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Jurnee Richardson

Mr. Taylor

Honors English II

24 May 2019

College acceptance Problem-Solution Essay

Did you know that the college acceptance rate, from the top 50 colleges across the

country, have decreased 13.3% since year 2006-2018 (Steele) . This argument is alarming

because high school students are currently facing the hard reality of not being accepted into

colleges. As the college acceptance rates decrease year by year it is only safe to say there needs

to be a change. It was easier for former generations than it has or will be for current or

continuing generations to get into college.

The competition is on for high school students to get into college. With acceptance rates

decreasing and acceptance requirements increasing in quality, it is stressful on high school

students to achieve the “perfect college” look to get accepted. For example in 1990, schools

reported that about only five percent of students were taking rigorous courses. In comparison to

2006 studies show that about thirteen percent of students were taking rigorous courses (Rogers).

Also stated in the above paragraph the number of students getting into colleges across the

country has decreased. These statistics are alarming to high school students to continue taking

school religiously. Yes, high school students are directly targeted in this crisis but it also will

affect later generations without any adjustments.

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The continuing decrease in the college acceptance rates are troubling to current high

school students, because this is their time to truly prove themselves. That statement is also easier

said than done. There are so many expectations for the adolescence and even some studies show

that by time students get to college they are “burned out”. Having to deal with daily obstacles,

ACT’S, SAT’S, AP courses, etc there is not a lot of time for high school students to relax and

focus on their mental health which is causes lots of stress. These students are also being

compared to previous generations but they can not be compared when the playing field is not the

same.

Why are colleges looking for the smartest and richest children and not the children that

will create a better tomorrow? More ideas about how colleges should select their annually

accepted students are arising. The method includes analyzing students more on their

personalities, practical intelligence and submitting x number of essays in their applications.

(Gonchar). By proposing this way of accepting students there are less stressors on the high

school students. The high school student would not be as worried about getting a perfect score on

exams and could focus on actual learning, while colleges are enhancing their look on

maintaining a happy campus. With this change in requirements to get into colleges there are also

critics. Those critics may think high school should show the students intelligence. With this

improved method of accepting students critics may think getting into a specific college is an easy

shot. Those critics are looking at this change as a negative reinforcement but not seeing the

students perspective.

College acceptance over the decades has gotten harder, but with the help of colleges, high

schools, and other educational leaders there could be a change. There needs to be more students
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being engaged in education and wanting to go to college to create a better future. Overall the

college annual acceptance rates need to increase so that continuing generations can succeed.
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Works Cited

Steele, Henry. “Analyzing college admissions and acceptance rates over time”. 21, September

2018, https://www.businessstudent.com/topics/college-acceptance-rates-over-time/

Rogers, Abby. “High School Kids Today Really Are Working Much Harder Than Earlier

Generations.” Business Insider. 10, December 2011, https://www.businessinsider.com/high-

school-harder-earlier-generation-2011-12

Gonchar, Michael. “Should college students find a better way to admit students.” The Learning

Network, 14, May 2019, https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/should-colleges-find-a-

better-way-to-admit-students