Emptying the Nest: The Grueling Experience of College Admissions
The Power of the UC System
My children exist in part because of the University of California system. It was Gov. Pat Brown’s Master Plan for Higher Education, designed to guarantee every high school graduate in the state the opportunity to attend college, that helped my father-in-law convince his wife that they should move from her small hometown in Indiana to the planned community of Lakewood.
The Evolution of College Admissions
Long gone are the days of my youth, when, after a reasonable assessment of one’s budget and ability as a student, you could apply to a handful of schools in and out of state — including the obligatory "reach" and "safety" — and expect to be accepted at several. Now, the college admissions process has become increasingly ghastly. As millions of parents and students know, the process requires spreadsheets of tuition and potential aid, acceptance rates (in general and for your student’s preferred area of study) and housing availability and costs.
The Reality of Rejection
According to U.S. News & World Report, in the past 20 years, national university tuition and fees in general have jumped, without adjusting for inflation, more than 100% — in-state tuition and fees at public universities by about 133%. And forget a handful of college applications. Now, most counselors advise students to apply to at least 10, with several safeties. As for those "reach" colleges, well, even for California graduates, that now includes most of the UCs.
The Cacophony of Anguish
Reddit is a cacophony of anguish when it comes to questions about how, even if, one can get into most UCs. The most experienced high-school guidance and private college counselors advise high-achieving California students not to count on getting into the UCs of their choice, unless that choice includes Riverside (76%) or Merced (91%). Both of which are fine schools, if they have strong programs in your child’s area of interest.
The Agony of Application
My youngest child initially vowed to bypass the whole painful experience. But then she realized that most of the best schools for her choice of major were UCs. So she applied to five of them, as well as two California State schools, one of which accepts only 34% of applicants. The amount of time she has spent assembling her pitch to each of them — writing essays, assembling portfolios and procuring recommendation letters — has become, essentially, a part-time job.
Conclusion
The UCs were originally intended to be centers of research that offered advanced education to the top 12.5% of the state’s graduating seniors; the CSUs were to offer broader learning to the top 33.3%. But for families who have invested their tax dollars into the state, sending a child who meets the historical standards of a UC to the campus that best meets their educational priorities should not require the kind of multiyear planning and hand-wringing worry of getting into MIT or vaulting into the Ivy League.
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of college admissions in California?
A: The college admissions process has become increasingly ghastly, with long gone the days of applying to a handful of schools and expecting to be accepted at several.
Q: What are the challenges of getting into UCs?
A: With acceptance rates as low as 9% for UCLA, students must apply to at least 10 schools, with several safeties, and even then, it’s no guarantee of admission.
Q: What are some alternative options for students who are not accepted into UCs?
A: Students can consider applying to out-of-state and private universities, as well as California State universities, which may offer more opportunities for admission.
Q: What can be done to improve the UC system?
A: The UCs should focus on increasing admissions, developing more three-year programs, and expanding off-campus semesters. The state should also reconsider its Master Plan, giving more emphasis to the CSU system.
