Introduction
The primary concern that universities have while admitting students is their ability to complete the degree programs successfully. In turn, the administrators aim to accept individuals who are academically prepared to undergo the rigors of a college education. Most of the admission requirements, such as the high school academic results, standardized testing, interview, background information in community involvement, and family, are all part of the entrance requirements for the students. However, there is no concrete evidence to ascertain whether these indicators of college entry provide an accurate forecasting achievement at the university level. A student’s high school GPA is a good marker to predict the outcome of their success at a four-year college university.
Relationship Between GPA and College Success
College Admission Process
A four-year university is the traditional college pathway for most people after completing their high school education. Notably, over the last twenty years, there has been a 150% increase in the number of individuals graduating from high school (Selingo, 2022). The selection process begins with a common application by students to secure a university of choice. The application fee costs $50 to $90 (Ross & Moody, 2021). The learners are prepared in high school through academic counseling and workshops where they are told about what to expect at the university.
GPA as a Good Determinant for Gauging Preparedness and Success
The grade point average (GPA) from high school has a vital role in gauging whether a student is ready for campus. For instance, findings indicate that most students with a high GPA attend more than 95% of classes, while those with below-average scoring less than 75% (Al Hazaa et al., 2021). The implication is that students with high GPAs are prepared for the university lectures, which take a longer time to complete (Sulphey et al., 2018). The GPA has long been used by many countries during their admission process and has proved to be an efficient and convenient way of determining success (Alyahyan & Düştegör, 2020). The use of GPA also ensures that there is standardization of the admission process and fairness, such there is transparency in the selection of the students.
Other Factors Predicting Success in Higher Education
The GPA is a good determinant, but there are other factors that should be considered in admission, including admission test score (ATC) and positive character attributes such as portfolio, recommendations, and co-curricular activities. Noteworthy, there are variances in the system and grading of high school, which makes GPA grossly unfair, especially when admitting students from different countries (Alyahyan & Düştegör, 2020). Standardized tests have now emerged as an alternative due to their predictive validity and fairness. Some universities also conduct interviews with the students or ask them to write introduction letters that show their preparedness level.
Factors to Consider and those that are Irrelevant
Other non-academic factors colleges should consider are family legacy, and community volunteerism is of interest to the college admission personnel. For instance, family commitments help understand the student’s social life and support in their college (Sulphey et al., 2018). The colleges should consider the community projects, and civic leadership in the form of volunteerism is also an essential aspect in gauging the people who are accepted to enroll in the universities. However, one of the factors that should not be considered is the socio-economic background of the student because it creates demographic discrimination.
Social Justice Issues
Ethnic issues and demographic division also play a significant role in the college admission. For instance, some universities consider reparation reforms by including a predetermined number of minority races, such as African and Latino Americans. Documentation status may be a reason for failed admission, especially in the case of illegal immigrants. In addition, universities are also trying to achieve multiculturalism and may include a considerable gender ratio in choosing students.
Conclusion
In summary, the four-year college admission is increasingly becoming competitive due to the high number of students graduating from high school. The GPA remains the most commonly used instrument in the selection process. It ensures fairness and selection of people that are prepared for the rigor of university education, such as long lectures. Other measures such as standardized tests, interviews, and community volunteering are also good predictors of success in higher education.
References
Al Hazaa, K., Abdel-Salam, A., Ismail, R., Johnson, C., Rusol Adil Naji Al-Tameemi, Romanowski, M. H., BenSaid, A., Mohamed Ben, H. R., & Elatawneh, A. (2021). The effects of attendance and high school GPA on student performance in first-year undergraduate courses. Cogent Education, 8(1). Web.
Alyahyan, E., & Düştegör, D. (2020). Predicting academic success in higher education: Literature review and best practices. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17(1). Web.
Ross, K. R. & Moody, J. (2021). A complete guide to college application.US News. Web.
Selingo, J. (2022). The college-admissions process is completely broken. The Atlantic. Web.
Sulphey, M. M., Nasser Saad Al-Kahtani, & Abdul, M. S. (2018). Relationship between admission grades and academic achievement. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 5(3), 648-658. Web.