Cuts make it even harder to get into college

As the time for college searches draws nearer and nearer for some, the toll that the California state budget cuts are taking on the education system, and more specifically college acceptance and admissions, is at an all-time high. These cuts are all-encompassing, affecting seemingly every aspect of the modern student's academic career.

"I think it is unfair how our generation of students are having a harder time to get into colleges, even though earlier years' applicants had lower GPA and less compared to current students getting denied admission," said Stephen Chan, a junior at Beyer High School.

For those applying to colleges, the application process is truly an ordeal: oceans of paperwork and research, pits of scholarship opportunities, not to mention the persistent fact that all the efforts put forth might be in vain. This is even more so now, as competition among applicants is rising because of the increase of cuts at California colleges. The acceptance rate fluctuation can even be recognized in these past two years.

"For 2009, UC Santa Barbara made offers of admissions to 48 percent of its freshman applicants," said Cuca Acosta, assistant director of high school services for UCSB. "In 2010, we were forced to be conservative with our admissions -- only 42 percent of freshman applicants were given admission. We expect 2011 to also be a conservative year for admissions."

Now more than ever, students must devote themselves to well-roundedness, rigor of academia, and pursuit of opportunities for self-improvement. Although in one aspect, the cuts on our state's college programs seem like the heaviest of burdens, increased competition among applicants likely will produce a more devoted student population. But the cost at which this is done does not outweigh the negative effects.

The increased competitiveness is concrete, but what can the students actually do to set themselves apart from fellow applicants? Teresa Pitts, college counselor at Beyer High School said, "Students should focus on making a difference in their schools and communities, striving to leave them better for having been there. It is also very important to learn to write and communicate well. Test scores and transcripts do not tell personal stories, only a student's own voice."

Times are rough, but this should not detract from your goals for post-high-school education, but inspire you to rise above the competition in an effort to succeed. Trends are transitional, and what the colleges are experiencing right now is just that: a trend.

"There are incredible scholarships and wonderful educational experiences that can be found for the student who is prepared and open to explore," Pitts said. "Students should never overlook what might be the best options right in front of them."

Kevin Davidson is a junior at Beyer High School and a member of The Bee's Teens in the Newsroom journalism program.