Comstock's magazine 0919 - September 2019 | Page 62

n EDUCATION
T
he sweeping college admissions scandal that broke scandal demonstrates just how far some will go. So, what
in March 2019 exposed an intricate web of pay-to- do college admissions officers look for in undergraduate
play and bribery schemes by wealthy parents, college applicants, and are there elements that can boost a stu-
coaches and administrators for select students to gain dent’s chances? Programs such as AP and International
entry into some of the country’s most elite universities. Baccalaureate may be differentiators in the admissions
Federal prosecutors charged 50 of these people from across and readiness process, as can alternative pathways like
the United States with paying millions in bribes to college transferring from community college or taking a gap year.
consultant and former Carmichael resident William “Rick”
Singer — through his nonprofit Key Worldwide Foundation — SPECIAL PROGRAMS, OTHER OPTIONS
and accepting entitlements to get children into top colleges by With tens of thousands of undergrads applying each year
cheating on entrance exams and bribing athletic coaches and for limited spots, the UC and California State University
administrators for admission spots.
systems have approved admission criteria for assessing
“The news of the scandal was certainly disappointing incoming freshmen. While the strength of a student’s
for (University of California) and nationwide,” says Dar- academic record is one of its top considerations, the UC
lene Hunter, senior director for UC Davis undergraduate system has established 14 factors — both academic and
admissions. “UC continues to be committed to a fair and nonacademic — for undergraduate admissions.
transparent admissions process that is based on student merit
“Every single UC campus does something a little bit dif-
and achievement and represents a level playing field.”
ferently, but the criteria never change,” says Hunter. “Some
With educational opportunity and access growing, the campuses use qualitative and quantitative measures, and
U.S. Department of Education’s
some use a holistic review method-
National Center for Education
ology of assessment. That’s what
Statistics estimates that 20.5 mil-
the Davis campus uses.”
lion students will attend U.S.
A holistic review includes as-
colleges and universities by 2027,
sessing an applicant’s unique
up from 15.3 million in 2000. Stu-
experiences
alongside
tradi-
dents with competitive grades,
tional measures of academic
high test scores and a long list of
achievement, such as grades and
extracurriculars are being turned
test scores. Hunter points to some
away from four-year colleges that
of the nonacademic criteria that
statistically would have offered
add value, such as special talents,
admission a decade ago.
achievements and awards in a
Declan DeGeorge, a 2018 grad-
particular field; experiences that
uate of California High School in
demonstrate unusual promise for
San Ramon, applied to 10 colleges
leadership; and accomplishments
for engineering and biology with a
in spite of life experiences and
4.3 grade point average (which in-
special circumstances. “We’re
cluded five Advanced Placement
looking for students that challenge
Emily St. Denis, 2019 salutatorian,
classes and three honors classes),
themselves within the curriculum
Oakmont High School
a 1,540 score on the SAT (out of a
of the educational opportunities
possible 1,600), participation in
for their respective high school,”
two sports, and community service and work experience. He Hunter says, “but we’re also looking for students who tell
confidently expected to get into several colleges.
their story.”
Instead, he was rejected by San Diego State University and
The CSU system is a little more straightforward, with
four University of California campuses, waitlisted at three three criteria: earn a high school diploma or equivalent,
other colleges, and admitted to UC Santa Barbara and his complete 15 required high school courses with a grade of
safety school, University of Washington. “I questioned why I C or better, submit SAT or ACT scores, and meet or exceed
had tried so hard if it wasn’t going to pay off for me,” DeGeorge the CSU minimum eligibility index. But with impacted and
says. He selected UC Santa Barbara.
competitive campuses such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Parents and students are understandably anxious about and San Diego State — where there are more qualified ap-
their college prospects, and the recent bribery and cheating plicants than available spaces — admissions officers review
“One of the really good
things about (International
Baccalaureate) is that I felt
like I really taught myself
how to study and how to
learn. I now have the work
ethic and skill set to succeed
wherever I go.”
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comstocksmag.com | September 2019