The college application process is often very confusing for the large number of high school seniors that apply yearly. This is unfortunate because it can create additional stress that frequently makes their already busy schedules more hectic. The proposed manual will reduce the stress associated with the college application process through the introduction of student-oriented strategies to make the process easier.
The first section of the guide will contain basic information regarding deadline/time management, essays, letters of recommendation, interviews, and confusing terminology. It will be written in an easy-to-read style that will keep the students’ interest. The second section will include information specific to the spotlight schools (Clemson University, College of Charleston, and University of South Carolina-Columbia). This section will include information regarding application requirements and deadlines, SAT/ACT ranges, AP policies, application fees, and how to apply to the each school’s honors program.
These sections will give students a better idea about how to apply to the spotlight colleges in South Carolina, as they will come away with a better understanding of the application process. An increased understanding will decrease student’s stress, while also demonstrating if that college is feasible. College admission offices may also be assisted by the guide, as they will have fewer questions from students.
Current Situation:
The college admissions process is getting more competitive and therefore more stressful for students. In fact, 65% of students surveyed by the Princeton Review feel high levels of stress about the college application process. This number is up 6 percentage points from last year’s survey (Zernike). College admissions officers are even aware of the stress students often feel during the application process. For example, the dean of admissions at MIT considers the stress a health risk for teenagers (Gamerman). The college application process is not just stressful for students; parents often report higher stress levels as they hope that their children gain admission into the best college possible. Parental involvement, and parental stress, only serves to increase the tension felt by students. It also is thought that applications produced by students under a great deal of stress could be less successful.
Despite the increased awareness of the problem students are faced with upon applying to college, relatively little research has been done on the topic. This lack of research only adds to the anxiety many students feel as they don’t have access to help and advice. Furthermore, most of the material dealing with the college application process is either geared towards parents, written by adults, or both. Consequently, there is a need for a how-to manual directed towards students that will alleviate the stress they feel.
Project Plan:
The product will be broken into two sections: general advice and an in-depth section on each of the three spotlight schools (Clemson University, University of South Carolina and College of Charleston). The presentation of the material will be in a user friendly format, possibly as a website or email newsletter. It will be written in an informal way and geared towards students, not parents.
The material covered in the general advice section will include deadline/time management, essays, letters of recommendation, interviews, and confusing terminology. Suggestions and advice will be given for each of the subsections listed above in an effort to make completing each step as easy and painless as possible for the student. In addition, timelines and checklists will be included for the student to use. The information in this section will be compiled from personal experiences, admissions officers’ advice and current literature on the subject.
The section on each spotlighted college will include specific information on application requirements and deadlines, SAT/ACT ranges, AP policies, application fees, and how to apply to the each school’s honors program. Links will also be provided to the colleges’ admission websites and, if permitted, contact information for admissions officers will be given. Information in this section will come directly from the college’s website and admissions material. Additional material may be gathered from sources such as the Princeton Review.
Qualifications:
The writers have successfully applied to more than one school, including the spotlight schools. We are able to write with a student’s perspective and have immediate access to admissions counselors. We will also use current materials written about our topic to reinforce our ideas. These outside sources will also give us more opinions.
Budget (timeline):
· Admissions counselors from the three spotlight schools will be contacted by Friday 19th with requests for information and advice.
· Specific information about applications for the spotlight schools will be gathered by Monday 22nd.
· Information will be completely compiled by the first week in October and writing will begin.
· Work on the presentation medium will begin as soon as first draft is complete. It should be finished by November 11th.
Conclusion:
One of the most stressful times during high school is the college application season, because many are unfamiliar with the college application process. There are guides for parents, but none, if few, for actual students. A guide to college applications for the three main South Carolina colleges is much needed, as it will decrease student’s stress. Our guide will contain two sections, the first of which will contain general information that can be applied to most colleges. This section will give students a better understanding of what they should be doing to gain admission. Another section will give detailed facts about each spotlight university, and together with the previous section, students will come away with comprehensive knowledge of how to apply to each spotlight college.
Additionally, the writers’ previous experience and their availability to information will allow for an inclusive guide. To ensure that the guide is understood by the audience, a student friendly format will be used. Another benefit includes an organized timeline that will allow room for reworking and editing.
Because of the previously mentioned strengths, our manual will be well written and easy to understand for the audience. The manual will reduce the students’ stress, while increasing their confidence.
Works Cited:
1. Ellen Gamerman (2005, September 17). Family -- Application Season: Beating College Stress; Movie night, anyone? Ellen Gamerman finds new ways families alleviate high-school anxiety. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), p. P.24. Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Wall Street Journal database. (Document ID: 898321931).
2. Zernike, Kate. "Ease Up, Top Colleges Tell Stressed Applicants." The New York Times (Dec 7, 2000 pA1(L) col 02 (35 col): A1(L). General OneFile. Gale. Clemson University. 15 Sept. 2008
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