FEATURE
AUG 13, 2020
COLLEGE JUST AHEAD Students, admissions counselors debate the importance of extracurriculars KIERSTEN RIEDFORD STORY
NISHITA PRASAD SUBMITTED PHOTOS
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hen it comes to applying to college, there are several important aspects, the main ones being GPAs, standardized test scores, activities lists, letters of recommendation and personal statements. While GPAs are important to students, having an activities list or test scores can boost one’s application. Senior Nishita Prasad said she believes that for her, test scores and GPAs are a given, but her activities list is where she sees herself shine. “I think extracurriculars are an important part of admissions to separate people who already have good grades and scores, but I don’t think I joined extracurriculars specifically because I felt pressured,” Prasad said. “Instead, I compare my resume to other accomplished applicants (to improve my chances) for success.”
Since her freshman year, Prasad has participated in six clubs, including DECA and Mock Trial, and danced with the Natyalaya School of Arts specifically for Indian dance. “I have competed in DECA since freshman year, and I joined it to get more involved in Carmel while also getting an insight into the business field, which I was interested in,” Prasad said. “I joined mock trial this year because I wanted to add more extracurriculars/competitions to my repertoire because I didn’t think I was fully using my time outside of school, and I thought mock trial was a good way to work on public speaking skills.” Stephanie Stephenson is the Senior Associate Director of Recruitment for Indiana University (IU) Bloomington. “As we review a student’s application for admission to IU Bloom-
ington, our focus is on a number of factors that emphasize academic performance and preparation,” she said. “Through this review we will focus on the level and rigor of a student’s coursework, individual grades and cumulative GPA earned through these courses, and SAT and/or ACT scores, if a student chooses to have their test scores considered (admission to IU is now test-optional), along with additional insights offered through your application essay. These factors are not weighted differently, but reviewed individually and considered holistically in the admissions process.” While the activities list is an important aspect of one’s college applications, test scores hold a significant place in the application process to most schools, especially Ivy Leagues. Recently, many
Scan this to read a column about colleges and the use of standardized tests for some college admissions
GOING TEST OPTIONAL
SOWMYA CHUNDI GRAPHIC NAVIANCE, NICHE, FAIRTEST SOURCES
Take a look at popular colleges among CHS students and their new application requirements
IUPUI
Ball State Acceptance Rate: 62% Location: Muncie, IN Popular Major: Media
IU Bloomington
Butler Acceptance Rate: 65% Location: Indianapolis, IN Popular Major: Marketing
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Harvard
Acceptance Rate: 76% Location: Bloomington, IN Popular Major: Business
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E RDU P UE U N I RDU
PU
RDU
PU
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Acceptance Rate: 57% Location: West Lafayette, IN Popular Major: Engineering
Acceptance Rate: 5% Location: Stanford, CA Popular Major: Biology
MIT
E U NI
PU Acceptance Rate: 7% Location: Cambridge, MA Popular Major: Comp Sci U NI
RDU
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UChicago Acceptance Rate: 9% Location: Chicago, IL Popular Major: Economics
PU
RDU
E U NI
Permanently Test Optional for all applicants Temporarily Test Optional for 2020-21 year only
Stanford
PU
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U NI
RDU
Acceptance Rate: 5% Location: Cambridge, MA Popular Major: Economics
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Purdue
Acceptance Rate: 80% Location: Indianapolis, IN Popular Major: Business
Students can self report any scores to the college Students are not required to submit subject test scores
