Project Stepping Stone 2025—Student Application

Welcome

We’re excited that you’re interested in applying to Project Stepping Stone! This application is for Student Applicants (those who have never attended PSS before) and will cover your academic background, extracurricular activities, and personal interests. Your leadership experience and career goals are important to our admissions team, so please be complete in telling us your story.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 @ 11:59pm ET

Take a look at the essay questions BEFORE starting your application. This will give you time to consider the questions, thoughtfully write your essays, and make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Then you can “cut and paste” the essay into the online PSS application.

STUDENT INFORMATION

Question Title

* 1. First Name:

Question Title

* 2. Middle:

Question Title

* 3. Last Name:

Question Title

* 4. Preferred First Name

Question Title

* 5. Contact Information:

Address: *

Address 2:

City: *

State: *

ZIP: *

GMAIL Address (that you check regularly): *

** IMPORTANT: Please do not use your school-issued email address when filling out this application. ONLY use a personal email address that you will have access to following graduation (such as a Gmail account). **

Question Title

* 6. Cell Phone:

Question Title

* 7. Parent/Guardian contact:

Full Name:

Cell Phone:

Question Title

* 8. Date of Birth:

Please enter your date of birth

Date

Question Title

* 9. Do you identify as Hispanic, Latino, or Latine?

Yes

Question Title

* 10. Country of Origin:

Question Title

* 11. Race (Please select all that apply.)

Asian / Pacific Islander

Black / African Diaspora

Indigenous / Native American / American Indian

White

Mixed Race / Multiracial

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 12. Sex:

Male

Female

Question Title

* 13. T-Shirt Size:

Small

Medium

Large

Extra Large

XX Large

XXX Large

Question Title

* 14. Special Dietary Needs: Project Stepping Stone is unable to provide special dietary meals due to the mobile nature of the program. We are only able to provide simple vegetarian options. If you require special meals, you will need to inform us on the application and we will discuss possible options with you individually.

No special dietary needs

Vegetarian

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 15. Our program requires a lot of walking every day, rain or shine, in hot temperatures. Please list any special medical conditions that could affect your ability to participate (leg/foot injuries, heart issues, asthma, etc.):

Question Title

* 16. Where did you hear about Project Stepping Stone of Indiana?

School

Online - Facebook, Instagram, website

Family member

Friend

TV/Radio

Church

21st Century Scholars

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 17. Have you participated in Project Stepping Stone before? NOTE: You can only participate in PSS as a Student once. If you've already gone through PSS and are interested in coming a 2nd year, you can apply to be a PSS Ambassador! The Ambassador application is on our website.

Yes (Please list the year you participated in PSS)

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION

Question Title

* 18. High School Information:

School Name: *

City:

State:

Question Title

* 19. Grade you are in NOW (Spring 2025)

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 20. Academic Standing (This will be validated by your school transcript.)

GPA

Grading Scale (4.0, 5.0, other)

Question Title

* 21. PSAT Score (if taken)

Reading and Writing

Math

Question Title

* 22. SAT Score (if taken)

Reading and Writing

Math

Question Title

* 23. ACT Score (if taken)

ELA (English, reading, writing)

STEM (math & science)

Question Title

* 24. Type of Diploma / Program

Core 40

Academic Honors

Technical Honors

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Dual Credit

AP Capstone

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 25. Have you participated in any of the following programs?

	Yes	No
Head Start	Head Start Yes	Head Start No
21st Century Scholars	21st Century Scholars Yes	21st Century Scholars No
Upward Bound/TRIO	Upward Bound/TRIO Yes	Upward Bound/TRIO No
Boys/Girls State	Boys/Girls State Yes	Boys/Girls State No
Big Brothers Big Sisters	Big Brothers Big Sisters Yes	Big Brothers Big Sisters No

Question Title

* 26. Are you eligible for free or reduced-price meals?

Question Title

* 27. Are you currently or have you been in foster care at any point in time on or after your 14th birthday?

Question Title

* 28. Please indicate the highest level of education completed by your parent(s)/guardian(s).

	Parent/Guardian 1	Parent/Guardian 2
Please make a selection:	Please make a selection: Parent/Guardian 1 menu	Please make a selection: Parent/Guardian 2 menu

COLLEGE / CAREER INFORMATION

Question Title

* 29. What careers are you interested in pursuing? (Pick your top 3 choices.)

	First	Second	Third
Accounting/Finance	Accounting/Finance First	Accounting/Finance Second	Accounting/Finance Third
Business	Business First	Business Second	Business Third
Computer Science/Technology/Cybersecurity	Computer Science/Technology/Cybersecurity First	Computer Science/Technology/Cybersecurity Second	Computer Science/Technology/Cybersecurity Third
Creative Arts/Architecture/Design/Writing	Creative Arts/Architecture/Design/Writing First	Creative Arts/Architecture/Design/Writing Second	Creative Arts/Architecture/Design/Writing Third
Dental	Dental First	Dental Second	Dental Third
Education	Education First	Education Second	Education Third
Engineering	Engineering First	Engineering Second	Engineering Third
Government/Economics/Political Science/Public Policy	Government/Economics/Political Science/Public Policy First	Government/Economics/Political Science/Public Policy Second	Government/Economics/Political Science/Public Policy Third
Health Care/Medicine/Nursing	Health Care/Medicine/Nursing First	Health Care/Medicine/Nursing Second	Health Care/Medicine/Nursing Third
Law	Law First	Law Second	Law Third
Marketing/Communications	Marketing/Communications First	Marketing/Communications Second	Marketing/Communications Third
Science/Biology/Chemistry	Science/Biology/Chemistry First	Science/Biology/Chemistry Second	Science/Biology/Chemistry Third

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 30. Do you want to go to college?

Question Title

* 31. Do you know how to apply for college or where to start looking for a college?

ACTIVITIES / EXPERIENCES

Question Title

* 32. Extracurricular Activities:
Please list any school and community-related activities in which you have participated during your time in high school (e.g. sports, youth/church group, clubs, music, student government, ROTC).

Question Title

* 33. Awards and Honors:
Please list and any awards, honors or special recognitions you have received and in which grade.

Question Title

* 34. Community Service and Volunteer Experience:
Please list the most important community service or volunteer experiences in which you have been involved during high school. (e.g. Peer tutoring, youth group activities, etc.)

Question Title

* 35. Work Experience:
Please describe your work experience during high school. Provide employer, position held, dates of employment and hours worked per week (example: McDonald's; Cashier; June 2023 - April 2024, 15 hours).

Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Position 4

SHORT QUESTIONS / ESSAYS

AI Policy: The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, etc.) to write your PSS Application essays is NOT PERMITTED. All essays should be your own original writing. Any essay that is found to have used generative AI tools could affect your admissions decision.

Short Questions. Please respond to the following questions so we can get to know you better. Respond in three sentences or less.

Question Title

* 36. What 3 words would your closest friends and family use to describe you?

Question Title

* 37. If you could pick up a certain skill instantly, what would it be?

Essay Questions. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words for each essay. Maximum of 200 words each.

Question Title

* 38. How do you think you will benefit from the Project Stepping Stone college prep program and why do you think the PSS Committee should accept you into this program? (100 minimum words - 200 maximum words)

Question Title

* 39. Describe a recent accomplishment, event, or experience that helped you grow as a person. Please explain how it impacted or changed you. (100 minimum words - 200 maximum words)

Question Title

* 40. Describe a topic, idea, or hobby you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? (100 minimum words - 200 maximum words)

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

Question Title

* 41. Upload your Unofficial Transcript (PDF, JPG, or PNG)

(If you are accepted, we may request official transcript verification from your school.)

PDF, PNG, JPG, JPEG file types only.

Choose File

Remember to Email the following materials to us at projectsteppingstone.indiana@gmail.com by March 15, 2025:

One letter of recommendation from a school counselor, teacher or coach (not related to you) who is familiar with your academic accomplishments.
A SIGNED PSS Student Pledge form

The deadline to submit ALL application materials (application, transcripts, letter of recommendation, signed Student Pledge) is March 15, 2025.

Question Title

* 1. First Name:

Question Title

* 2. Middle:

Question Title

* 3. Last Name:

Question Title

* 4. Preferred First Name

Question Title

* 5. Contact Information:

Question Title

* 6. Cell Phone:

Question Title

* 7. Parent/Guardian contact:

Question Title

* 8. Date of Birth:

Question Title

* 9. Do you identify as Hispanic, Latino, or Latine?

Question Title

* 10. Country of Origin:

Question Title

* 11. Race (Please select all that apply.)

Question Title

* 12. Sex:

Question Title

* 13. T-Shirt Size:

Question Title

Question Title

* 15. Our program requires a lot of walking every day, rain or shine, in hot temperatures. Please list any special medical conditions that could affect your ability to participate (leg/foot injuries, heart issues, asthma, etc.):

Question Title

* 16. Where did you hear about Project Stepping Stone of Indiana?

Question Title

* 17. Have you participated in Project Stepping Stone before? NOTE: You can only participate in PSS as a Student once. If you've already gone through PSS and are interested in coming a 2nd year, you can apply to be a PSS Ambassador! The Ambassador application is on our website.

Question Title

* 18. High School Information:

Question Title

* 19. Grade you are in NOW (Spring 2025)

Question Title

* 20. Academic Standing (This will be validated by your school transcript.)

Question Title

* 21. PSAT Score (if taken)

Question Title

* 22. SAT Score (if taken)

Question Title

* 23. ACT Score (if taken)

Question Title

* 24. Type of Diploma / Program

Question Title

* 25. Have you participated in any of the following programs?

Question Title

* 26. Are you eligible for free or reduced-price meals?

Question Title

* 27. Are you currently or have you been in foster care at any point in time on or after your 14th birthday?

Question Title

* 28. Please indicate the highest level of education completed by your parent(s)/guardian(s).

Question Title

* 29. What careers are you interested in pursuing? (Pick your top 3 choices.)

Question Title

* 30. Do you want to go to college?

Question Title

* 31. Do you know how to apply for college or where to start looking for a college?

Question Title

* 32. Extracurricular Activities: Please list any school and community-related activities in which you have participated during your time in high school (e.g. sports, youth/church group, clubs, music, student government, ROTC).

Question Title

* 33. Awards and Honors:Please list and any awards, honors or special recognitions you have received and in which grade.

Question Title

* 34. Community Service and Volunteer Experience:Please list the most important community service or volunteer experiences in which you have been involved during high school. (e.g. Peer tutoring, youth group activities, etc.)

Question Title

* 35. Work Experience:Please describe your work experience during high school. Provide employer, position held, dates of employment and hours worked per week (example: McDonald's; Cashier; June 2023 - April 2024, 15 hours).

Question Title

* 36. What 3 words would your closest friends and family use to describe you?

Question Title

* 37. If you could pick up a certain skill instantly, what would it be?

Question Title

* 38. How do you think you will benefit from the Project Stepping Stone college prep program and why do you think the PSS Committee should accept you into this program? (100 minimum words - 200 maximum words)

Question Title

* 39. Describe a recent accomplishment, event, or experience that helped you grow as a person. Please explain how it impacted or changed you. (100 minimum words - 200 maximum words)

Question Title

* 40. Describe a topic, idea, or hobby you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? (100 minimum words - 200 maximum words)

Question Title

* 32. Extracurricular Activities:
Please list any school and community-related activities in which you have participated during your time in high school (e.g. sports, youth/church group, clubs, music, student government, ROTC).

* 33. Awards and Honors:
Please list and any awards, honors or special recognitions you have received and in which grade.

* 34. Community Service and Volunteer Experience:
Please list the most important community service or volunteer experiences in which you have been involved during high school. (e.g. Peer tutoring, youth group activities, etc.)

* 35. Work Experience:
Please describe your work experience during high school. Provide employer, position held, dates of employment and hours worked per week (example: McDonald's; Cashier; June 2023 - April 2024, 15 hours).