College: The New Mainstream

Many of you have heard about the recent college scandal and the issues of bribery within the college process. The college process is one that has been a problem for kids in our generation and there are many reasons driving, the main reason being: over applying. Back when my parents went to high school, college was not an expectation, it was not the mainstream or part of “the process”. One simply went to college because they were passionate about learning and wanted more options in the workforce after they get their bachelor’s degree. Kids would apply to two or three schools and it was no big deal. Now, however, the average high schooler is suggested to apply to around 15 schools. This makes the admissions process harder, and makes the whole process all that more stressful. Acceptance rates are plummeting and school’s reputations are driving hundreds of thousands of new applicants every year. College is not required, nor is it essential, yet the number of kids applying and going to college is still at a steady increase.