Summer school, Ivy League style

You had a 4.0. You took eight Advanced Placement classes. You got a 1500 on the SATs. You… You had a 4.0. You took eight Advanced Placement classes. You got a 1500 on the SATs. You lettered in three sports and were the captain of your track team. You were your student government president. You sang in the choir. You were active in your church youth group and were a leader for the middle schoolers. You taught Sunday school. You even gave blood every 60 days once you became old enough.

And that used to be enough. Enough to be more than competitive with the nation’s best and brightest. Enough to be fairly confident in gaining admission to one of the nation’s top universities. Enough to be offered a fairly substantial scholarship by at least a few top-tier universities – maybe even a full ride.

Not any more, according to an Aug. 21 New York Times article. No longer are extracurriculars and AP classes viewed by undergraduate admissions offices at the nation’s top colleges as extras or stars on students’ resumes.

“More and more colleges are looking for at least one summer of an academic program,” the article cites Darlene Giraitis, Columbia’s director of Secondary School Programs, as saying, “I see the emphasis becoming greater and greater.”

So, while the mantra of college applicants everywhere has been “be the most well-rounded student I can be” for years, it seems the emphasis on standing out by being good at many things has been overshadowed. Instead, the expectation appears to have shifted to an applicant’s ability to be accepted into – and then to shell out $5,000 or more for – one of a growing number of summer sessions (some for credit, some not) at some of the nation’s most prestigious schools.

Having collegiate experience before high school graduation is longer exceptional, but a requirement for a sparkling high school resume.

A number of significant concerns come to mind considering the current state of affairs. Of greatest concern is the emphasis on the financial. Surely only a minority of the country’s smartest high schoolers have $5,000 just lying around. Even with a substantial scholarship, the cost of these programs is certainly prohibitive. This new resume embellishment, while certainly a worthwhile experience to those who have both the time and the cash, primarily serves to further rubber stamp the applications of wealthy students. Certainly, this emphasis has racial and class implications.

Additionally, the admissions policies of the nation’s top universities shape the admissions process and expectations for the rest of the nation. In order to improve their academic reputations and rankings, college admissions offers bend to compete with the norms set by these universities.

It seems the admissions offices everywhere need a reality check. There’s something to be said for being a standout, all-around good kid – even if he or she doesn’t have an extra few thousand available for summer school.