APS to offer direct path to college at GMU at 3 high schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, just adding across all high schools. Not just by school.

It's GMU's program, not APS'.
I really don't get all the upset about something that merely accelerates the application process - nothing else: no different eligibility requirements to attend GMU, no scholarship offer, no financial aid - just an expedited and shorter application process. Still have to "accept" and then complete an abbreviated application form, same FAFSA, still apply for any other financial aid and scholarships, still submit supplemental application requirements for specific schools (music, art, ...).

And again, this is GMU's program - not APS' initiative. I guess everyone would be happier if APS said they wouldn't participate at all.

I’m not upset about it, but what you wrote isn’t accurate. It is automatic admission if you have a certain GPA, not just a shorter application process. And for whatever reason, the acceptance rate of APS students applying to GMU is far below the 90% overall acceptance rate (geographic diversity? Yield protection?)

I'm the OP that previous responder commented on. APS could have definitely asked GMU that the criteria be based on FARM or SWD status, not based on home school. It would have been more equitable across the board. I don't have full understanding of this program, but if it's just automatic admission for those who attend these schools, there's a lot of (upper) middle-class, but less academically inclined kids at Wakefield and W-L that will get in before the marginalized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, just adding across all high schools. Not just by school.

It's GMU's program, not APS'.
I really don't get all the upset about something that merely accelerates the application process - nothing else: no different eligibility requirements to attend GMU, no scholarship offer, no financial aid - just an expedited and shorter application process. Still have to "accept" and then complete an abbreviated application form, same FAFSA, still apply for any other financial aid and scholarships, still submit supplemental application requirements for specific schools (music, art, ...).

And again, this is GMU's program - not APS' initiative. I guess everyone would be happier if APS said they wouldn't participate at all.

I’m not upset about it, but what you wrote isn’t accurate. It is automatic admission if you have a certain GPA, not just a shorter application process. And for whatever reason, the acceptance rate of APS students applying to GMU is far below the 90% overall acceptance rate (geographic diversity? Yield protection?)

I'm the OP that previous responder commented on. APS could have definitely asked GMU that the criteria be based on FARM or SWD status, not based on home school. It would have been more equitable across the board. I don't have full understanding of this program, but if it's just automatic admission for those who attend these schools, there's a lot of (upper) middle-class, but less academically inclined kids at Wakefield and W-L that will get in before the marginalized.

Perhaps. My main concern is over who can pay the now very expensive in-state tuition without going into a mountain of debt. The wealthy and privileged students at Wakefield don’t have to worry, for example. It’s students from families that live paycheck to paycheck.

This program really would’ve been helpful for those economically disadvantaged students if tuition was waived based on maintaining a minimum college GPA. As it stands now, this GMU program is likely part of a money making growth strategy.

I’m glad APS continues to invest in the Career Center’s unique trade programs, since college shouldn’t necessarily be the goal for every student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent at Innovation elementary, I really wish all those kids were eligible. While our family is not the target audience, the school has a wealth of diversity socioeconomically and many first generation students.

It’s a shame Innovation and the Metro Corridor between Clarendon and Rosslyn no longer track to W-L. It’s so transit rich with busses and rail, and for the transit dependent, it was a convenient way to go to/from school. Maybe some will transfer to W-L to take advantage of this GMU initiative.

This is tangential but I suspect all of those kids could be zoned to WL in the future.

But back to the point of this post, there are kids who would qualify for free and reduced lunch but who are not receiving it. So that designation wouldn't necessarily capture all the target kids either. I don't know what the answer is, but just wanted to raise this point since I didn't see it discussed here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent at Innovation elementary, I really wish all those kids were eligible. While our family is not the target audience, the school has a wealth of diversity socioeconomically and many first generation students.

Perhaps the target schools have more economically disadvantaged and/or first generation students?

yes.

This is a terrible policy. GMU is basically admitting anyone who has a pulse and encouraging students to borrow money for useless degrees. They have become a diploma mill.

This is the problem. GMU is expensive and they are targeting families that can't afford it with students who have a higher chance of needing to drop out due to expenses before finishing the degree. I wonder if there is some incentive the Fed govt gives or the state , if they accept a certain number of students

Reiterating:
OK. So let's not reach out to lower income students and perpetuate the status quo.
Adding:
So colleges should not even bother to seek or recruit low-income students who may not be able to afford it. Definitely shouldn't admit them just in case they can't finish paying for their whole degree. That certainly solves the problem. These students can still apply for financial aid and scholarships. Some of them would never even consider college, but getting an offer may result in them at least looking into it and the possibilities.

You are equating lower income with being stupid. A lower income kid who has grades sufficient to go to college and the interest to go knows how to use google to find colleges in Virginia, the costs and how to get in. They can apply and get into college. That’s not the issue.

They don’t need colleges to reach out to them unless the reach out is an offer of aid to attend the school. They need the school to reach out with an offer of tuition that their family can reasonably afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent at Innovation elementary, I really wish all those kids were eligible. While our family is not the target audience, the school has a wealth of diversity socioeconomically and many first generation students.

Perhaps the target schools have more economically disadvantaged and/or first generation students?

yes.

This is a terrible policy. GMU is basically admitting anyone who has a pulse and encouraging students to borrow money for useless degrees. They have become a diploma mill.

This is the problem. GMU is expensive and they are targeting families that can't afford it with students who have a higher chance of needing to drop out due to expenses before finishing the degree. I wonder if there is some incentive the Fed govt gives or the state , if they accept a certain number of students

Reiterating:
OK. So let's not reach out to lower income students and perpetuate the status quo.
Adding:
So colleges should not even bother to seek or recruit low-income students who may not be able to afford it. Definitely shouldn't admit them just in case they can't finish paying for their whole degree. That certainly solves the problem. These students can still apply for financial aid and scholarships. Some of them would never even consider college, but getting an offer may result in them at least looking into it and the possibilities.

You are equating lower income with being stupid. A lower income kid who has grades sufficient to go to college and the interest to go knows how to use google to find colleges in Virginia, the costs and how to get in. They can apply and get into college. That’s not the issue.

They don’t need colleges to reach out to them unless the reach out is an offer of aid to attend the school. They need the school to reach out with an offer of tuition that their family can reasonably afford.

Nonsense. I'm doing no such thing.
First generation students often are at a disadvantage just by not having family members experienced with/knowledgeable about the college process. Applying can be overwhelming. Just researching schools to apply to can be overwhelming. Also, low income students may be less likely to proactively pursue college for a variety of reasons (financial being a big one) and having a college reach out to you extending an offer of admission may get them actually considering it, makes starting the process a lot easier, moves them more quickly toward applying for financial aid and looking into how they may be able to finance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent at Innovation elementary, I really wish all those kids were eligible. While our family is not the target audience, the school has a wealth of diversity socioeconomically and many first generation students.

It’s a shame Innovation and the Metro Corridor between Clarendon and Rosslyn no longer track to W-L. It’s so transit rich with busses and rail, and for the transit dependent, it was a convenient way to go to/from school. Maybe some will transfer to W-L to take advantage of this GMU initiative.

This is tangential but I suspect all of those kids could be zoned to WL in the future.

But back to the point of this post, there are kids who would qualify for free and reduced lunch but who are not receiving it. So that designation wouldn't necessarily capture all the target kids either. I don't know what the answer is, but just wanted to raise this point since I didn't see it discussed here.

This is absolutely true, but we don’t stop a program because of the what abouts.

I hope that scholarships are offered to the truly disadvantaged students who get in.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if APE will take this up. Seems on brand for them. Opportunity hoarding!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if APE will take this up. Seems on brand for them. Opportunity hoarding!

If a kid can't get into this type of school anyway, they would be better off going to community college, then guaranteed transferring to a better 4 year after maturing, which is a far better path with a better outcome unless you think the "college experience" of partying and rushing is most important.

This direct admit is important for 1G college and immigrant families because oftentimes they're not familiar with the 4-year process (all of high school) of college admissions far beyond the application process. There are language and cultural barriers in play, and hs counselors and teachers do not do a good enough job of mentoring these kids. And yes I know that counselors and teachers often have too much other work to do like babysitting kids that aren't at grade level.