When I was in high school, I began contemplating college choices during the fall of my senior year. I submitted five applications, waited a few months, and ultimately chose the one offering the best financial aid. While it wasn’t entirely straightforward, it certainly didn’t resemble the extensive, multi-year process faced by students today.
Now, it seems the college application process has morphed into a four-year undertaking. A consortium known as the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success—comprised of 80 colleges and universities—has proposed that students create online portfolios of their work starting in ninth grade. According to a feature by NPR, students will be able to upload samples of their work from as early as ninth grade when they apply in their senior year. This initiative aims to serve as a digital repository for their accomplishments.
The application process will utilize a free website, which serves as a single portal for all participating institutions. As reported by the Huffington Post, this platform not only consolidates applications but also provides tools for students to begin preparing years in advance. Students can seek guidance from college admissions offices and collaborate with teachers and counselors to build their digital portfolios.
While I commend the initiative to provide access to college admissions resources for students lacking guidance from counselors or adults, I find the notion of starting “years in advance” concerning. Aren’t we advocating for children to explore and experiment without adult oversight? Shouldn’t students be allowed to fail occasionally?
The high school experience is a significant period for personal growth, and it should be focused on learning and exploration, much like college itself should be. If every assignment and project is viewed through the lens of college applications, students may hesitate to explore unfamiliar subjects or take risks, fearing adverse assessments.
Even during the relatively relaxed 1980s, I was hesitant to enroll in challenging courses due to concerns about poor grades. I can’t imagine how today’s students, worried about receiving a low grade in a new coding or art class, will approach their education when their portfolios are at stake. Starting this process in ninth grade further diminishes opportunities for students to learn without the pressure of grades dictating their college applications.
Consider a student who would typically embrace new challenges in her freshman and sophomore years, accepting the possibility of failure. Now, that student risks having an underwhelming portfolio for those years, putting her at a disadvantage compared to peers who play it safe. This extended audition period discourages taking risks and embracing hard-to-reach goals.
Moreover, why is the college application process perceived as so critical? I recognize that a college education can pave the way to financial stability, and I applaud efforts to make it more accessible for low-income students. However, these initiatives may merely address surface-level issues rather than tackling deeper problems, such as the systemic challenges faced by impoverished communities. Why can’t local schools provide the same quality of education as more distant, prestigious institutions? Additionally, why are quality colleges out of reach for so many?
Families, like mine, understand that admission to a good college is often seen as essential for financial security. However, I would prefer to see efforts aimed at making college more affordable or enhancing the quality of lower-cost institutions. Perhaps we should even consider whether a college degree is necessary for achieving a middle-class lifestyle. In a society where many struggle financially, the pressure for children to secure admission to the best colleges grows, often at the expense of their childhood and personal development.
In conclusion, while the landscape of college admissions is evolving, it is crucial to strike a balance between preparation and allowing students the freedom to explore and learn without the looming pressure of their future applications hanging over them.
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