NEWS

Colleges seek well-rounded students

John Benson
Gannett Ohio correspondent

Here's a simple message that applies to both bookworms and jocks: The road to higher education is as varied as it is exciting; however, it's becoming abundantly clear to students (and parents) that the one-trick pony approach to getting into college is not only antiquated but could be problematic for teens not fully experiencing their high school years.

Brandi Cooper, a counselor at Licking County's Granville High School, said she's prepping college-bound students to challenge themselves while maintaining a competitive grade-point average.

"Every student is different and excels in a variety of ways, but students should try to take pre-Advanced Placement (AP), honors and/or AP classes when they are projected to earn at least an A or a B," Cooper said. "In addition, students should be engaged in the school and community through activities, athletics and volunteering."

From the moment a freshman sets foot in a high school, that teen is essentially filling out a college application. Similar to a job-hunting experience, where the talent pool is extensive and deep, getting into selective colleges requires candidates to go above and beyond the average.

Desired qualities range from demonstrated leadership to unique skills. The sky is seemingly the limit when it comes to how a student can stand out.

"All of these factors are important in the college application process," Cooper said. "For the most selective institutions, college admission counselors are splitting hairs between students because all applicants are 4.0 grade-point average students with the most competitive curriculum and near perfect test scores.

"Students need to try to set themselves apart from the competition, such as starting a small business, coordinating a service project or having a unique skill like playing the harp or oboe."

The key is to apply to as many colleges as possible because college admission counselors at the most selective colleges and universities are creating a diverse class of the highest-ranking students.

"Diversity is not just in race or ethnicity," Cooper said. "There is diversity in geography, family history such as first-generation college students, legacy and even diversity among skills that students bring to the table both in athletics and musical performance."

Thomas Mansperger director of admission, recruitment and gateway services at North Central State College in Richland County, said when it comes down to selection, he's looking for the well-rounded student.

"Selective institutions will literally spend a lot of time reading the application and supporting information," Mansperger said. "Obviously grades are important, but a 4.0 at one high school is not a 4.0 at another. Selective colleges know this and take it into consideration."

The best piece of advice he can provide high school students is to push themselves academically.

"I have been asked by parents if their son/daughter should take that hard or extra math their senior year because they really don't need it and they could enjoy their senior year," Mansperger said. "I always recommended taking the course — selective colleges can pick up on those things."

Invariably, the road to higher education is paved with many different bricks. However, everyone agrees that extracurricular activities — a foreign language, community service, sports, performance arts — are important, but academics act as the backbone of the college application. That includes AP and honors classes.

In addition to AP classes, there's a new alternative rolling out for the 2015-16 school year. College Credit Plus is on track to be offered at various Buckeye State high schools, upping the ante a bit when it comes to students earning college credits.

"Whereas AP is a higher level of testing for K-12 subjects and your score on your AP test determines whether or not you get college credit, with College Credit Plus you're actually taking a college course taught by either a college professor or by a teacher in the K-12 system that has been certified to teach those college-level courses," said Ohio Board of Regents Director of Communications Jeff Robinson. "So you're getting transcripted high school and college credit."

Finally, Robinson said all of the above options and recommendations fit squarely into the Ohio Board of Regents' mission, which is simply to get more degrees, certificates and credentials for Ohioans. And if in the process students can get them in less time and for less money, more the better.

This is where the conversation dovetails back to the high school road traveled by students. A measured plan toward receiving a higher education should include financial consideration.

"Hopefully they'll have little or no debt when they finish," Robinson said. "That's part of why we emphasize College Credit Plus. We say here are some college classes you can take while in high school. They're free and you can graduate with up to a year of college under your belt and so that equals cost savings.

"That's what we're trying to do," he said, "to show students of all ages how they can attain that next level of education in less time and for less money, and be strong members of a skilled workforce here in Ohio and hopefully want to stay here and work."