for students and not shared with colleges and universities. The PSAT takes place each year on the third Wednesday in October. For more information on the PSAT view the links below.
RISE Testing

The RISE is a college placement test administered by South Piedmont Community College. There are five sections to the Accuplacer; Sentence Skills, Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, Algebra and Computer Proficiency. Students must pass key sections of the Accuplacer before taking the majority of college courses. Our College Liaison will schedule a time for ninth and tenth graders to take the test once a semester. Students do not have to schedule a time to take the test on their own.
Scholarships
General Scholarships
Selective Scholarships - Nomination Required
- UNC Chapel Hill Morehead-Cain
- UNC Charlotte Levine
- NC State University Parks Scholarship
- NC State Centennial Scholarship Program
- Davidson Belk Scholarship
- Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award
- Admission Hook Scholarship (Deadline of September)
- Quest Bridge National College Match (Deadline of September)
- Multiple Scholarships (Deadline of September and beyond)
- Golden Door Scholars (DACA and Undocumented Students) (Deadline of October)
- Univision 40 Nuestra Juventud Scholarship-Deadline of October
- CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program-Deadline of October
- National Young Arts Scholarship-Deadline of October
- Horatio Alger Scholarship-Deadline of October
- Coca Cola Scholarship-Deadline of October
- Chapel Hill's Thomas Wolfe Scholarship-Deadline of October
- Sun Trust Off To School Scholarships Sweepstakes-Starts in October
- Mometrix College Scholarship-Entries Accepted Oct-May
- NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (Girls in grades 9-12)-Deadline of November
- Prudential Spirit of Community Award-Deadline of November
- Transportation YOU Scholarship (Girls 13-18years)-Deadline of November
- Air Force ROTC Scholarship-Deadline of December
- Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition-Deadline of December
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship-Deadline of December
- KFC Reach Education Grant Program (KFC Employees Only)-Application opens in December
- NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award (Small Business Owners)-Deadline of December
- Union County Youth NAACP ESSAY CONTEST (grades 9-12)-Deadline of January
- The North Carolina Hispanic College Fund-Deadline of January
- Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarships-Deadline of January
- Ronald McDonald House Charity Scholarships-Deadline of January
- Cologate-Palmolive Make The U Scholarship-Deadline of January
- JFK Profile In Courage Essay Contest-Deadline of January
- Ron Brown Scholarship-Deadline of January
- Burger King Scholarships-Deadline of January
- Gates Millenium Scholarship-Deadline of January
- Healthcare Leaders Scolarship-Deadline of January
- The Atlantic & College Board Writing Competition (16-19 year olds)-Deadline of February
- Herff Jones Believe In You Scholarship-Deadline of February
- Regions Riding Forward Scholarship-Deadline of February
- NCAE Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship-Deadline of February
- Michael A DeMayo Scholarship Program-Deadline of February
- Buick Achievers Scholarship Program-Deadline of February
- NC Motherless Daughters Scholarship (Girls only)-Deadline of February
- PSA Distracted Driving Contest-Deadline of February
- Stacey Palasek Memorial Scholarship (Science Majors)-Deadline of February
- Union County Education Foundation Senior Scholarship-Deadline of February
- Buick Achievers Scholarship -(Engineering and/or Automotive interest)-Deadline of February 29
- M Wagne Mangum Scholarship -(Various Consumer Sciences and/or Agriculture Majors)-Deadline of March 1
- Charlotte Metro Area Relocation Scholarship -Deadline of March
- Engineer Girl Essay Contest (grades 9-12)-Deadline of March
- Engineering for You Video Contest (grades 9-12)-Deadline of March
- UCPAPA Scholarship for Students of Administrators (Education Majors)-Deadline of March
- Novotni ADHD Scholarship-Deadline of March
- Michael Yasick ADHD Scholarship by Shire-Deadline of March
- NC State USBC Association Inc. Youth Scholarship (Bowling Scholarship)-Deadline of March
- Mary and Millard Kiker Scholarship-Deadline of March
- Khol's Cares Scholarship Program- (See Counselor for Nomination)-Deadline of March
- Union Power College Scholarship -Deadline March
- NC Association of Educational Office Professionals Scholarships -Deadline of March
- AFSA High School Scholarship (All Majors)-Entries Accepted Sept-April
- Lenoir-Rhyne Teaching Scholars-Deadline of April
- Edward and Trudy Suddreth Scholarship of Excellence Award (Food industry and/or family members)-Deadline of April 4
- NC Retail Mercants Association Scholarship (retail workers and/or family members)-Deadline of April 4
- Union County Antique Tractor and Power Club Scholarship (Agricultural Majors)-Deadline of April
- Union County Master Gardener Scholarship -(Environmental Related Majors)-Deadline of April
- Bob R. McQuire/NC Child Support Council Scholarship -Deadline of April
- North Carolina Bar Association Scholarship Program-Deadline of April
- Delta Kappa Gamma Education Scholarship -(Female Education Majors)-Deadline of April 2
- Union County Association of Educators Scholarship (Education Majors)-Deadline of April
- State Employees Association of North Carolina Scholarship Foundation-Deadline of April
- Extend the Dream Scholarship
- Pharmacy Technician Scholarship-Deadline of June
- Fashion Professional Scholarship-Deadline of June
- Animation Professional Scholarship-Deadline of June
- Storage.com Scholarship-Deadline of July
- Lending Tree Scholarship-Deadline of July

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