The transformation from superior high school seniors to the lowly freshmen of college is a somewhat drastic process involving everything from actually graduating to keeping a check on finances. However the single-most important aspect of this journey  are the college applications, and subsequently, acceptance into a college of one’s choosing. The college application presents an obstacle that baffles some and intimidates others, as thousands of students hawk their skills and accomplishments to the league of public and private universities. GOOD INTRO -Docraygen 9/29/08 12:38 AM 
    The paragon of academia is often portrayed as acceptance into one of the Ivy League colleges; but  “the pursuit of a prestigious education in and of itself [does not] necessarily guarantee satisfaction in real life” (Steinbeck - SPELL- Docraygen 9/29/08 12:39 AM30). In the bloodbath that is the college admissions process, the search should be to find a fit to the person in question. Julianna Benetes, a student of Harvard-Westlake High School, had the right idea when she described her criteria for college; one “with a strong academic environment that would challenge her activist notions yet still not consume all of her family’s income” (Steinbeck 206). Despite the unfairness of it all, the price of four years of  private college often affects whether or not a student will attend. According to the new broadcaster CNN, the average cost of a single year of college in the  2006-2007 school year was over thirty-thousand dollars (CNN).  Those without spare millions must rely upon scholarship programs and financial aid or in dire circumstances alter their choice of college based on money.
    More often than not, once a student has found his or her ideal colleges they will compete on paper against steep odds. Thousands of prospective students showcase their test scores, high school regimens, and essays; all are scrutinized and cross examined during the silent competition for a one of the names of the admissions role. Harvard, widely regarded as the most selective college in America, accepted just 7% of applicants for the class of 2012 (Crimson) proving students must be exceptional to get into their top choices. On the other hand, to appear well-rounded, universities change their various standards to incorporate those who would not make the cut otherwise. Colleges are pressured into admitting equal parts male and female, despite higher numbers of females graduating from high school. This is not the only bias the colleges are rightly accused of. Schools also look to increase the ethnic diversity rates within their halls.  Occidental College proudly displays a web page devoted to the demographics of the campus, in the case of Occidental in 2006: six percent African American, fifteen percent Asian American, thirteen percent Latino, forty five percent Caucasian, and sixteen percent undeclared. (oxy) Another unfair practice includes the fact that college admission officers sometimes collaborate with private high school counselors to find the best students in the upcoming classes (Steinbeck 166). And thus we see that the college admissions process becomes an uphill battle for those not aided by these weighted scales.
    Of course, this particularly affects the population of El Segundo High School, which is primarily middle class, white, and part of a public institution, part of the majority that has become a minority. The children of El Segundo who don’t know their options rely on their school councilors - SPELL- Docraygen 9/29/08 12:42 AM to inform them about their college possibilities, but these duties are rarely performed to the students’ satisfaction. As Ralph Figuroa, a seasoned college admissions officer at Weyslan University, noted, ”students who could benefit from [counselors] services the most …were those who could not afford them” ( Steinbeck 31). The student populace of El Segundo is unaware of the importance of extracurricular activities and what really counts in the college admissions process. The only glimmer of hope on their resulting unremarkable applications becomes their personal appeal. And fortunately, it was noted that, “ It is a mistake to hold out that total fairness is the only perspective” in the beometh of college admissions (Steinbeck 100). We can only pray that a scrap of paper can do our personality and character justice.
    Personally I would love to attend any number of colleges: Humboldt, UC Davis, or Grinnell. More realistically - NOT REALLY , HUMBOLT IS MUCH EASIER THAN USC OR OXYDocraygen 9/29/08 12:44 AM, I have better chances at the University of Southern California, Occidental College, or Brigham Young University: Idaho. Each College has a specific appeal to myself, the programs, the faculty, or the students.I can only hope that I can get into at least one of these. With the broad number of colleges I appreciate, the deciding factor has become in recent months, the location of the college. The state universities are both spacious campuses next to considerable greenery. Grinnell College is stationed in the middle of Iowa (Grinnell), while Occidental and the  University of Southern California are stationed around Los Angles. Brigham Young University: Idaho is at the heart of a small farming community, but only a few miles from Yostemine YOU MUST MEAN YELLOWSTONE; YOSEMITE IS IN CALIFORNIA -Docraygen 9/29/08 12:46 AM National Park.  But it all boils down to finding the perfect college to suit my requirements and sensibilities.