Oh dear, it looks like the college application journey now kicks off in ninth grade!
When I was in high school, I didn’t give serious thought to college until the fall of my senior year. I filled out a handful of applications, waited patiently, and chose the one that offered the best financial aid. While it wasn’t completely hassle-free, it certainly wasn’t the exhausting four-year endurance test that students face today.
A New Initiative
A new initiative led by a group called the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success—comprised of 80 colleges and universities—suggests that students should not only utilize a common application system (which is already in practice thanks to the Common Application) but also develop online portfolios showcasing their work starting in ninth grade. According to NPR, Zina Evans, the vice president for enrollment management at the University of Florida, stated that students will be able to upload samples of their work from as early as ninth grade when they apply in their senior year. This creates a digital portfolio of sorts.
The application process will take place on a free website, serving as a single access point for all participating colleges. The Huffington Post notes that this platform allows students to send their applications from one location, while also providing them with tools to start preparing years ahead of time. Students will have the opportunity to seek guidance from college admissions offices and can collaborate with their teachers and counselors to create these digital portfolios.
Concerns About Early Preparation
While I appreciate that this initiative offers students who may lack access to college counselors—or any adult support in navigating the admissions process—a way to connect with admissions offices, I’m less enthusiastic about the “years in advance” aspect. Aren’t we supposed to be promoting free-range parenting? Shouldn’t kids be encouraged to explore, experiment, and fail without constant adult supervision?
High school is a significant portion of childhood, and it feels like it’s being transformed into one long college audition. Just as preschool and elementary school should focus on learning and exploration, so too should high school—and indeed, college should foster similar values. If students approach each project with the worry of how it may affect their college applications, they’ll be less likely to take risks or dive into new subjects for the sheer joy of learning.
Even in the more relaxed atmosphere of the 1980s, I hesitated to enroll in challenging classes out of fear of receiving a poor grade. I can’t imagine a student today wanting to enroll in a coding class or an advanced art course if they’re concerned about how a mediocre grade might impact their portfolio. Starting this “audition” process as early as ninth grade takes away precious time that could have been spent exploring subjects without worrying about grades.
The Risk of Playing It Safe
Consider a student who is willing to push herself to try new and challenging classes during her first two years of high school. If she aims to explore freely but ends up with an empty portfolio during that time, she will be at a disadvantage compared to students who played it safe and focused on maintaining higher grades. This extended portfolio requirement discourages genuine effort and risk-taking.
Broader Implications
Another issue I find troubling: Why is the college application process treated as so pivotal? While I understand that a college degree often serves as a pathway to the middle class, I believe that these attempts to make it more accessible for low-income students are merely temporary solutions to deeper societal issues. Why is poverty so entrenched? And why shouldn’t local schools provide just as good an education as more distant institutions? Additionally, why are “prestigious” colleges so out of reach for so many?
Families like mine are acutely aware that gaining admission to a reputable college is crucial for financial stability. However, I’d prefer to see efforts aimed at reducing college costs, improving the quality of affordable colleges, or even (yes, I’m asking a lot here) making a college degree less essential for achieving a middle-class lifestyle. We live in a society where many struggle financially, creating immense pressure on children to secure spots in the best colleges—often at the expense of their childhood.
Conclusion
In summary, the college application process is shifting to start as early as ninth grade, pushing students to curate portfolios over four years. While this aims to provide guidance for those in need, it may also stifle exploration and risk-taking during critical developmental years. It raises concerns about the pressure placed on students and the broader implications of how society values education.
Keyphrase: college application process
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