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The College Application Journey: A Four-Year Marathon
Oh dear, it seems the college application journey now kicks off in ninth grade.
Back when I was in high school, I only began to consider which colleges to apply to as my senior year approached. I filled out a handful of applications, waited for a response, and ultimately chose the one that offered the most generous financial aid package. It wasn’t completely stress-free, but it certainly wasn’t the prolonged ordeal that today’s students face.
Actually, let’s correct that: it’s more like a four-year marathon now. A new initiative from the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success, which comprises 80 colleges and universities, suggests that students should not only use a common application (which is already a great idea thanks to the Common Application) but also start building online portfolios of their work starting in ninth grade. According to an interview with the University of Florida’s enrollment management vice president, Jamie Roberts, students can upload samples of their work from as early as ninth grade when they apply in their senior year. Think of it as a digital locker for their achievements.
The application process will be hosted on a free website that serves as a central hub for all participating colleges. As reported by The Daily Chronicle, “The site provides students with a single platform to send applications, while also offering guidance tools years ahead of time. Students can seek advice from college admissions offices and create digital portfolios with assistance from their teachers and counselors.”
I genuinely appreciate that this will help students who lack access to college counselors or even adults to guide them through the admissions maze. However, what I find concerning is the “years in advance” aspect.
Are We Embracing Free-Range Parenting?
Are we not supposed to embrace free-range parenting these days? Shouldn’t kids be encouraged to explore and try new things without constant adult supervision? Are students not meant to experience failure?
High school represents a significant portion of childhood, and it shouldn’t turn into an extended audition for college. Like preschool and elementary school, high school should be a place for learning and discovery, just as college should be. If every grade and project must be completed with a focus on how it will be perceived, students will be less inclined to take risks or delve into unfamiliar subjects for the joy of learning itself.
Even in the more relaxed atmosphere of the 1980s, I hesitated to enroll in challenging classes for fear of receiving a bad grade. I can’t imagine how a contemporary student, who might want to try a coding or art class but fears a disappointing grade, would feel when their portfolio is constantly under scrutiny. Beginning the portfolio process in ninth grade robs students of precious time to learn freely and without the pressure of grades potentially harming their future applications.
Imagine a student who would have otherwise embraced challenging classes and accepted the possibility of failure. Now, that student might end up with an empty portfolio during those formative years, putting her at a disadvantage compared to peers who played it safe. The extended portfolio timeline becomes yet another reason not to take risks and potentially fail.
The Pressure of College Admissions
What’s even more troubling is the perception that the college application process is so “make or break.” I recognize that a college education is often seen as the path to financial security, and I value efforts to make it accessible for low-income students. However, this approach feels like a temporary fix for deeper issues, such as the systemic nature of poverty. While we might encourage low-income students to look beyond their local schools for better opportunities, why not focus on improving the education within those local institutions? Moreover, why are quality colleges so limited in availability to so many?
Families like mine understand that getting into a good college is crucial for financial stability. However, I would rather see efforts aimed at lowering college costs, enhancing the quality of affordable institutions, or perhaps even challenging the notion that a college degree is essential for a middle-class lifestyle. We live in a society where few are thriving financially, creating immense pressure on students to strive for top-tier colleges at the expense of their childhood.
Conclusion
In summary, the college application process is evolving, and high school is becoming an extended preparation phase for college admissions, starting as early as ninth grade. While this initiative aims to support students, it raises concerns about the pressure to perform and the potential loss of valuable learning experiences that should be enjoyed during these formative years.