In recent decades, attending college has become more and more important for securing a rewarding, well-paying job.  For this reason, a vast majority—72%— of all high schoolers in New York State go directly from high school to college.  Since many colleges have significantly decreased their acceptance rates in recent years due to an influx of applications, Schreiber should have a college center and college-specific counselors to aid students in preparing earlier and more efficiently for what their future academic journeys hold.  

Although our school has some college preparation resources, such as guidance counselors who are assigned to roughly 90 students in each grade, more support could be provided.  For instance, some public high schools have college-specific courses and resource centers to help students chart the path to applying to their dream universities beginning in their freshman year.  By expanding its college application support services, Schreiber should follow in these other schools’ footsteps by providing students with individualized attention to aid them in strategically attacking the college application process, including developing stand-out essays.

  By offering a preparatory curriculum on the college application process, Schreiber could ensure that even ninth graders understand the academic and extracurricular requirements for college acceptances and success.  The school should create optional opportunities for students to be assessed at different points during their high school careers to determine if they are on track to achieve their higher education goals.  Furthermore, the presence of college admissions experts at the school will help students internalize exactly what is expected of them for success.  As a result, Schreiber should focus on providing additional college-specific counseling for students.

“I like the idea of Schrieber starting college prep at a young age because then students will feel more prepared,” said freshman Olivia Gade. 

Without this early preparation, students may feel stressed and overwhelmed at times during their junior and senior years, when college applications are being written and standardized tests, like the ACT and SAT, are typically taken.  Grades and college preparation are the main sources of stress for students which can cause serious mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.  In order to minimize the amount of cumulative stress that students experience in the latter years of high school when standardized testing dates are bountiful, classes are difficult, and applications are opened, college preparation courses should be offered early in students’ academic career instead.

“Stress is very common, so if our school has college courses to reduce it, great!” said freshman Juliet Feinblum. 

If Schreiber provided free college counseling opportunities, it would also be beneficial for students who do not have or cannot afford a private counselor; this will undoubtedly create a huge impact on many students’ lives. 

In addition, the more preparation that students undergo, the more confident they will feel throughout the tiresome and troubling college process.  This scholarly confidence will allow students to embrace opportunities instead of backing away from them and may also positively affect students’ mental and emotional well-being.

“Confidence is a key point to success and I think that the more preparation students get will have a major influence on the way they succeed,” said freshman Athena Dritsas. 

Schreiber should have more counselors, who are focused specifically on college admissions and preparation, because students would benefit in numerous ways.  Stress will be reduced, as students will begin to plan for the college application process earlier in their high school experience; consequently, students will feel more confident and prepared for their future academic careers.  Furthermore, school-provided services will benefit students who cannot afford to have a college coach outside of school.  Schreiber would positively impact the lives of countless students by increasing its college application support services.