College Admission Help

“Put it in writing” is good advice for high school freshmen seeking College Admission

By Megan Gordon
The Arizona Republic


By requiring high-school freshmen to put their plans for the future in writing, state officials anticipate a boost in student achievement.
When students have dreams and goals, they will work harder to attain them, said Maxine Daly, Arizona Department of Education's deputy associate superintendent.
Starting in the fall semester, each high-school freshman must develop his or her own program. The plan, required for graduation, includes academic, career, postsecondary and extracurricular goals for every student. Arizona's Education and Career Action Plan, or ECAP, is designed to equip freshmen with a four-year, personalized plan.
"All students should really have the same opportunity to look to themselves for their interests, their skills, their abilities and to put together kind of the road map of how they could achieve their dreams," Daly said.
How planning is done
Some schools have planning already in place.
Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, about four years ago, implemented its college and career prep course, which was recently honored as an A-plus Exemplary Program by the Arizona Educational Foundation.
"What we're looking for is something that works for kids," said Bobbie O'Boyle, the foundation's executive director. "That program has a profound effect on the students that it serves. It's sustainable and . . . it's replicable."
Daly said the ultimate goal is to get students thinking about the future, and many students agree.
"This class gives me a head start on letting us know about college," said Marci Flaherty, 17, a junior at Estrella. "It's preparing me throughout high school."
Students at the Goodyear school receive two semesters of college and career prep courses, mandatory for all incoming freshmen and second-semester juniors.
The classes provide information about high-school courses, study and note-taking skills, college and career research and resume writing.
"It gives me a goal and a plan," said Jessica Walker, 16. "My goal is not just getting good grades. The class helped me realize a reason for getting good grades."


“Put it in writing” is good advice for high school freshmen seeking College Admission