Choosing a college is one of life’s big decisions, and the process of getting in is an exciting — but often stressful — rite of passage. To find out what that passage is really like, U.S. News visited Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida, in late April to ask a group of seniors what went into their calculus for deciding on a college.
RHS is a neighborhood school whose International Baccalaureate diploma program attracts about one-third of the student body. Nearly a third are connected to the military, with family members stationed at nearby MacDill Air Force Base.
The school population is diverse: 47 percent of students are white; Hispanics comprise more than 21 percent; and African-American students account for 15 percent. Nearly half qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Eighty-five percent of students go on to college. Here’s how eight seniors found the right fit — and what it took for them to make the cut.
Ausby stuck with Florida and got into all five schools he applied to: University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida.
He chose the University of South Florida, considering it to have “the best pre-med program in the state.”
Ausby, who wants to be an orthopedic surgeon, says he did two things that helped his application shine despite suboptimal SAT and ACT scores. First, he earned an associate degree at Hillsborough Community College as well as a high school diploma by participating in a dual-enrollment program starting his sophomore summer. And he highlighted his commitment to service in his essay, which included helping out at a local clinic and at two elementary schools.
He also expected to get certified as a medical technician over the summer. Working will help pay for college, and one-third of the $21,000 annual cost is covered by a scholarship.
GPA: 3.73
SAT/ACT scores: 600 math, 500 critical reading, 610 writing/25
Extracurriculars: Founded the school’s African-American Heritage Club, member of Feed America and Future Doctors of America clubs; shadowed a pharmacist to get a sense of a career in health.
Essay: The decisions and accomplishments of his parents to get to where they are today, with his father in the military and his mother a teacher, and continuing the family legacy of service.
Early start: Began working on his applications at the end of junior year and sent off his last app in early November.
Boost: The community college degree. “My test scores were low, but dual enrollment showed I can do the work.”
Regret: Getting a liberal arts and sciences associate degree rather than one that would have allowed him to work as a surgical technician. The liberal arts credits transferred, but he thinks the work experience would have been helpful when he applies to medical school.
Advice: Do what his dad advised: Be disciplined. That means “getting up when you don’t feel like it and doing your work when you don’t feel like it.”
This story is excerpted from the U.S. News “Best Colleges 2017” guidebook, which features in-depth articles, rankings and data.
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How I Got to College: Marlon Ausby Jr. originally appeared on usnews.com
