#11 Holistically Accepted

Teach to the test. That's the command many districts are giving these days. Get our student prepared to test well and appear successful under the scrutiny neighboring schools, counties, states, or even countries judge our education standards. Will it be effective enough for admission to our universities? What happens to the students who come from districts that eliminated all extra-curricular activities, music, P.E., and even interest groups? Do we think they'll make the cut in the new challenges universities are expecting our students to complete and show evidence of completion?

To gain admission into various institutions throughout the nation, the requirements vary. One thing that seems to be changing and becoming more common place is the inclusion of an essay or further involvement in extra-curricular activities or community organizations. No longer can a student be admitted under the review of high GPA, SAT, or ACT scores. According to this article at New York Times, public universities around the nation are utilizing a holistic or comprehensive review of student applicants. What do we think the trend will be after the budget crisis is eventually averted if it ever is? Will higher learning be an untouchable for more and more students? Currently, California is bankrupt. Our schools have cut music education, physical education, and extra-curricular activities for years for various reasons. The trend in schools out here is to focus mainly upon reading, writing and arithmetic. I worry that this will adversely affect the next generation's ability to perform at the higher learning level.

I think it's a smart move on the part of the universities around the nation. Why not know they have students who will have more of an impact upon their peers beyond being book smart? Promotion of students who are more well rounded will provide higher learning that is well rounded. There are many students who may be meant for the classroom for life, but can they practically apply their book smarts to the street and job world? Not everyone can. With this shift in admissions process across the nation, we'll find more people are going to need to get their noses out of their books enough to move to the next level.

Join community organizations, seek out districts and schools that promote diversity in curriculum and activities. Make yourself the jack of all trades and become holistically accepted.