Counselor Corner

A New Year...A New Opportunity

"The Beginning" of a new year is another opportunity to evaluate where you are, how you feel about where you are, and what you are going to do about where you are. Whether it is a goal you are trying to attain, your current grades in school, or even a job, you always have the opportunity to make a decision to either - Keep Going, Start Over or Move on! So as this new year begins, take some time to plan, align your goals with your plan and create steps to meet those goals. It is never too late to start again...and again...and again.

College Application Statistics for the Class of 2026

As we begin the new year, we would like to share with you the application statistics for the current class

97% of class has applied to at least one college/university.
52% of applications were submitted as Early Action (non-binding), Priority or Early Decision (binding)
We have processed and sent 1,814 transcripts.
Seniors have applied to 307 different colleges/universities.
The most popular colleges seniors have applied to thus far are: The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati and Miami University.
The next popular colleges seniors are applying to are: Indiana University, University of Kentucky, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, University of Tennessee and University of Michigan.

We look forward to bringing you more updates as the Class of 2026 continues to apply to colleges and receive their decision letters.

College Decision Letters: Accepted, Deferred or Not Accepted

Accepted – You are offered admission to their college/university. Congratulations! If you applied Early Decision, confirm acceptance of the offer and follow up with housing to secure your housing choice. You should also withdraw your applications to all other colleges that you have applied to by sending an email to the colleges asking that they remove you from consideration. If you applied Early Action, Priority or Rolling and have received an acceptance, there is no need to make a decision at this time. You have until May 1st to make your final decision and send in your deposit.

Deferred - Although you were not offered admission during the early admissions period, you are still in the running. You will now be reviewed along with the regular decision application pool. This is your opportunity to express your desire to continue to be considered for admissions by sending additional data that may help in the next admissions decision cycle. If you have received any significant grades, test scores, honors and achievements, be sure to send that information to the admissions office and ask that it be added to your file. You should include your identifying information: name, date of birth, social security number and any number assigned to you through the common application or through the college. All colleges will receive your semester grades during the first week of February.

Not Accepted – You were not offered admission to their college/university. Please do not take it personally. Every college has a limit to the number of students they can accept each year and for this particular college, against these particular applicants, they were not able to accept you. You are still going to go to college and you still have other options. So keep your head up! Concentrate on your remaining college options. Apply to other schools if you have not already done so. If you need help, come to the Counseling Office and we can help through the next steps.

Don't forget to update you college admissions decisions in Naviance by marking each college as accepted, denied, deferred, withdrawn or did not apply. Midyear reports will be sent automatically to all colleges by the first week of February.

Postsecondary Options

There are many paths to reach your future goals. One popular path is to enter college right after high school graduation. However, there are other options for those who desire to take a different path after graduating. Thinking of joining the military? Do you want to enter the workforce? Maybe taking a gap year sounds tempting? If you find yourself interested in taking a path less traveled, please come to the Counseling office and meet with Mrs. Hall or your counselor. Whatever path you take, we want you to know we are here to help you be successful, right where you are!

The Braves Opportunity Scholarship

Braves Opportunity Scholarship Application.- deadline February 20th at 5:00pm. ALL SENIORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. The recipient of this scholarship will receive financial assistance to continue their education without the help of loans. Qualified students will complete the FAFSA, scholarship application and submit all materials to ih.foundation@ihsd.us

Purpose: The Braves Opportunity Scholarship is designed to provide opportunities for high potential students who have financial limitations to attend a postsecondary institution for up to four years covering tuition, room & board and fees.

Goal: To allow the selected student to attend the best school to achieve their goals without concern for affordability. This scholarship will be awarded as a supplement to any financial aid and other scholarships received by eligible students in an effort to make college affordable to those who may have a hardship preventing them from continuing their education.

IHEPO Future Educator Scholarship

IHEPO Future Educator Scholarship - Deadline May 1st.

The Indian Hill Educators Professional Organization, IHEPO, is sponsoring two scholarships worth $500.00 each for students who plan to pursue a career in education. To be considered for this scholarship, please submit submit your application through the attached link.

Indian Hill 13-Year Club Scholarship

The 13-Year Club Scholarship - Deadline April 20th.

The Indian Hill Foundation is pleased to offer the 13-Year Club Scholarship. This will be a one-time $1,000 scholarship given to one eligible Indian Hill High School senior who a) anticipates graduating from IHHS as a member of the Indian Hill School District’s “13 Year Club” and b) intends to attend college in the fall. Students who are members of the Rabenold family will NOT be eligible.

Indian Hill Women's Club

Indian Hill Women's Club Opportunity/Entrepreneurial Scholarship - Deadline May 1st.

The Indian Hill Women’s Club is pleased to offer an Opportunity/Entrepreneurial Scholarship. This one-time $1,000 scholarship is available to an eligible senior student pursuing an alternative path to achieve his/her/their post-graduate academic or career aspirations and is unrestricted, meaning that the student can use those funds as the need arises, and is payable directly to the recipient.

Charles L. Warren Memorial Heritage Scholarship

Charles L. Warren Scholarship - Deadline January 9th

This scholarship is awarded to outstanding high school seniors who demonstrate high academic achievement, dedication to school and community involvement, and a continued commitment to cultural and intellectual diversity.

Anthony Munoz Scholarship Fund

Anthony Munoz Straight A Scholarship - Deadline 2/27 - ANYONE can nominate students

Anthony Munoz Scholarship Fund - Deadline 4/27

Seniors

Update your college decisions in Naviance (accepted, denied, deferred, waitlisted)
Search for scholarships - Check your Canvas page under Counseling for resources.

Braves Opportunity Scholarship deadline February 20th.

Midyear reports will automatically be sent to all colleges by February 1st.

Juniors

Prepare for upcoming SAT and ACT testing - School Day SAT for all juniors on March 4th.
Register for SAT and/or ACT testing
Meet with counselors regarding senior schedule and post secondary planning

Sophomores

Meet with Mrs. Hall regarding testing and career planning and junior year classes
Attend optional PSAT/PreACT review on January 21st during Flex time
Complete Regional Youth Leadership application by February 1st

Freshmen

Meet with teachers and counselors regarding scheduling sophomore year classes
Counselors will meet in your classes to review PreACT and PSAT results

Upcoming events to attend:

Test Interpretation night (Virtual) on January 21st

CCP (College Credit Plus) night on January 22nd

Scheduling night on February 4th

Regional Youth Leadership Program (grade 10)

Modeled after Leadership Northern Kentucky, Regional Youth Leadership (RYL) is a community leadership development program for high school juniors in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The 7-month program is a series of sessions held monthly during the school day from September through March focusing on different topics that inform and strengthen student awareness of the opportunities that exist in our region.

Ideal participants: 

Applications are open to high school sophomores representing public, private, and home schools in Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants should have an interest in expanding their knowledge of our region, developing the skills needed to become future leaders, and the maturity to interact with established leaders making a difference in our community. Applications are available now at https://pci.jotform.com/form/250916551628158. The deadline to apply is February 1st.

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Information Session

On Friday, January 9, Indian Hill alum Raffi Hagopian will return to the high school to share exciting information about the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. The Corps offers a world-class Virginia Tech education while developing leadership skills through rigorous military training, physical fitness, and character formation.

Students who are curious about leadership, service, and unique postsecondary opportunities are encouraged to stop by the College and Career Center this Friday at 1:00 p.m. to meet Raffi and learn more. Space may be limited, so be sure to sign up through Naviance!

Upcoming Events for the month of January

1 - New Year's Day

6 - First day of school for the second semester

9 - Deadline to sign up for Certified Manufacturing Associate Training Program

9 - Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Information Session @ 1pm

12 - Deadline to submit permission slips to UC/XU college visit

19 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday recognition

20 - Counselors will review PSAT and return PreACT results with 9th graders

21 - Optional PSAT/PreACT review during Flex (PreACT results will be returned during Flex)

21 - Virtual Test Interpretation Night for parents 9 - 11 (link will be provided as date approaches)

22 - College Credit Plus Information Night

February 1st - deadline to apply for the Regional Youth Leadership Program

February 8th - deadline for students to apply to The Great Oaks programs