Last night at our sophomore parent night, we discussed some of the myths that surround the college admissions process. For those of you were unable to make it, here are a few of the ideas we explored.
1. Students must have community service on their resume.
The answer to this would be false. Community service is not a requirement, and yet some students continue to believe they must have some. If a student has a genuine interest in serving others, it can be a compelling part of their college application. On a regular basis, such a student might be involved in the GLAD tutoring program and the East Side Elementary tutoring program after school. She might be a weekend volunteer with the GPS Habitat for Humanity house and the River Rescue clean-up. Even more impressive, this student might have created her own outreach program, perhaps organizing a t-shirt drive for people in another country (something a GPS girl did several years ago). All of her service work might also lead her to run for a place on the PIC council (Partnerships in the Community). The point is that community service is an authentic part of this student's story, and it speaks volumes about her interests and values.
2. Some colleges consider a student's interest (i.e. number of contacts with students, campus visits, etc.) in the admissions decision.
This is true. Many colleges use what is called "demonstrated interest" in their admissions decisions. Tulane, Rhodes, Sewanee, and Pitzer are just a few that come to mind. Spaces in the incoming freshmen class are precious, and it makes sense that schools want to know that you are genuinely interested in their college or university. There are many ways students can show interest: visiting with the representative when they are in Chattanooga, touring the campus (please make sure you sign in at the admissions office), emailing an admissions rep with questions or completing an optional question/essay on the application. Interviews are another way a student can show interest. More specifically, when asked "why do you want to attend this college?" students can reference what they've learned on the school's website, something they saw while they were visiting, a conversation with an alumni. There are many ways to demonstrate your interest, even if you are unable to get to campus, so talk to your college counselor about how that can be achieved.
3. Students must have honors and/or AP courses on their transcripts.
The answer to this is unequivocally no. Advanced placement courses are not for everyone in high school, and there are plenty of colleges that will accept you without them. We've put way too much emphasis on these courses, and we believe it's time to take a step back. Yes, some schools, mainly the most competitive ones, will expect honors and AP's, but many schools are looking at students more holistically. They want to know your story, what makes you tick. There may be many good reasons why you're not ready for an advanced class, and you will have to take our word for it, there really are colleges that will get that and still find you a very appealing candidate for admission. I could go on and on about AP courses, but talk to your advisor or your college counselor if the are something you are considering.
4. If a college sends your daughter lots of information (viewbooks, etc.), it is a good indication that they are seriously interested in her as an applicant.
Sadly this is not true. Colleges send out lots and lot (and lots) of mail. They're not purposefully being disingenuous, I don't believe, but this is a business after all, and they need applications to stay alive. The more applications they get, the more selective they can be. The more selective they are, they more they (might) rise in the rankings. On a more serious note, they really are trying to attract the best and most diverse applicant pool they can, and sending out mail helps achieve those goals.
Just be careful if the letter you receive sounds like they are guaranteeing you admission. They really don't know the person who is reading that letter, and you may not fit their profile at all. It can be flattering, but don't believe everything you read.
5. Some colleges - including UTK - will recalculate your GPA when their receive your transcript.
This is very true, and many people are not aware of it. The University of Tennessee Knoxville recalculates every applicants GPA, using 16 core credits: 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 history, 2 foreign language, and one fine arts. The good news is that if you take more than the required number of credits (four math courses, for example), they will take use your three best grades for the recalculation. More often than not, a student's GPA will not change much one way or the other, but it can make a difference. When you apply to UTK, you will be able to see your recalculated GPA on the student portal.
The same holds true for the Georgia Hope Scholarship. Your GPA will be recalculated based on all credits attempted in English, math, science, history/social studies, and foreign language. Notice, there are no fine arts course mentioned. You will receive an extra weight for your AP courses, but the Georgia Student Finance Commission will make it a uniform weight across all transcripts.
With so much information available on the internet these days, the college process can be quite confusing. Your college counselor is on top of it though, and she can help you sort through all the rumors and myths that are out there.
No comments:
Post a Comment