Students at a UPrep college fair.

Photo by Abby Choice

Highly Selective Vs. Highly Acceptive: Apply Across the Spectrum

In 2002, the eight Ivy League members plus MIT, Duke, the University of Chicago, and Stanford received about 175,000 applications. In 2023, they received more than 600,000 applications, with an almost equal number of spots in their class as in 2002. Yes, the application volume has increased at about 100 of the 3,000 four-year colleges in the U.S. A traffic jam of applicants is seeking admission at a small number of “highly selective” colleges, a term rebranded as “highly rejective.”

At most colleges, however, the acceptance rate hovers at 70 percent.

At UPrep, three college counselors support students during the college application process.

Photo courtesy of UPrep

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

Colleges promote different application plans. With the Early Action (EA) plan, a student applies by a designated date and receives a decision one month later. The EA student, if admitted, is not bound to enroll and can apply to other colleges via other application plans. A student who applies to one college through Early Decision (ED) in November receives a decision a month later. If the ED student is admitted, they must attend this college. The Regular Decision (RD) process typically entails a January application deadline, with a decision rendered in late March. There are also other types of application plans based on an institution’s geography. Many colleges admit a greater percentage of their EA and ED applicants than their RD applicants.

UPrep College Counselors demystify the college application process for students.

Photo by Abby Choice

Standardized Testing: To Submit or Not—That Is the Question

Most colleges are test optional, but there are exceptions. The University of California system, Reed College, and Washington State are test blind and will not accept standardized test scores. A small number of East Coast schools, including Dartmouth, Brown, the University of Florida, and Georgia Tech, require test scores.

Students often submit their test scores to colleges where their scores are at or above the mean and withhold their scores from colleges where their scores are below the mean. The UPrep College Counseling Office helps students discern which colleges they should send their scores to and which colleges they should apply to without including their test scores.

Click here to receive a copy of UPrep’s College Counseling Handbook.

The post An Insider’s Guide on Getting into College appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Students have easy access to mental health support. Each grade is paired with a counselor who supports them throughout their UPrep years, fostering lasting relationships. “Navigating social scenarios and stress during adolescence can be difficult,” says UPrep Counselor Andrea Moore. “Our goal is to provide guidance and promote growth by increasing coping skills.”

Three full-time counselors proactively cultivate a safe, caring learning environment. They offer confidential counseling, consult with faculty and administration on student support strategies, and assist students and families in navigating developmental and emotional challenges. Additionally, they provide educational programs on social and emotional issues, suicide prevention, and substance abuse prevention.

The Advisory Program fosters mentorship. In middle school, students belong to small advisories led by an adult adviser that meet at least weekly. In high school, students transition to new advisories with dedicated advisers who serve as mentors for academic and personal growth. Advisers are also the primary communication link between school and home.

“My advisory fostered a sense of community,” says alum Cameron Swope. “My adviser was very good at listening, and I always left feeling calmer.”

To strengthen family support, UPrep’s Parent Guardian Association collaborates with counselors to organize the Parent Guardian Education Series, which features experts who address adolescent development. Recent speakers include Dr. Nicole McNichols, who teaches the University of Washington’s most popular class, Diversity of Human Sexuality, and Dr. Lisa Damour, the author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.

High schoolers can join the Mental Health Advisory Board, a student club advised by the counselors that facilitates peer support. For example, members lead yearly suicide prevention presentations. Recently, the club led a program on transitioning to college and accessing campus mental health services.

Nava R., a 12th-grade student and board executive, has learned about the positive impact of small actions. “We made snack packs with uplifting notes for finals week,” she says, noting that being part of the club has boosted her confidence in helping others.

Counselor Cindy Taketa appreciates that UPrep teaches students about comprehensive wellness. “Students pick up healthy coping skills,” she says. “They are savvy and informed about mental health issues and social and emotional well-being.”

The post UPrep Prioritizes Student Wellness appeared first on Seattle magazine.