LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

For this Question and Answer session I interviewed the Upper Arlington High School college counselor Dr. Kathy Moore. Dr. Moore has worked as the college counselor at the high school for multiple years and has helped numerous classes of seniors achieve a successful college career.

 

Q:How do you think Upper Arlington’s offered classes help students get into their desired colleges?

A: Students at UA are very fortunate that the high school offers so many AP and IB courses. AP and IB courses help for success because they are college prep classes which can then help with transferring success on a college campus. AP and IB courses helps with application process because they are most closely tied with college classes courses. Taking those courses can also help students decide on what classes they would like to take in college.

 

Q:How does that rate that UA students are accepted into college compare with other districts around the state?

A: UA is very competitive when it comes to academics, although I don’t know this for sure  I feel that UA students are similar to the New Albany's and Dublins of Ohio. Upper Arlington sent 96% of our seniors last year to college.

 

Q:How do you feel about the AP classes that the high school offers?

A: There great, APP isn’t for everyone however.  Students shouldn’t be drowning in work or too overwhelmed by a class.  Students should take advantage of the AP and IB courses offered at the high school by taking classes that challenge them in the areas that they are strongest in.  For example if you’re not the best at math I definitely do not recommend taking an AP math class, on the other hand though if you’re great at english you should challenge yourself with an AP english class.

 

Q: 60% of high school students take AP courses, why do you think that is?

A: I think the majority of students take AP and/or IB courses because they are college prep classes which can help them get a feel for what college will actually be like.  Also a lot of colleges have said that they look for those AP, IB and honors courses when looking for potential students and most students will do anything to get in to their desired college or any college at all.

 

Q: What do you think about students who take multiple AP courses compared to students how take a few AP courses compared to students who take no AP courses?

A:  AP courses are great but I don’t feel that they are for everyone, besides that colleges aren’t going to put not taking AP classes against you if you have strong academics and are involved in other things.

 

Q: A lot of students take AP courses but don’t always pass the AP exam, what are your thoughts on that?

A: The course still gives them a feel of college even though they don’t get but they won't get the credit for that class.  Also, not all schools look directly at the AP test some schools will give the student “credit” for even taking the class.  However, ,hopefully they do receive the credit for whatever school they do decide to go to.

Q: Do you think that UA students have the essential qualities that it takes to succeed at the college level?

A: Absolutely! UA has an incredible student body, all the students here are really fortunate to have all of the courses that they do available.  Students not only in this high school but in the district at large work very hard academically to achieve their goals

 

Q: What do you think the most important activities to participate in to help get into college?

A: Any and all leadership roles are key to getting colleges to look at you.  Whether that leadership role by being the captain of a sports team, leader of a club or organization, or anything that the student is very passionate about.  Colleges used to look for the amount of activities that an applicant was involved in however, now they look for quality over quantity when it comes to activities.  If students are going to be involved in few activities they need to be seriously involved.

 

Q: How do you think Upper Arlington students compare to other school students as of college readiness?

A: UA students have all the opportunities that they could ever need to be able to become successful college students.  I’m not exactly sure how UA compares to other Ohio schools but last  year UA sent 96% of the senior class to colleges around the nation.

 

 

 

Works Cited

"America's Best High Schools." News Week. News Week. Web.

“Is Advanced Placement For Everyone” Stanford University. Stanford University, 2012. Web. 2013.

Grove, Allen. "High School Course Requirements for College Admissions."College Admissions. About.com. Web.

"What Grades Do Colleges Look At?" College Confidential. College Confidential. Web.

Alleyne, Stacey. "The Effects High School Grades Have on College Success."Global Post. Global Post. Web. 2014.