COLLEGE JUST AHEAD

Students, admissions counselors debate the importance of extracurriculars

KIERSTEN RIEDFORD STORY NISHITA PRASAD SUBMITTED PHOTOS

When 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

Scan this to read a column about colleges and the use of standardized tests for some college admissions

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

GOING TEST OPTIONAL

Take a look at popular colleges among CHS students and their new application requirements

SOWMYA CHUNDI GRAPHIC NAVIANCE, NICHE, FAIRTEST SOURCES

Ball State

Acceptance Rate: 62% Location: Muncie, IN Popular Major: Media

IUPUI

Acceptance Rate: 80% Location: Indianapolis, IN Popular Major: Business

P U R D U E U N I

Purdue

Acceptance Rate: 57% Location: West Lafayette, IN Popular Major: Engineering

KEY

Permanently Test Optional for all applicants

Butler

Acceptance Rate: 65% Location: Indianapolis, IN Popular Major: Marketing

Harvard

Acceptance Rate: 5% Location: Cambridge, MA Popular Major: Economics

IU Bloomington

P U R D U E U N I Acceptance Rate: 76% Location: Bloomington, IN Popular Major: Business

P U R P U R D U E D U U E N I U N I

P U R D U E U MIT N I Acceptance Rate: P U R D U E U N I 7% Location: Cambridge, MA P U R D U E Popular Major: U N I Comp Sci

Stanford

Acceptance Rate: 5% Location: Stanford, CA Popular Major: Biology P U R D U E U N I

UChicago

Acceptance Rate: 9% Location: Chicago, IL Popular Major: Economics Temporarily Test Optional for 2020-21 year only

Students can self report any scores to the college

Students are not required to submit subject test scores

schools across the country, like IU Bloomington and Drake University, have been following in the footsteps of University of California, which announced in May 2020 that the class of 2021 will not be required to submit test scores, therefore making them optional.

This decision has been one that many schools have been hesitant to make, mainly because of the belief that test scores allow schools to see more of a student’s academic background. But with COVID-19 making attending test dates and paying for standardized tests more difficult for many students, several colleges nationwide have taken the step to making test scores optional for their applicants. University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Columbia University and Cornell University are four of the Ivy League schools for which, according to Forbes, “the adoption of a test-optional policy is unprecedented in recent history.”

Because of COVID-19’s effect on testing, many students at CHS in the class of 2021 have not taken the ACT or SAT. One of these students is senior Jacob Fisher.

“I think (keeping the requirement of test scores) is up to the university because they have their own admission standards, but I also fully support waiving it because many kids don’t expect their only

CANVAS RESOURCES:

Senior Nishita Prasad navigates the College Application page on Canvas. Prasad said the Canvas page helped her streamline her application process. shot at it to be the best they can do. I also don’t feel the SAT/ACT really tests you on intelligence or work ethic, and is rather just indicative of how well you can take the given test,” Fisher said. “I see (keeping the requirement of test scores) as a negative, because I may apply to some selective schools who may not waive the requirement, (and) I only get one chance to take it in the fall before college applications.”

Prasad said she agreed with Fisher, “I think schools should go test-optional like most are currently doing, but test scores should still be accounted for because they still are valuable for students who already took the tests. However, applications should not be thrown out just because they don’t have scores.”

There are some schools that require test scores, but not necessarily to single a student out and make them more or less valuable. According to Kenneth Christmon, Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Admissions, at Purdue Fort Wayne, test scores are used to give students more potential scholarship money. “While we require the test scores, we

admit based (on) GPA scores, not test scores,” Christmon said.

In the end, the application process is mainly changing in regards to the test-optional policy for many schools, but the benefits from letters of recommendation, activity lists and personal statements will remain the same in the eyes of admissions counselors.

“I just want to say to (the class of 2021), don’t let COVID-19 be an excuse to stop being competitive,” Christmon added. (Purdue Fort Wayne) is here to help you and to get you from where you are to where you need to go. There may be some differences in numbers, but this class has to be determined to overcome challenges. Put your best foot forward, take the test, know where you apply, and continue to put your best foot forward.” H

COLLEGE PROCESS: Senior Nishita Prasad writes down her to do list in a notebook to stay oranized and to make sure she gets all the points on her list done and to not stress out with all her school work and extracurriculars.

HUMANS OF CHS

Points of views of students, teachers on upcoming school year

EMILY SANDY Q&A

IncludeVid quam seriasi miniti FRESHMAN COLIN SANTANGELO nossi dolore volupta spellecte I’m super excited not only for the new latem vid quam, quis ipsam building, but for all of the electives imintium qui ut vene et ut ditias that Carmel has to offer. I’m going to consers perchil igendeliqui que necus molorem cor auda volupit iorempe rcitia voluptatio. Icate pedi prevent sharing water bottles, food items and other things that can spread something like COVID-19. I hope that the school has taken soluptis evelect iaectotatur? Itin the time to consider everyone’s needs non cum enimpor ioribero et facia and not just the mass sumque in res non poribus majority of people. COLIN SANTANGELO SUBMITTED PHOTO

SENIOR MACKENZIE MISTERKA

Aside from the way we approach actual assignments being different, I think the social climate could be tense for a while. Everyone seems to be at a different comfort level with COVID-19, and I can see that potentiallythrowing off the general energy of the student body as we get back together. MACKENZIE MISTERKA SUBMITTED PHOTO

JUNIOR CHRIS CARMICHAEL

This year presents many new opportunities for us to be creative about the ways we socially engage with each other. Social times in schools with look different from lunch to passing periods. We will need to adjust accordingly and rely more on technology to obtain the human connection we desperately crave.

CHRIS CARMICHAEL SUBMITTED PHOTO

SPIRIT YEAR

Take a look at a timeline of Carmel’s biggest events during the 2020-2021 school year*

AUG. 4-7, 10, 2020 Registration for 2020-21 school year AUG. 14, 2020 First Carmel football game of 2020 Kickoff to the school’s football team’s season OCT. 28, 2020 PSAT Day School-wide time to take PSAT with Green Day schedule

AUG. 3, First women’s golf event 2020 of 2020 Kickoff to school sports of the 2020-2021 school year AUG. 13, 2020 First day of school of 2020- 2021 school year OCT. 2-3, 2020 Homecoming football game and dance Green Day schedule and Homecoming festivities

TBD Carmel Choirs’ Holiday Spectacular performances

CHEMISTRY TEACHER NATALIE BELLOTTI

The biggest change for me due to COVID-19 is changing my daily interactions with people.I am very outgoing person. Holding back physical interactions has been something I have to think about. I’ll wear my glasses instead of contacts to decrease exposure, I plan to change my shoes in the parking lot before driving home from school each day. NATALIE BELLOTTI SUBMITTED PHOTO

SENIOR KATHRYN LARKIN

I learned (during quarantine) that we can’t take things for granted. I am most excited for football games that will hopefully happen and getting to see classmates and teachers again. I will become much more aware because of COVID-19. I was already a bit of a germ freak so now I’m going to be extra cautious at school. I’ll wash my hands often, always have hand sanitizer and hopefully have Clorox wipes with me. KATHRYN LARKIN SUBMITTED PHOTO

DEC. 1, 2020 First swim meet of the year CHS CALENDAR SOURCE SOWMYA CHUNDI GRAPHIC

TBD Dance Marathon, Mr. Carmel and more Riley events MAY 21-26, Second semester 2021 finals week Full week of allotted timed finals MAY 27, 2021 Graduation for Class of 2021

DEC. 15-18, 2020 First semester finals week Full week of allotted timed finals MAY 1, 2021 Prom Juniors and seniors dance the night away at their themed spring dance MAY 26, 2021 Last day of school of 2020-2021 school year