Senioritis has plagued generation after generation of students concluding their senior year, and for some it may set in even earlier than that.
In order to prevent this from effecting their college admission process, or because some are just plain overachievers, some students choose to apply to college very early in the admission window.
Rolling admissions is the process of colleges accepting student’s applications as they “roll” in, based on the student’s credentials. Essentially, if the student applies early and they are accepted, in most cases they are almost guaranteed to be enrolled the the following year. Almost.
This popular method may pose a threat to those at risk of mock sickness. This process begs the question: how does rolling admissions effect a senior’s work ethic during their senior year?
With this form of acceptance, some students may believe that because they have already received their acceptance letter that they have a cushion and can slack off for the rest of the year, coupling the affects of senioritis.
It’s a common occurrence for seniors to take a backseat starting in the second quarter of the school year, because by that time a majority of students have already been accepted. Colleges have already seen the student’s grades and admitted the student and therefore there is no reason the college will look at second semester grades.
However, this is false. Most universities have caught onto this trend and tend to take a closer look at the student’s grades throughout the entirety of their senior year. They often view the student’s reports (including GPA and current classes) at the end of first semester to make sure the student is maintaining momentum and keeps up with the requirements for that school. Colleges have the right to rescind their acceptance of the student at any time they see necessary. They will do so especially if the student has gotten “off track.”
“In the back of my mind I have to remember I still have to graduate to go to college, first, but it changed me in the sense of my will to be [at school] is not good but my grades are still pretty average for me,” said senior Abbigail Sutch, who was recently accepted into the University of Central Florida.
It is also important for students to keep up their grades and work ethic, especially regarding AP classes. If a student keeps working hard in those specific classes then they will most likely be better off on their AP exams and they will be more likely to earn the credit needed to opt out of those classes in college.
On the contrary, their acceptance can push students to keep up their studies or to work harder.
“[Acceptance] motivates me because I know that going into college, it will be harder,” said senior Zach Whitmer, who was accepted into the University of South Florida.
Many students find it comforting to know that they have already been accepted, despite the potential risk of senioritis.
“Before with the SATs and ACTs, it was high stress and with the essay and the whole application process it was stressful. But now, knowing that I’m officially into a college, it’s exciting,” said Sutch.
Ultimately the students who have already applied and shown a motivation are the students who tend to continue to try their hardest as they finish out the year.
Lauren Johnston // Backpage Editor and Business Manager
