In 1970, approximately 8 million students were enrolled in college in the United States. Today, that number has grown to over 19 million.
As college enrollment has increased, the admissions process has become significantly more competitive.
According to Jerome Karabel’s book, “The Chosen: The Hidden History of Admission and Exclusion at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton”, the acceptance rate at Harvard University was around 80–90% in the early 1900s, but has dropped to about 3% in recent years.
As a result, earning a place at prestigious institutions has become far more difficult. In this environment, maintaining a high GPA no longer seems optional but a “basic requirement” for students who hope to get into a good school.
However, even this “basic requirement” can be hard to meet. Some students struggle just to pass their classes due to the increase in the difficulty of the classes, as well as college-level programs like Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment courses being added to the curriculum.
In addition, weighted grading systems, which calculated those college-level courses on a 5.0 scale, brought “high GPA” to another level. Now, students do not only have to get a 90-100 to get a GPA, but also have to be enrolled in college-level courses to be competitive among their peers.
Are students still in high school, or already in college?
As taking college-level courses becomes the norm, many students begin to underestimate their difficulty, assuming that “if everyone is taking them, they must not be that hard.”
Yet, this mindset can be misleading. In reality, these courses are still college-level with heavy workloads, complicated concepts and fast paces, which can often lead to lower grades and increased pressure to meet expectations.
Oftentimes, those who adopt this mindset are students themselves. As a sophomore, I have felt unworthy and anxious when getting grades below my expectations. Those feelings are almost inevitable, and we shouldn’t let those feelings redefine who we are or destroy our confidence.
Instead, we must recognize that we are challenging ourselves by taking these courses that exceed our current level and view them as opportunities for growth. By reflecting on our mistakes and seeking help from teachers, we can deepen our understanding of that topic and aim to improve next time.
The reason why students are so stressed about their grades is that it is often misunderstood as if it is the one and only way to get into a good college.
The Harvard University admissions website states, “There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership, distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character.”
Clearly, even some of the most competitive colleges emphasize that admissions are not solely based on academic performance, but on “who you are” as a person. While many students believe that a perfect GPA is the only path to success, admissions officers often seek qualities such as leadership, kindness and personal character.
As a result, focusing exclusively on grades may cause students to miss opportunities to develop these qualities. Instead of dedicating all your time to academics, never hesitate to engage in meaningful activities, such as volunteering, sports, or leadership roles, which would better reflect your individuality and growth instead of a 4.0 transcript.
