By Matthew Libersky
On October 21, Jordan Scheetz, Kylie Ludwig, Mitch Good, Molly Henderson and Matthew Scheetz took a college visit to Ball State University. Photo contributed by: Mrs. Stacy Scheetz
Many students like junior Shaylee Vice have only a vague idea of what they are doing after high school. She has always planned on going to college and never seriously considered any other options. However, she has not thought of what she is going to study or where she is going to study.
Senior Erin Kinney’s plan for life after high school is similar; except she has thought more about the specifics. She has not made up her mind quite yet, but she said she has “been applying to schools and scholarships.”
The guidance staff has been busy creating opportunities for students across the preparedness spectrum to explore their options for their future—two of the main ones being college visit days, and recently, a school-wide college fair.
During their junior and senior years, all students are allowed to take two days off (per year) to visit a college of their choice.
“I do not think students take advantage of it and they should,” guidance counselor Mrs. Stacy Scheetz said. “It gives them a great opportunity to see the college and ask questions.”
Mrs. Scheetz suggested that students base their choice of college(s) to visit on which schools they are interested in and are close by. She also said that it is important to go on college visits to get a feel for the school, as they allow students to truly understand the size and environment of the campus. Also, on college visits, high school students can talk to and meet members of the college’s student body, which gives them an inside source on what life is really like at the college.
Kinney went on two last year—to IU and Ball State—and is planning on visiting more this year during fall break—Hanover, Franklin University, and Valparaiso University.
“[…] The visits give you a good idea of the school because they let you see yourself going there,” Kinney said.
On October 4, the guidance department put together a college fair where students and their parents were invited to get information about colleges across the state and country. Attending colleges included, along with many others, Indiana University (South Bend and Bloomington), Purdue University, University of Michigan, Grace College, various technical schools and small colleges from across Indiana and the rest of the U.S.
“[The college fair] is meant for students to meet one on one with the college admission counselors to ask questions and gain information. It is very valuable [for students],” Mrs. Scheetz said. Kinney said she went last year and that it was very informative.
“Mrs. [Tina] Morales did most of the organization,” Mrs. Scheetz said. “She contacted the schools to have them come to PHS. [We] set up the multi-purpose room the day off and tore it down. We met with the college representatives that night and get some valuable information [from them].”
In case those two opportunities are not enough to prepare for post-high school life, many universities and other educational also pay regular visits to the school, especially during the fall.
“In the fall, we have two or three come each week,” Mrs. Scheetz said. “We have been having about five to ten people showing up.”
Kinney said she would go, but she doesn’t have a good idea of who is coming when.
Overall, Mrs. Scheetz said that most students don’t really have a good idea of what they want to do specifically. “[They] know they want to go on to college but they do not know what they want to study and how to get there.”