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Anti-gay policy in the military Opinion, Page 2 Homecoming Court Features, Page 6 Booster club Sports, Page 12 I II V* nLIrt Volume 83 No. 2 Grimsley High School Friday, October 27, 2006 801 Westover Terrace Greensboro, NC 27408 Early admission programs criticized, dropped Students endure so much pressure as they explore their college options and consider financial aid, loans, and grants. Without early admission, they have more time to ponder their choices. "We hope that doing letters must enroll in that BYDEANFOX Reporter Harvard College recently announced an unprec edented decision to drop its early action program, effec tive fall of 2007. This admis sions procedure, practiced at a large number of private and public universities, al lows students to apply to some colleges twice, once in the early fall with a small number of applicants, and then several weeks later with a larger number if rejected the first time. away with early admission will improve the process and make it simpler and fairer," said Harvard Interim Presi dent Derek Bok in an inter view with the "Harvard Uni versity Gazette." "Early ad mission programs tend to advantage the advantaged," said Bok. Similar to early action is early decision, a process sev eral colleges and universities also use for admission of new students. However, those students who apply early and receive acceptance particular school; the deci sion is binding. Harvard's early action program, though not obliga tory, gives unfair advantages to students whose parents earn higher incomes, accord ing to some critics. On the contrary, students from lower-income families often find it necessary to wait un til the regular admissions period in order to compare financial aid packages from various schools. However, some do not believe this pro gram truly does advantage wealthier students, as long as it remains non-compulsory. "I think that if it isn't bind ing, early admission isn't re ally discriminatory because students can choose not to attend schools where tuition is too high," said counselor Shantia Shackelford. Chances of being ac cepted to a college or univer sity are greater when a stu dent applies early because the group of applicants is smaller and because apply ing early implies a student's particular interest in that in stitution. A disadvantage, however, involves student performance once he or she receives an acceptance letter. "Students who are admit ted early receive what often appears to be a 'free pass' for their second semester, sadly encouraging them to disen gage from their academic experience," said Jeremy R. Knowles, interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sci ences, to the Harvard Uni versity Gazette. Parents often consider it imprudent for their children to apply for early decision since they are unable to com mit to a particular school without knowledge of its fi nancial aid opportunities. Even with the non-binding early action process in place, students with fewer re sources find it difficult to take advantage of this oppor tunity. Application fees for college admission range from $50 to $60, and visits to campuses can be expensive as well. Critics of the early admis sions program believe stu dents need as much time as possible to decide where to apply and, once accepted, where to attend; stress is a major factor, so decisions should not be rushed. With out early admissions, stu dents can wait until later in their senior year of high school to decide where to apply. Then, after receiving acceptance and/or rejection letters, they have until May to make their choices. Such a plan allows applicants almost an entire school year to explore their options. Harvard College's execu tive board, known as the fel lows of the Harvard Corpo ration, consider the early ad missions program discrimi natory and urge other schools to eliminate the pro cess as well. Their hope is for all students to have equal chances throughout the ad missions process. NHS tutors help peers increase academic growth BYADAMLONG Reporter Over 70 new peer tu tors, composed of the most academically gifted students on cam pus, either are aiding teachers who hold tuto rials after school or are partnering with struggling students to provide individual assistance. Scores of peer tutors are volunteering their time as a requirement of the National Honor Society. Involvement is compulsory, so failing to do so is grounds for expulsion from the se lective club. Principal Rob Gasparello is a staunch advocate of the peer tu toring program. While attending an education conference, he and as sistant principal Robert Christina discovered a high school in which the entire after-school tutoring program is student-run. Their model served as an in spiration for the tutoring program here. Membership in the NHS has reached an unprecedented peak. With so many students, many more learners re quiring aid in their studies can find help, a point expressed to the group on its second meeting by the principal. "We think peer tu toring may be able to reach some students who have not re sponded to their tradi tional teacher help," said science teacher Durante Griffin, the NHS advisor. According to Griffin, approximately 28 teachers currently uti lize peer tutors; several have more than one. Math teacher Roberta Rohan finds that tutorees "benefit from the relationship [with their NHS peers] as well as the tutoring." However, Rohan points out that the NHS system does not aid in structors who teach only underclassman courses because they do not maintain contact withseniors who could potentially be tutors. Fitting the manda tory volunteering into busy schedules was an initial hurdle for many NHS members. "Time is always a problem for students who are talented and active in so many ar eas," said Griffin. "No ■ Senior NHS member J.P. Burwell tutors junior Charles Behrhorst at afterschool peer tutoring. one has reported to positively affecting me that it has been impossible." President of the NHS Maria Kattmann believes her help is other students. "I do enjoy tutor ing," said Kattmann. "I like seeing the differ ence it makes."
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