Eighteen-year-old Katharine Blackman entered the ninth grade at Viewpoint School in California four years ago, with college already at the front of her mind.
From that point on, every summer was carefully planned with extracurricular activities and internship experiences that would strengthen her college application. She worked her hardest in all classes through freshman and sophomore year.
Then junior year arrived and Blackman found herself taking Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry, AP English Language, AP Spanish Language, AP US History, and Honors Math Analysis. Though this year was the most stressful in her opinion, Blackman persisted to keep her grades up to provide an impressive transcript.
“I think my junior year was the worst. I had at least five hours of homework most nights, and I usually stayed up until about 1 or 2 in the morning studying for tests,” said Blackman, now a senior.
Many students feel the need to attend a certain college, and unknowingly increase the pressure on them in an already complex process. In addition to that, students can feel pressured by parents, teachers and peers to the point where it all becomes too much. Japanese society is a perfect example of overwhelming pressure on students.
In Japan, there are test preparation schools, rather than college preparation schools, just to do well on a test to get into the college of their choice. There is extreme pressure for kids to go to the right preparation school, then to the right college, to get the right job to be prosperous in their society.
“I’m proud of the students that work hard because they have pride in themselves, but I don’t think it is necessary to overburden them with work and worry and kill them with our expectations,” said Jo Nakama, who owned her own school in Tokyo, Japan teaching English and American culture.
Performance-driven suicides, or inseki-jisatsu, are not uncommon in Japan among high school students. The fact that U.S. rates are rapidly catching up to Japan is a cause for alarm, though.
The U.S. offers the right and opportunity to pursue higher education even if not at a prestigious university, but the college application and acceptance process is intimidating in itself. First students must choose the schools right for them. This can range from school location, student to teacher ratio, urban or rural areas, small colleges or large universities, etc.
After choosing the colleges one wishes to apply to, complete applications must be put together, including SAT or ACT scores, volunteer hours, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, the application fee and other things of this nature. In order to make deadlines, for applications and financial aid, this must be accomplished during the school year while still taking all regular classes and keeping up with homework.
Seventeen-year-old Leeza Arbiv knows the importance of maintaining good grades. Currently at number 12 in her junior class, she is striving to earn a spot in the top five, which would place her in the top eight percent. The top eight percent have much greater chances of being accepted to various Universities of California (UC).
“It is very stressful for teens because this is something that can affect your whole life, and you are competing against thousands of other students for a few acceptances a college has. Then, you are also competing for financial aid,” said Arbiv, a student at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS).
Being a senior doesn’t necessarily mean less work. Blackman is now taking AP Calculus BC, AP English Literature, AP Psychology and Honors Physics; however, all of her hard work has already been rewarded.
“I’m going to UC Berkeley next year. It felt great when I was accepted into UCLA, UC Berkeley and USC. I think I made the process a little more stressful than it had to be, but I have no major regrets because I worked as hard as I could for the past four years,” Blackman said.
Seniors at DPMHS are congratulated on their college acceptances.
Additional college acceptances are celebrated at DPMHS.
College brochures contain helpful information for students at DPMHS.
The Common Application (http://www.commonapp.org/) is a non-profit membership organization, founded 35 years ago, that provides general online and printable applications for students and school officials. Membership is open to colleges and universities such as Yale, Columbia, Harvard, and public colleges. This program is now often used to assist in the college application process.
The Princeton Review (http://www.princetonreview.com/) offers assistance with testing such as the SAT and ACT.
Students can search for grants and scholarships at www.PrincetonReview.com/CollegeFinance.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. (CHCI) has partnered with State Farm Insurance to create the College Preparatory Kit for High School Students which offers tips on organizing time for applications and various tips at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/23626.html
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