<p>I know, I know. Way more than "one" thing I've suggested.</p>
<p>Five "years" of high school. From June of second-to-last Year through Jan 15th of the final Year is a no-classes semester. Colleges open their doors to prospective students in June and October, allowing them to visit, having smaller sessions with them, allowing them to really check out the colleges on their lists. (With the f.a. options I mentioned earlier.) That time period would be primarily for applications & interviews (see also earlier post) & visits. Time sanely to think through a list, get rational input from adults engaged in the process (not just prestige-crazed "friends"), & talk things through with family. Think about potential majors, locations, financing. Write campus-specific essays.</p>
<p>Also solves the problem of students who do not turn 18 (now) until sometime after matriculation to college, making problematic the opening of bank accounts, etc.</p>
<p>In this year of record U.S. graduates, the american schools should accomodate our top students first. One of the schools my D was waitlisted at accepted 8% internationals! I think that you can still keep diversity within the students from the states rather than from the international pool! Maybe 3 to 5% international would be more acceptable.</p>
<p>I agree with smugg707</p>
<p>
[quote]
many people have a hard time balancing academics and ECs. it doesn't make a student any less "well rounded" to be involved in fewer ECs, it just shows that the student puts a lot more time into school work.
[/quote]
...but then how would colleges know how much a student needs to put into school work? ECs are a also a way for colleges to know how well students can balance their time, and students that take too much time doing school work might mean that they are less intelligent or something.</p>
<p>I say no application fees and same essays so I can work on one essay and make it really good to send to all colleges..</p>
<p>Get rid of affirmative action. The color of skin shouldn't be the determining factor in decisions.</p>
<p>^But affirmative action isn't only about color of skin. One thing that it potentially does that I actually approve of is bring a diversity of beliefs, religions, etc (read: cultures) to a school. Students learn a lot from their peers, and another value system and culture are wonderful things to learn.</p>
<p>More GPA and less SAT :P</p>
<p>Affirmative action does not necessarily do that. How can colleges really differentiate between students of the same race in that regard? The applications don't even ask for religion. I would have no problem if affirmative action only targeted students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, but the fact of the matter is that Black and Latino applicants, among other races, gain huge advantages in admission to top colleges regardless of their economic situations. A college would be more likely to admit a rich minority, who is obviously not disadvantaged, over a poor white student, who has probably lived a more difficult life. I'm not a committed supporter of Barack Obama, but the one thing that I really like about him is that he, a man of color, acknowledges this point.</p>