When I was navigating high school, the college application journey truly began in the fall of my senior year. I submitted five applications, waited a few months, and picked the school that offered the best financial aid. It wasn’t a walk in the park, but it certainly didn’t resemble the marathon that today’s students face.
Well, let’s correct that—it’s more of a four-year marathon now. A new initiative from a group known as the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success, which includes 80 colleges and universities, suggests that students should start building online portfolios of their work as early as ninth grade. According to a report by NPR, Zina Johnson, a vice president for enrollment management at the University of Florida, stated that students can upload work samples dating back to ninth grade when they apply during their senior year. It’s essentially a digital locker for showcasing their achievements.
The application process will be centralized through a free website that serves as a single portal for all participating colleges. As mentioned in The Huffington Post, this platform allows students to submit applications conveniently while offering tools to start years ahead. Students will have access to college admissions advice and can build digital portfolios with assistance from teachers and counselors.
While I value the initiative to support students who lack access to college guidance, I’m not thrilled about the “years in advance” aspect. Aren’t we trying to promote free-range parenting? Shouldn’t kids have the chance to explore and learn without adult oversight at every turn? The high school experience—much like earlier educational stages—should be about discovery and learning, not merely a prolonged audition for college.
In my own high school days during the relatively easy-going 1980s, I hesitated to enroll in challenging classes due to grade anxiety. I can’t imagine how today’s students might feel—afraid to take a coding class or a figure drawing course for fear of receiving a mediocre grade, which could tarnish their portfolio. By pushing the start of this audition to ninth grade, we rob kids of precious time to engage in learning for the joy of it, unburdened by the pressure of assessment.
Consider a student who would typically embrace new challenges in ninth and tenth grade and is willing to accept the possibility of failure. Now, due to the pressure of maintaining a robust portfolio, that student might hold back, resulting in an empty portfolio for those crucial years, putting her at a disadvantage to those who played it safe. A four-year portfolio system discourages risk-taking and genuine effort.
Furthermore, why is the college application process so critical? I understand the value of a college education as a pathway to the middle class, and I commend efforts to make it more accessible for low-income families. However, I feel this approach is just a temporary fix, a Band-Aid for deeper systemic issues. Why is poverty so entrenched? Why can’t local schools provide an equally valuable education as those further away? Why are quality colleges out of reach for so many?
Families like mine recognize the importance of attending a good college for financial stability. However, I would prefer to see efforts aimed at reducing college costs, improving the quality of affordable institutions, or even re-evaluating the necessity of a college degree for a middle-class lifestyle. We live in a society where financial struggle is prevalent, creating immense pressure on children to strive for the best colleges—often at the expense of their childhood.
In summary, the journey of preparing for college has shifted dramatically, with an early emphasis on building portfolios that may stifle creativity and exploration. As parents and educators, we must consider how this affects our children’s overall development and well-being.
For more insights on this topic, check out our post on Navigating the College Application Process. And if you’re seeking tools for home insemination, consider visiting Make a Mom, a reputable source for at-home insemination syringe kits. For a wealth of resources on pregnancy and home insemination, Rmany is an excellent place to turn.
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