Avoiding Rough College Competition by Avoiding Rough Ivy Leagues

Avoid Rough College Competition by Avoiding Rough Ivy Leagues
The application process of college was rather easygoing for the Baby Boom generation, born after World War II. The baby boomers who sought to attend a four-year college usually planned to go to a school within their state; many considered a college across the country to be far away. Few students felt the need to apply to more than two or three colleges, and many applied to just one. College choices were most often based on locality, programs, cost, and difficulty of admission, with a parental alma mater sometimes thrown in for good measure. For the most part, the whole process was fairly simple. The result was usually predictable if a student researched college information before deciding where to apply. There were shocks, some pleasant and some upsetting, but the topic of college admissions did not reach a fix of national mania. However, media reports a different story for American senior high school students. Recently many colleges have been breaking records for the number of rejections of applications; this helps competition for admission skyrocket. The best solutions to avoid this competition are to teach high school students creative writing for the application essay, reconsider the importance of the SAT/ACT scores, and avoid applying to ivy-league schools as an incoming freshman.
One main reason for why it is harder to get into four-year colleges today seems to be that more high school graduates than ever are competing for seats in the freshman class. Part of the increase is the result of immigration, but most of the growth is due to the baby boomers that demanded higher education in the decades after World War II. The problem is not just demographics, however. Application numbers have grown much faster. Important social changes have taken place as well. Not only are more students graduating from high school each year, more of them want to go to college as well. A college education is progressively seen as key to success in American society, just as a high school diploma was once the minimum requirement. The value of a college diploma associated with lifelong earnings and many wanted careers require education further than the bachelor’s degree. As a result, more students are seeking to attend four-year colleges, including students from underrepresented minority groups whose college participation rate used to be low.
A distinct pattern is emerging from the new college application prompts recently. Many college prompts have taken a turn toward silly and absurd ideas. What is shown, however, are creative writing prompts. These are the exact type of questions English teachers would ask students to practice and sharpen their writing. The trouble is no one teaches creative writing to kids anymore. It slowly digressed when students and parents started panicking over grades and test scores. Creative writing prompts are good news for students, and those at the college who read their essays. But there is a disconnection in American education system: While colleges seem to be pleading students to display their creativity in the these essays, many high schools are not teaching them how to do it.
English classes now focus on the opposite of creative expression. Teachers are pressured to teach students only what they need to know in order to score high SAT and ACT tests. Of course, some unique teachers squeeze in some creative writing instruction–but they are the exception. At the same time, college application essays are often a deciding factor in choosing among all the students who have near-perfect qualifications, including test scores. The creative writing prompts trend tells applicants that colleges want students to use these essays to stand out among the competition. But no one has taught them how to convey their individuality through writing.
Although standardized testing helps ranks students on a national level, colleges should place less emphasis on the SAT and ACT. Test scores do not accurately assess the knowledge of a student. A student that has one off day may change his life forever. For example, the student did not get enough sleep the night before the SAT or ACT, and then due to the excessive importance of the test, their dream college will not accept them. It also does not show one’s true potential; low scores can fade away accomplishments. Kids living in rundown communities have many other obligations that take away dedication from schoolwork. Even the brightest, due to culture, family values etc., have limited resources and opportunity. Because those who truly are not able to dedicate enough time to study end up with low SAT/ACT scores that put them in bad light. They are not able to show their true potential therefore losing admittance to their dream colleges. While useful, they do not prove success. There are several people who have had excellent careers in college academically, while under-performing on the SAT. Stories about how one sibling outscored another on the SAT, and yet the sibling with the lower score earned an honors level degree, while the sibling with a higher score graduated with no honors are not uncommon. If the SAT had been the only evaluation tool, the sibling with the lower would not have had the opportunity that he or she did. Not all students perform well on standardized exams and, therefore, they shouldn't be the emphasis when considering admission. Furthermore, standardized tests are not always the best way to asses sstudents. Often, standardized tests focus on how well a student can use test-taking skills, as opposed to knowledge of the material. All of this leads to pressured tests that stress students and decrease their potential.

Success is idolized in society and American high school students have been taught to succeed at an early age. Therefore, students have come to believe that in order to succeed a bachelor’s degree from an ivy league school is vital. Although the ranking of a medical or law school is too important to employers to be ignored, an undergraduate experience can justifiably be chosen on the basis of personal preference and fit. It is almost impossible for one to say that twenty-five colleges in the country that would be suitable for a single applicant who had seriously prepared for the application process. It is unlikely one would choose a spouse based on his prestige, selectivity, or prowess in athletics. It is natural to choose a spouse, or a place to live, or a book to read by first understanding one's own likes and dislikes, and the likelihood that the choice will prove beneficial, all based on past experience. Similarly, a college should be chosen only once the applicant understands whether he learns best by listening or interacting, whether he is self-disciplined or requires some external motivation, and a dozen other qualities about himself. Only then can he learn what different schools have to offer and which is best for him.
The best solutions to avoid this competition are to teach high school students creative writing for the application essay, reconsider the importance of the SAT/ACT scores, and avoid applying to ivy-league schools as an incoming freshman. Learning competition and success at a young age is important, therefore high school students feel the urge to earn their bachelor’s degree at an Ivy League school. However, college should be a time for exploration and finding one’s self in the process. The most important thing to remember throughout this process is that they are the most important people in their individual lives. As a near college student, senior high schools are almost considered adults. They are the only ones in this world who have the power to completely change the direction of any aspect of their lives; therefore, they should take control.