Miramonte seniors dread grueling demands of college applications
Most incoming high school seniors like me are nervous about the college application process. Although we’re trying to enjoy summer, applying to schools looms over our heads.
There are over 750 universities in California, 5,000 universities in the U.S. and 25,000 universities worldwide – and it’s up to students to find the ones worth applying to, based on academic programs, cost, class sizes, location and more.
For example, besides academic programs, one of the biggest things I am looking for is a school in an urban city center that can give me access to internships. Schools in Washington, D.C., are at the top of my college list because our capital is home to Congress, embassies, non-profits and law/lobbying firms.
Miramonte college counselors have students align school acceptance rates to our stats and rank the school in one of four boxes: safety, target, reach and dream.
Schools in the 90-100% acceptance rate range are safety schools, and as the percentage decreases, the schools’ rank changes.
If a school has an acceptance rate under 30%, counselors say it’s a reach school no matter how impressive the student is. When the percentage reaches around 12% or less, the school is ranked as a dream school.
Applicants look at the retention rate of the school and the graduation rate – which reveals whether the students are leaving the university for academic, financial or other reasons. And retention and graduation rates are some of the most important factors for students when finalizing their lists.
Students also have to talk with their parents about the cost.
If a student wants to go out of state or attend a private school, the family has to consider if the additional tuition cost is worth it.
When students are accepted into universities, they often have to compare the financial aid packages they’ve received and look into merit scholarships. Schools offer net price calculators that can estimate how much a student and/or their family has to pay.
Figuring out if a student is willing to go into debt – and by how much – is a big conversation for seniors.
The staff at Miramonte’s college and career center helps students find scholarships to apply for based on leadership, community service, GPA, essays and more.
Many students are also looking at the student-to-professor ratio to determine if a school is right for them. Students with focus issues or a preference for hands-on environments might prefer a lower class size.
And don’t forget to look at the social environment of a school.
The student clubs/organizations, whether the school is quiet or party-oriented, diverse, has Greek life, and the mental health/support services – all play a huge factor in whether the student will enjoy the campus or not.
Reese Akel, a Miramonte senior, said she’s looking for a school with great undergraduate research opportunities and an enclosed campus.
“I definitely want a more college-town school with an enclosed campus,” she said, “rather than a school that is woven into a city and you can’t tell where it stops or starts.”
