Relating back to the idea of the “Chem 20 Factor” in Ellen Goodman’s article about an infamous course in college, I’d have to say the high school version of this course would be the plain fact that the decisions a student makes directly interprets their success in applying for college.
Whether it’s deciding what class to enroll in (an AP class or regular class), the decision to study extra hard and do well in that class, or the decision to be respectful to teachers that can possibly write a fantastic letter of recommendation, the task of student decision-making can make or break their chances of admission into the college of their choice.
On the issue of a “screening process” for students, we can claim that these decisions are this aforementioned filter, and you’d be correct in claiming that this argument is quite, well, meta. I am basically chasing my tail on this one, but the truth is, this paradoxicality (that is sort of a made up word) is quite legitimate. While everyone in the AP blogging network is undoubtedly stating the obvious, I’d like to attempt to state a more, shall we say, off the wall perspective, because Mrs. Moe, I selflessly want to save you from that monotony.
The “Just Good Enough” Factor
Pretend you don’t know anything about college admission.
Let’s just say this little “mad-libs” is how you get into college.
You get _______ grades,
do _______ on your SATs,
volunteer for a _______ cause,
show _______ behavior in class,
exercise ________ character,
write a ________ personal statement,
& do ________ in all your extracurricular activities.
Word Bank: Great Good Mediocre
Now let’s just say you can directly relate the outcome with a school on these “levels.”
Mostly or all “Great”s: Stanford, Harvard, Yale etc.
Mostly or all “Good”s: UC Davis, UCLA, UC Berkeley etc.
Mostly or all “Mediocre”s: Humboldt State, Solano Community College etc.
(Less than “Mediocre”? Oh please, you’re not going to college! But that was a good try!)
So basically what I’m trying to illustrate is the typical understanding of the HUMAN POPUATION that has not personally endeavored the college application process.
In reality, the deciding factor is the people on the admissions board. Yes, you must achieve what is necessary to go to that specified college! That in itself acts as a filter, but typically the applicants are already aware of that. In addition to high grades, a moving personal statement, and some proof that you care about the well-being of others of the same species, there is an unspoken factor of money and status (these go hand in hand like death and taxes). No one likes to admit it because it is not fair in the least, but that’s just the way it is. Nevertheless, the only thing a student can really do is try.
Extremely hard.
The Separation Factor
But then we move into what I call “The Separation Factor”. We separate the driven students from the naturally intelligent students (I’m not claiming these are mutually exclusive), and if you’ve got both, props for you! You are one exceptional human being! Personally, I would say I have possibly the most miniscule amounts of both attributes in students at the AP level, but in admitting this, I DO have something that many others do not have, a little thing I’d like to call “modesty.” The idea that you must have a little bit of BOTH attributes to succeed has everything to do with your upbringing/genetics, which in many cases, is extremely unfortunate. And the deciding factor for who gets in and who doesn’t all comes down to the decisions you, as a student, make in high school.
The High School Factor
Now, as I am at a loss for further explanation, I will begin forcing a less pressing sub-topic out into the open. The prompt is asking what aspect in high school acts as the Chem 20 course, and to be honest, that “course” is high school.
In popular media, we understand how high school can bring out the absolute worst in everyone; we’ve got catty cliques, bullies, etc. But this is completely the social aspect. The educational aspect of high school is, well difficult to say the least. I don’t think any student is not challenged in at least a few of his/her classes. Not everyone fully understands why the curriculum must be this way, or why there is homework. In a vague sense, high school truly tests our will-power and stamina and mediates the awkward transition from child to adult. So when you ask about what makes students succeed or fail in their educational endeavors, it is the student succeeding or failing. School is tough, let me get that straight, but no blame should ever be placed on school for a student failing. Responsibility should always remain with the student, considering there is no alternative to school (besides dropping out, I guess).
The Conclusion Factor
So in this thousand-word-essay, I explained my viewpoints on one of the most obvious topics. I did, hopefully, explain it in a weirder way than most of your students, because blogs are almost always 1 point. ONE POINT!!! But I assure you that I put in just as much effort (if not more) in composing this blog, post, entry….thing.
Well, toodles for now.
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