This is the Plymouth High School parking lot where the buses pull into in the morning and afternoon. Photo provided by: Chase Holzwart
By Jon Sommers
Numerous students at Plymouth High School were busy during the days off of school.
Junior Max Holloway was part of the group of PHS students who volunteered at the Plymouth Fire Department on MLKJ Day for Key Club. Photo provided by: Jordan Kelly
By Isabelle Miller
For Plymouth High School’s Key Club, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day for giving back to the community.
Junior Stephanie Boyle looks at the Ball State University Website. She has applied to Anderson, Franklin, and ISU and continues to look for other options.
Photo By: Sophia Smith
By Sophia Smith
Plymouth High School students explain what a university and or college must have in order to be worthy of an application.
One first needs to look into universities before one can apply. One could also enlist into a branch of the armed forces. For junior Cassi Quissell, Iowa State, Ball State, and the University of Illinois-Chicago seemed the promising due to their “strength in architectural programs.” Senior Emily Eveland found a different route for entrance into a university. Eveland was scouted by Franklin College for volleyball. Senior Geoff Espich considers Kansas University, St Joseph College, the Indianapolis School of Aviation, and IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis). Espich said, “I’ve been on visits and they just catch me as a good place to go.” Junior Kristen McNeal considers Manchester and Purdue Universities for their pre-vet, veterinary, and sports programs.
Location and visual appeal can be an important factor when choosing universities. Junior Ryan MacLain considers Clemson and Ball State Universities and said he “really likes what I see in the campuses.” Schools can offer a variety of activities that students can take part inside and outside of school. Eveland said “it’s [Franklin College] is only 15 minutes away from downtown Indianapolis so I would get to experience the big city.” Going instate and out of state are also options. Quissell wants to attend an out of state school. Espich said, “I don’t want to go more than ten hours away” so that “if something were to happen I would have to be home.” McClellan also would like to stay close to home.
The wall beside the Guidance Office holds posters for colleges and programs. Students can find out information by looking at this wall and talking to their counselors.
Photo By: Sophia Smith
Colleges have strength in athletic programs while others have strength in academics or music programs. Quissell looks at universities that have high graduation rates. MacLain looks at military benefits in schools. MacLain said “as of right now I am deeply looking forward to attending Clemons for [their] AFROTC (Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps) program.” Junior Anthony Boener looks to Purdue University and said, “I know it’s a good school for scientific fields.” Quissell and Eveland look at a multitude of different factors in universities and colleges. Senior Sommer McClellan “looked at the athletic training program because I want to get the best out of my education.” McClellan and Espich both look to academics. McClellan said, “academics come first and if you’re in a sport your coach understands.”
Quissell hopes to obtain a gymnastics or academic scholarship so she can attend a good architectural school with a high graduation rate. Eveland looks forward to attending Franklin College because of their athletic training program. She enjoys the fact that the school is “tight knit” and how the “staff and teachers are so friendly.” McClellan visited campuses and “absolutely loved my visit to Manchester.” McClellan also likes the fact that they have a masters program for athletic training. McNeal said, “if I got a chance to play softball somewhere like Arizona or Alabama I would take it in a heartbeat,” if not she looks at Purdue University.
These upperclassmen have advice for the underclassmen to keep in mind while choosing a school. MacLain reminds students to “choose the best college for you.” A diploma can follow a student for the rest of his/her life. Another thing to keep in mind would be to ask questions. Eveland suggests asking all the questions that a student thinks will apply and that there is “nothing wrong with being picky because it’s your future.” McClellan stresses that students should “take your time to look into the college and visit it.”
As students near graduation, college can be a step towards a successful career.