The Gatekeepers Applying to college, a very scary but life changing experience, taken on by so many teenagers every year. As shown in the novel, The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg, the college admissions process is tiring, scary, and competitive. As shown here Jordan writes to his colleges, “This decision is, I have to say, hands-down, and the single most intimidating, scary-assed dilemma I’ve ever been faced with” (Steinberg 236). This novel just exemplifies the necessity of being accepted to a college of much prestige. But the admissions process stands in the way of someone getting in to the school one wishes to attend, including one’s SAT scores and racial background all play into the picture. This book opens many peoples’ eyes and makes one realize the reality and all the hard work that needs to be spent. The admissions process is scary and holds many requirements to get in to a school one desires to attend; causing much time to be spent and many difficulties along the road. The desire to get into one’s first college choice has many steps before getting into the school, and these steps are taken through the admissions process. Just as Jordan was on the plane towards home, “…he was still working on his essay for Penn, which he wound up e-mailing to his mother once he arrived” (Steinberg 110). Jordan is showing his dedication to attending a great school by writing his college acceptance letter that will be read by admissions officers and could make or break him. Also the essay is a way to show off and show the school who one is and to brag about one’s accomplishments. Because it is easy to brag but other factors play a role, such as Tiffany waited for her results they looked at, “Only then would Wesleyan know whether her perceived assets – her high SAT scores, her racial background, her mastering of English as a second language – were in demand” (Steinberg 196). The SAT score is a huge requirement most schools look for in a well rounded student. Also, schools look for racial diversity on their campus and Tiffany is hoping her racial background will help her also along with her SAT score. In a way, the admissions process can be very corrupt and unfair to major races on their campus. On the other hand students’ failures and unsuccessfully can help other students trying to apply to schools. For example, the average SAT score plays a role in the acceptance of other students that year and they notice by looking at, “The median SAT score – 1430 in early March – had since fallen, because some of Wesleyan’s highest-scoring applicants chose to go elsewhere, as had been expected”(Steinberg 253). Wesleyan’s SAT scores among the students they admitted had fallen because some higher scoring students chose to go elsewhere. As a result of this change, it may help students with lower scores get into Wesleyan. The hard work put in and the scores put out by students are key instruments in their successful admittance to colleges. Colleges look for the most qualified and well rounded students to attend their college. Because there is such competitiveness between colleges, a school would not let go of a great student for a no good reason. As Julianna was applying, admissions officers that read her story were thinking, “No school would want to see Julianna turn them down for financial reasons.” (Steinberg 246). As a result of Julianna’s qualifications, no school would want to turn her down, so they would give her financial aid and scholarships to make their school more appealing to her. Just as any student who would benefit their school and improve the prestige of their school, would not be turned down by colleges. Also a problem that may affect students is the financial issue, which is up to the school to give to the students who need it the most and are the best qualified. But as presently viewed, “Also affecting applications this year is the shift in financial aid” (Are College Admissions Getting More Competitive? 1). The facts show that since more people are having a hard time paying for the elite schools, the schools are handing out more financial aid, raising the number of applications nationwide. Schools want the best students and the most of them at their school as possible, to raise their prestige and desire. But even though the schools want the best, they have a dilemma by choosing from very qualified and the students that are applying are,” Most candidates applying to top schools have the preparation, performance, and personal qualities to be successful in a highly competitive learning environment” (The Admission Process 1). The fact that most students applying to competitive and outstanding colleges are qualified and able to compete is tremendous. So the dilemma that the colleges have is choosing from the wide array of great students, this just makes the admissions process even scarier for students knowing that there are so many great students. Also, “Selective colleges attract far more qualified candidates than they could possibly accommodate in their freshman classes. The admission process at these schools is highly subjective and arbitrary” (Inside The Admission Process 1). Just as colleges did not have a hard enough choice, since they are so desirable, they attract the best students and that pick is the hardest to eliminate because all of them are well rounded. These students dedicate so much time trying to get accepted by these selective colleges, so that makes the admission process even more difficult. But through this process is the fact that schools try to maintain racial equality causing a person to lose their spot if they are a majority. Because of that, “colleges also admit students based on their own goals for boosting certain student populations” (Inside the Admissions Process). Racial equality and stability is taken on by many colleges to show their diversity. But this can be in fact a flaw because a student that is a minority should not get admitted just because of their race instead of a majority race. But despite all of this, “the best school is the school that fulfills your student’s needs” (A Guide to the Private School Admissions Process). Even though Harvard may be so great, it might not be so great for one who’s major, Harvard does not offer. As a result, if an admissions officer sees that your desired major is not at that school, that student will not be first on the list to be accepted. A well rounded student that can cope with the school work is a better admittance for the admissions officers and will help the over greatness of the school. The admissions process is long and can be very intimidating, but in the end it is all about being a well round hard working student. Also it is important to go to a school that fits one’s person wants not just to go to a prestige school. The admittance process can be “f laud” at sometimes; they have the hardest job because of the competition. Works Cited Steinbeck,
J. (2002) The Gatekeepers: Inside the
admissions process of a premier collegeadmissioninfo.com. 22 June. 2008. Are College Admissions Getting More Competitive?22 Sept. 2008 http://www.collegeadmissioninfo.com/.Collegeboard.com. 2 Sept. 2008. Inside the Admissions Process What Happens to Your Child's Applications?22 Sept. 2008 http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/apply/college-applications/21359.html.Privateschooladmissions.com. 7 July 2008. A Guide to the Private School Admissions Process.22 Sept. 2008 < http://www.privateschooladmissions.com/>. |