1. Welcome to Plainfield High School’s
Senior College Planning Night!

2. Guidance Department Mr. Dave Owens, Director of Guidance
Student Last Names P-Z
Mr. John Newbold, Counselor
Student Last Names A – Ge
Mrs. Jaleen Royer, Counselor
Student Last Names Gi – O
Mr. Adam Fritz, Counselor
Students Receiving Special Services (ILPs,504s,ENLs)
Ms. Christa Detzel, Therapist
Mental Wellness Counselor
Mr. Travis Reber, College & Career Advisor
Mrs. Teri Groeschen, Guidance Secretary & Registrar

3. Official Meetings with student’s Counselor
Counselors will formally initiate a meeting with each senior individually at least once 1st semester and once 2nd semester and are available at other times for meetings/ appts.
•1st semester: check on current sem, next sem, DIPLOMA STATUS, goals, gen well-being, etc.
•2nd semester: Confirmation of post-grad plans and DIPLOMA STATUS
•Personal Guidance Lessons: via Naviance (career and college research, etc)
In ALL meetings, students should be prepared to be asked about final goals and post-grad plans.

4. Our Goals for working with your senior:
Ensure all remaining diploma requirements are clear and in place
Confirm a post-graduation plan (and/ or narrow options)
Communicate timely and important information to both student and parent
Provide access to relevant college and career resources
Promptly provide needed documents that are requested by deadlines and in a realistic timeline
Intervene and make any necessary changes to reflect academic or personal concerns
That their “Senioritus” is not contagious, causing us to miss work

5. How Can Parents Help In The College Search Process?
Communication is key - Establish Roles & Responsibilities
Encourage BUT students need to take the lead
Create a timeline
Holiday Timeline: apps completed by Halloween, Some admission notifications received by Thanksgiving, Institutional Scholarship Info by Christmas and/or admission notification
Understand & keep track of the admission & financial aid processes for each institution - every college is different
Attend Campus Visits
Students - come with prepared questions for admissions, current students, and financial aid
Discuss family finances at the beginning of the process

6. College & Career Exploration
College Visit or Job Shadow
College & Career Exploration Form
Must be completed 5 days prior to visit
Do not visit last 15 days of the semester
2 excused absences - can extend to 3 (if needed)
Other visit options include: breaks, teacher in-service days or PSAT Day (Oct. 30th)
College & Career Rep Visits at PHS
Students MUST sign up in Naviance in order to attend
Individual military meetings: before/after school or during study hall only - MUST HAVE PERMISSION FROM PARENTS/LEGAL GUARDIANS
Tips of Visiting:
Students: Use the college comparison worksheet to note important dates, info, etc. for each college
Plan visit when students are on campus
Schedule a visit that fits your needs: athletics, group visit, open houses, shadowing classes, overnight
Walk around campus after “official visit”

7. Application Deadlines:
Types of App Deadline - pay attention to what you’re applying to!
Early Decision: Binding to the college, must withdraw all other college apps if accepted
Restrictive Early Action: “Non-binding” but can only apply to one private school during their Early Notification Plan: Restrictive EA, Early Action, or Early Decision. NOTE: students can apply to a public college’s non-binding Early Notification Deadline
Early Action: Non-binding, given maximum consideration for admission & financial aid opportunities
Regular Decision: Non-binding - will be considered for remaining admission spots & financial aid that wasn’t awarded during a college’s EA Deadline
Rolling Decision: Apps accepted throughout the year and admission & financial aid is awarded more on a first-come, first-serve basis

8. Application Tips & Guidelines
Apply Early! Make sure you are prepared to apply early & not rush your application just to meet an early deadline
Colleges will be able to work with you more if you apply early vs. Regular Decision
Application Documents: Required vs. Recommended
Official High School Transcript
SAT or ACT scores: note how colleges accept scores
Essay: PROOFREAD, stay within word count
Resume: don’t just list activities, provide in-depth information - leadership roles, goals you accomplished, personal growth, etc.
Letters of Recommendation: 1-3, don’t exceed institution’s preference
Personal Statement: Submit a separate statement that addresses any concerns or issues that may have happened during HS that may have impacted your GPA

9. 19-20 SAT/ACT Dates Scores MUST be submitted by app deadline
Students are responsible for knowing how colleges accept scores
Fee waivers available to those who qualify
Take more than once - most colleges “superscore”
Ask colleges what is the latest deadline for scholarship consideration - some allow additional submissions after app deadline

10. Scholarships Hendricks County Community Foundation Scholarship
App Deadline is Sept. 12 by 3PM
Outside Scholarships Guidance Receives will be Posted in Naviance: peak season is between September - March
Click “Colleges”
“Scholarship and Money”
“Scholarship List”
National Scholarships Search Engines (Don’t Pay to Apply for Scholarships!)

11. Additional Financial Aid Info:
Financial Aid Night at PHS: more in-depth look at the FA process, FAFSA, scholarships, etc. with financial aid experts
Thursday, Sept. 26th at 6:00 pm
FAFSA: highly encourage all families to file - great safety net in case anything unexpected happens
Opens Oct. 1 - Indiana Deadline is April 15th
Colleges typically have a FAFSA priority deadline (March 1)
FAFSA Workshops at PHS: file your FAFSA w/financial aid experts
October 3rd & January 30th: 10 am - 1pm & 3 - 7pm

12. Indiana Next Level Jobs
Receive free training for high-paying, in- demand careers in Indiana
By 2025, over 1 million job openings in Indiana within Advanced Manufacturing, Building Construction, Health & Life Sciences, IT & Business Services, and TDL
Partner with Ivy Tech & Vincennes University
Workforce Ready Grant pays for tuition
& fees
Must receive high school diploma