Evening star., 1962-02-16
What High School Students
Should Know About College
By DANIEL POOLE
EDITOR Of TEEN

This is the time of the year when high school seniors
get that feeling of standing the outside looking in
especially when it comes to college
For many, the Dig question is: Will get accepted?
lts an important question because approximately
|zoo seniors now are sending their applications to the
six major universities in the Washington area
Only about half that number-around 114O0-wil
receive letters of acceptance
Many OF the Others of course, will 60 to college
where else probably to their second third choice schools
And of the approximately 400 seniors who accepted
only about 7,750 will actually register.
The figures point up fact There problems
But most of the problems be sovedmainy through
careful planning
The directors of admissions at colleges and universities
talk with thousands of een-agers who to their Of
fces each They encounter variety situations
some unusual most of them common to many students
Such officials at six universities - American
Catholic, George Washington, Georgetown Howard and
Marylandcan offer advice to high school students
what steps they should to get into college,
Here are some of their tips:
Make good grades. Your high-school record
can determine whether you are admitted to
the college you prefer.
"A good high school record is the best indicator of
probable success in college, says Agire director of
admissions and registrations at the University of Mary
land "A good high school student usually does we'll in
college, and poor high school student usually poorly
in college. It's as simple as that"
The Rev Joseph M Moffitt ST. director of admissions
for undergraduate schools at Georgetown University says
"A student can't drift along in high school then squirt
in his senior and expect that to be good 1t the total
picture that makes the difference And although the high
school record important the College Boards
means more nationally This should be taken in the
junior year of high school,"
He adds Exra-curricular activities including sports
are not important unless they accompanied by good
academic record In fact of the best
activities for high school students to work and raise
money"
md MiSs Cat herino 3iob Nj
missions at Catholic University says, Admissions officers
are interested in students with capacity to work If
student has good his College Boards but
bad grades in high school, then he lazy and probably
won't do well in college The record should show improve
ment each year The achiever has better chance than
the lazy student"
2-Develop good study habits and learn to work
by yourself.
Its extremely important for student to do good
work from the first day college campus The first year
is the most difficult and he must buckle down. says Tim
othy E. Smith, education counselor at George Washington
University Often it's the bright who breezed through
school with good grades and didn't have to study who
funks out. He didn't have to study in high school he
didn't learn how. But the boy who had to work for his
grades and learned how to study often does better in
college"
Father Moftt says "a student must learn to work by
himself without daily requirement the teacher College
freshmen sometimes fail to realize this and fall behind
their work. And Mr. Agre adds Success in college usual
ly results from pattern of good study habits acquired
through doing. You don't get it overnight"
3-Commit yourself to particular goal in life and
specific field of study even if YOU change it
later.
students are too afraid they'll make mistake" saws
Father Moffitt They should be willing to start something
ana then be willing to change But they can't mark time
in neutral course. They must commit themselves at
least to the extent of eliminating things they to
do That probably their first major adult decision
Miss Rich says "A student should set his obecves early
and then prepare early as possible toward them"
John Wakefield, director of admissions at American
University, adds however, "The fact that freshman
doesn't know what his major will be should not upset him
fore they finish college The freshman year fairly
standard anyway and they should get much they
can out OF this foundation sampng various areas OF study
That helps them decide And they get year older their
likes and interests clearly snto focus"
-Make full use of high school counseng facil-
tiles to assess your abilities and aptitudes.
I'VE urge that students take full advantage of their
high school counseng service" says Dr. Winston K Nc
Allister director of admissions at Howard University
They should plan their programs carefully with the
requirements"
Mr. Algre says "The best friend and of infor-
nation for high school student is the counselor This
growing We know the high school counselors
and principals and rely greatly their recommendations
And Miss Rich adds "I think every high school student
should his ability with the help of the school
counselor This guidance is so important"
5-Take great care in selecting your college Go
to one that offers what you need not where
your friends 60.
the big problems is that students often 90 to