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College Prep
"Doctor"
Dave's Prescriptions
For Your Academic Ailments
BY DAVE PETERSON
© Copyright
2005 by Parents' Press
Originally published in the January 2005 print edition of Parents'
Press
Illustration © 2001, Artville, LLC
January finds high school juniors scurrying to end the first semester with top grades, making New Year's resolutions about the best ways to spend their time, and wondering how weaknesses in their records may affect college admission chances. Your questions reflect all those areas; here are the most common:
Q. Can you
suggest a new way to approach making New Year's resolutions that
really count?
A. How about reviewing a few "four-letter words" that
will impact your life:
Time.
It's all you have, as much as anyone else, but it needs to be
used productively.
Plan,
so that you use your time well and are prepared for future decisions.
Work
on your own growth and development, not on "scheming"
for college admission.
Play,
because life should be enjoyed along the way!
Dare
to be different, to take reasonable chances, to be interesting
and unique.
Read,
to escape being ignorant, to grow in ideas, to learn, to find
out about college options.
Talk
with everyone about your options, career ideas, college plans,
time uses, whatever.
Give
some time, energy, support, and caring to those who need help.
Q. This semester
is not producing the results I hoped for. What changes must I
make?
A. First, let's find out why. Are you working hard but finding
the junior courses difficult? If you are properly placed in classes,
be proud of your effort. You may be hitting your stride and need
to choose colleges that match your abilities instead of impressive
names. But if you are not working as hard as you might, fix the
problems preventing this, and buckle down in these few weeks
before mid-terms and in the spring semester. In any case, the
year is only half over, and sensible changes can correct any
problems this spring. Take heart! Take the challenge! Don't
stew do!
Q. I can't
say no when anyone asks me to help or join. I'm so involved in
activities that my grades are suffering.
A. Everyone will understand when you back out of some activities
to bring your grades back up. Do it politely, regretfully, with
some lead time, so no one is caught short. Focus now on just
a couple of of activities that you are most talented in and most
love doing. Then hit the books for the rest of this, your biggest
year. Colleges ignore big-time joiners with small-time GPAs.
Q. My grades
are below average, but I really want to get some higher education.
What are my chances?
A. Many colleges will admit students with modest grades. If your
record by graduation does not suggest a four-year college right
away, improve your readiness for a term or two with reading and
study, or attend a local community college and transfer later.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Q. I will
be graduating with only two years of a language, and without
a year of math. Am I washed up?
A. No way. A number of accredited colleges will accept fewer
than the usual number of years in these areas, but they may expect
you to make up those credits during college terms or summers.
Some college guidebooks list schools that permit exceptions
to the normal requirements; ask a guidance counselor to help
you look.
Q. I have
a great record in one area of talent, but it has taken all my
free time. Is this a problem?
A. Colleges prize the high achiever with great commitment over
the well-rounded type who rolls in whatever direction he's pushed!
Write a terrific essay about the sacrifices you have had to make
in the pursuit of excellence. No need to apologize.
Q. I'm missing
advanced courses because my little high school can't afford to
offer them. Help!
A. Be sure your colleges know the gap is beyond your control;
they will understand. Or you can do some independent study, and
your initiative will count big time!
Q. Does my
ethnic background present an admission problem?
A. Almost never, so long as your record and achievements are
a good match for the college's standards. Colleges all hope
for diversity on campus, and that means you!
Q. In spite
of hard work this spring, I'm going to have a disappointing junior
year. Help!
A. Consider make-up courses this summer. Or at least arrange
and work for a gangbusters' fall term as a senior, and apply
as late as possible to show that improvement.
Q. My stats
are great, but for various reasons my achievement record is nil.
How can I compensate?
A. Many colleges "admit by the numbers" and downplay
activity records. Often these are large state institutions where
subjective admission criteria are discouraged. Ask your counselor.
Q. I have
had to work long hours to earn money for college. Result: no
activities . . .
A. Your serious employment is a great achievement for a great
reason. Tell about it!
Q. I simply
cannot learn math. Am I doomed?
A. You are in need of special help. Perhaps you have a perceptual
impairment that needs work, or math anxiety, which can also be
addressed. Or perhaps you have missed too much learning in the
math basics. In any case, professional help is important now.
Q. I am maxed
out in my major extra-curricular activity, and really anxious
to try another area. Reaction?
A. No problem if you tell colleges why you chose to diversify;
they may value your reasons.
Q. I just
woke up! Is it too late for anything decent to happen to me?
A. Hello, and welcome to the world! No, every day is the first
day of the rest of your life. Start showing real evidence you
want to escape "dumbness," and colleges will start
showing interest. But you may need to take some make-up courses
to meet admission requirements.
Dave Peterson has been an admissions officer, high school teacher, counselor, guidance director, and consultant to the College Board. This article first appeared in longer form in the October 1997 issue of Parent.TEEN.
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CLICK HERE for more College Prep articles by Dave Peterson. COLLEGE
PREP Dave Peterson is a college counselor, a former college admissions officer and a consultant to the College Board. He used to run the "old" America Online/College Board college admissions message boards under the screen name of CBD Dave. |