Students often wonder, “How will college admissions officers’ view this?” in reference to a grade, an extracurricular activity, or topics for college essays. In other words, teens worry about impressing admissions officers, or risk not being accepted to college.
Amidst the competitiveness in education, students often search for the “right” combination of factors including: GPA, activities, courses, and essay topics to secure acceptance. In doing so, they may inadvertently sideline their interests, ending up anxious about how to distinguish themselves in their applications.
Moreover, students often perceive a college degree as their “Golden Ticket,” a guarantee of economic prosperity, which intensifies pressure to attend college. Consequently, students can be concerned that their experiences may not align with what admissions officers seemingly desire, fearing a future of financial insecurity.
Additionally, considering the continually rising costs of college which a family may strain to pay, many students are anxious about attending a college which justifies such a burden, and increase opportuntiies of a job after graduation. Many, thus, seek to hedge their chances of acceptance by impressing admissions officers.
Instead, students and their families can ask, “Why is a particular college worth my time and tuition?” Then, students can begin reflecting on their academic interests, the learning environment where they thrive, as well as internship opportunities. In setting criteria based on their needs, students can choose a university which suits them.
Families are empowered to form a partnership with a university, so a student better understands their talents and their place in the world. Yet, students (and their families) then are responsible to know what they seek, rather than reacting to what they believe an admissions officer wants.
For over twenty years, Creative Marbles experts have moderated family conversations regarding complex educational decisions, lending our expertise to reduce the risk of malinvestment. For more information, contact us.
