The Mix 2024: College Admissions
By the 2024 Chuck Stone Scholars
Meet the Scholars
Seven million students applied to colleges this past application season.
How can an individual stand out in the crowd? How can each student find the information they need to apply amongst internet misinformation? Sifting through the countless pieces of advice and data can be overwhelming. How do you find the right answers?
The 2024 Chuck Stone Scholars have carefully curated a college admissions package addressing questions from applicants and their families. It’s an important time for this, as students from diverse backgrounds may have concerns about recent changes after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in admissions.
There is the question of which schools to apply to. How do students discover the institutions that are the best fit for them, in regards to class size, academics and environment? How can students set themselves up for an enriching and lively college experience while remaining realistic to their financial and familial background?
Kimberly Almeida, parent of a rising high school senior in Florida, considered these questions. “I think there’s compromises that have to be made,” she says. “If it’s more study that you’re going after, then maybe you just choose the school with the best program.”
“Use this time as an opportunity to reflect on what you have accomplished and what you hope to accomplish. Your college application is a reflection of who you are. It will be meaningful and helpful to look inwards during this admissions process.”
Allee Olive, UNC Admissions Officer
What Key Factors Would You Consider When Applying For Colleges?
The Application Process
Students often think that the college application process only starts the summer of their junior year; however, it starts well before that. Allee Olive, an admissions officer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explained the importance of a strong academic profile within an admission.
“Maybe it’s fair to say the transcript is really the foundation, you need to have challenged yourself with classes and have received pretty strong grades, like that’s really the foundation of the application,” Olive said.
By taking challenging courses and getting the best grades possible in them, colleges see a student who strives to take challenges and successes within them.
Admissions Glossary: Terms to know
Click on each term for a definition.
Supplemental essays
Supplemental essays are one way to show college admissions officers who you are. Most colleges will require college-specific supplemental questions, usually 2-3 short answer essays, in addition to the common application essay. Most schools will ask why you chose their school, or in University of Chicago’s case, questions that range from subjects of color expressions to Bob Dylan lyrics.
Recommendation letters
Many colleges ask for recommendation letters. Students should ask a teacher, most likely a core subject teacher, to write at least one of these letters. Some schools request letters from teachers of different subjects, but it is ultimately up to students. Next, there are guidance counselor recommendations. These are meant to show more about who you are outside the classroom. Guidance counselor recommendations usually include a profile of your interests and, generally, whatever you’ve shared with them, so make sure you get to know your guidance counselor early on! Finally, supplemental recommendations are written by non-core subject teachers, coaches or mentors. You can ask anyone (who isn’t related to you) who you feel knows you well as a person.
Standardized test scores
Although some have gone test-optional post-COVID, most schools are bringing back submitting standardized test scores. The two tests are the ACT and the SAT. If you are applying to a test-optional school and are deciding if you want to submit scores, look at the school’s website for their average score.
Application fee/fee waiver
To apply to colleges, each one requires an application fee. Those who have demonstrated a need for financial aid to cover those application fees can reach out to their school’s administration and are often able to receive a fee waiver that will cover the cost of each application.
Common application
The Common Application is an online platform students use to apply to most colleges in and outside of the United States. The biggest exception to the common application system is the UC (University of California) schools. Signing up and completing the general information on the common application website will make applying to multiple colleges far more manageable. Using the common application helps to keep everything in one place.
Questbridge
Questbridge is a scholarship program for high school college applicants. It caters to students from low-income households and provides support with financial aid opportunities for prospective students. Questbridge is partnered with top universities, and students can attend these schools free through the Match Scholarship. It is a long process. There are many different scholarships, so visit the website to find the best fit for you.
How the Supreme Court decision affects the process
A year after the US Supreme Court decision banning the consideration of race in college admissions, applicants and their parents continue to have questions about how the decision plays out in practice.
The high school class of 2024 is still finalizing their college decisions, and data isn’t yet available about how the first admissions cycle under the policy went.
In fact, some students are still unaware of the change. When asked about how he believed the decision would affect him, rising senior Nathan Pabst said, “That’s actually my first time hearing something like this; I’m surprised I haven’t really seen it on the news.”
Students and parents discuss impacts of admissions decision
In 2014, Students for Fair Admissions sued Harvard University and UNC-Chapel Hill, alleging their admissions policies violated the Civil Rights Act and the 14th Amendment. The case made it to the Supreme Court in 2022, and a majority of six justices ruled in favor of Students for Fair Admissions.
UNC-system DEI policies also shifting
While college admissions offices and applicants continue to adjust to the Supreme Court decision about admissions, in North Carolina it’s unclear how a new statewide policy on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts will affect campuses.
In May, the UNC Board of Governors voted unanimously to repeal a 2019 policy that required each university to have a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office. By Sept. 1, each university is required to implement a new policy on “equality within the university.”
The exact impacts of the repeal on jobs and support services are unknown, but the changed policy will not affect class instruction, student organizations or research, according to a Q&A released by UNC Communications last month.
UNC students have protested the change.
Keeping admissions-related stress in check
A stressed high school junior hunched over a desk, the only visible light coming from a computer screen, palms sweating and tears forming, is an image that comes to mind when thinking of the college admissions process.
Sitting down to make a college list feels like the beginning of a future you are not even the slightest bit ready for. So how do you deal with stress?
One way to handle it is simply to minimize your workload, explained UNC admissions officer Allee Olive.
“They’ve done a study recently where they saw that stress in the senior year was really exacerbated when students had a really long college application list,” Olive said. “Thinking more carefully early on about what really is important…keeping it manageable so that your senior year isn’t entirely dedicated to stress and applying to colleges.”
Paying for college
Finances are a huge part of the college process. Learning how to pay for your tuition through various types of aid – and understanding the price-for-value and return on investment of different colleges – is essential to avoiding stress and too much student debt.
Former UNC student Abigail Clavijo feels that being twin made it wiser for her to enroll in an affordable institution in-state so that her family would be able to fund two kids’ tuitions in one year.
“You have more scholarship options than you think,” Clavijo said. “Get super specific, google a ton, do your research on the college and alumni websites.”
A big list of college admissions resources
There are several questions a student may wonder about when faced with the college application process.
From the Common Application, to letters of recommendations or standardized testing scores below are linked resources to aid high schoolers.
Remember: you are not alone! Thousands of other high school seniors are going through the similar struggles you are. Never forget to reach out to peers, whether it is to brainstorm college essay ideas together or just to check in!
How do I know if a college is the right fit for me?
Collegevine uses artificial intelligence to match student interests and statistics with university information, ranging from acceptance rates to overall diversity. In addition, this resource can help you get an idea of your likelihood of acceptance into an institution after an initial information survey.
Will my AP credits transfer?
Acceptance of AP credits depends on the college. Scoring a three or higher on AP exams typically grant students credit hours for general education classes, allow them to skip intro level classes and move directly into higher level classes, or do both. More information on how AP credits work at college can be found here.
Is my major binding?
The major you put on a college application is not binding.
Should I apply early action, early decision or regular decision?
The short answer: it depends. It is easy to get confused by the various application timelines for college. The College Board can help you narrow down which option is the best fit for you.
Should I submit my test scores?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools allowed students not to submit test scores when applying. Each applicant can choose whether or not to submit their ACT/SAT scores. Scholarships360 is a great resource to help.
What should I write my college essay about?
Writing a college essay can be a daunting process. There are resources available to help you decide what essay prompt and topic will help represent your character the best.
How will admissions officers evaluate my application?
Admissions offices across the country receive thousands of applications each year from students
“Readers are trained to conduct an individual comprehensive view of each application by focusing more on character and traits that a student displays, ” said Allee Olive, UNC admissions officer. Determining which student to admit remains a comprehensive process for admissions teams. Applications will always be reviewed multiple times by several individuals, and they will consider the context of your school, community and home life, Olive said.
What are the different parts of the Common App?
The deliberate process of filling out the Common Application can be intimidating. The steps are broken down in this guide.
Where can I ask for help with my application?
- School counselor
- Contact admissions officers
- Peers
- English teacher