Senior Year Program

WARNING: SENIORITIS CAN BE DANGEROUS
By Mary A. Villeponteaux
 
Senioritis:  Lack of concern for one's academic program and performance.
 
Second semester high school juniors and seniors are the individuals at risk of contracting this potentially crippling, academic syndrome.
 
One of the major concerns of second semester juniors is scheduling courses for their senior year. While most juniors continue to pursue strong academic courses in their senior year, others succumb to "senioritis." These students take English 12 and perhaps one or two other academic courses then load up on non-academic electives. This proves to be detrimental when applying to colleges and universities.
 
Juniors should remember that no college or university in the country looks favorably upon a weak senior program. At least four academically challenging courses should be taken during the senior year. Advanced Placement and Honors level courses are preferred if they are available and appropriate. Performance and program in the senior year are strong predictors of the student's success as a college freshman.
 
Second semester seniors who have been offered admission to a college or university are the most common victims of "senioritis." These students have taken four to six academic courses with at least two courses at the Advanced Placement or Honors level. Performance in their first semester remained consistently above average, usually with a B+ to A average in all subjects.
 
Symptoms develop shortly after the offers of admission begin arriving in the mail. Many students realize that three and a half years of hard work actually did pay off: Soon after this revelation seniors begin to achieve a level of confidence never before experienced. They feel wonderful  and they SHOULD. However, too often this euphoria results in apathy toward schoolwork. As a result, grades begin to fall and academically challenging courses are replaced with far less demanding classes. Students with chronic cases of "senioritis" often receive final grades of C's, D's and even F's in courses with first semester averages of A and B+.
 
The chronic sufferers of "senioritis" convince themselves that the college or university from whom they received an offer of admission is not concerned with final grade reports. Students ignore the fact that their performance and course level must remain consistent throughout the entire senior year.
 
Offers of admission are based on the performance and curriculum illustrated in the first semester. Any deviation from that alters the basis for the offer of admission. As a result, the members of the Admissions Committee doubt the true ability and motivation of the applicant. The Vice President for Admissions at Mary Washington College requires students to explain, in writing, their decline in academic performance.
 
The Admissions Committee reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission if the student's performance falls below the acceptance level.
 
Remember that a dramatic decline in academic performance or a change in curriculum can result in the withdrawal of an offer of admission. Students can lose the opportunity to attend the college or university of their choice.

The following letters were received by or about high school seniors regarding their senior year coursework.

SUNY AT STONY BROOK
"I have recently reviewed your final high school transcript and am disappointed to note the significant decline in your senior year grades. In your acceptance letter I reminded you that enrollment is "contingent upon successful completion of your high school graduation requirements." I must ask you to write me a letter of explanation as soon as possible and by August 12 at the latest. Please provide reasons for your poor grades and suggest to me how you intend to improve your grades in a more rigorous and competitive environment. I am sorry to alarm you at this point, but frankly I am very concerned by the downward trend in your high school performance. You would not have been accepted based on your senior year."
 
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
"We received a report of your final grades for the academic year and consider them unacceptable. I refer specifically to your second semester grades of: 65 in Algebra, 60 in Expository Writing and 60 in psychology. It is clear that your admission status must be reevaluated and consequently, I have suspended your admission. If you wish to communicate with us about your circumstances, please do so in writing within the next five days. It is our preference not to talk with you or your parents until we have received your written communication. We will contact you again once we have received and reviewed your statement. At that time we will make a determination as to whether it is appropriate for you to meet with us. It is possible that communications as an indication that your admission status has been reinstated. We will contact you in writing when a final decision has been made on your case."
 
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
"The admissions Office is in the process of reviewing final school reports for the incoming freshman class. We note that your grades include a "D." As you know, you were offered admissions primarily on the basis of your outstanding academic performance. Since the final report represents a departure from your previous level of achievement, we would like to emphasize that Pennsylvania is a competitive institution which will demand your most diligent efforts during your undergraduate years. As you prepare to matriculate in September, I hope that you plan to pursue your academic goals with the same commitment you have previously demonstrated. It is advisable for you to make an appointment with the Dean's office when you come to campus to discuss your academic standing."
 
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
"In April we were pleased to offer you admission to the entering freshman class. This offer was extended to you contingent upon your continuing demonstration of the academic and personal qualities that led the committee to offer you admissions to the university. A recent review of your final grades showed a decline in your academic performance. Our experience is that students who have a weak final semester in secondary school often have difficulty regaining their motivation for the challenging freshman year at Tufts."
"I was distressed to receive your final grades which show a substantial drop in the level of your performance. Please write to me as soon as possible explaining your low grades in Physics and Economics and your withdrawal from Probability and Statistics."
 
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 
"You were admitted to Michigan State University earlier in March. At that time we sent you a certificate of admission and an admissions letter. I am sending you another copy of that letter highlighting the last sentence of the fourth paragraph. We recently received a copy of your seventh semester grades. Your grades have declined the second quarter in Writing, PreCalculus and of course, Physics. You will want to get yourself back on track. Do the type of work that resulted in your admission to the university and of which you are obviously capable. Don't let this senioritis continue to erode your academic progress. We'll be expecting to see much improved academic work when we receive your final transcript."
 
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON
"Dear Guidance Director:  In May we sent the enclosed list of students from your school who have been admitted as freshmen to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since most, if not all of these students were admitted with high school work in progress, I am asking that you report any changes in performance which might affect a student's admissibility. A change in which we are most interested is Failure or withdrawal of an "academic" course during the senior year. Please pay particular attention to changes in senior year mathematics or foreign language."
 
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 
"Research indicates that students whose senior grades show a downward trend often face academic difficulties their first year at the University of Rhode Island. The University would like to make the transition to college as smooth as possible thereby avoiding an unsuccessful freshman year. Therefore, the University is adopting a new review policy for senior transcripts, effective fall 1989. After review of the final transcript if we note a serious decline or reason for concern in academic performance, the student and high school guidance office will be sent one of the following letters:
 
A LETTER OF CONCERN  A letter of concern expresses our disappointment and asks the student to question their motivation and ability to handle the challenges of a college curriculum.
 

A LETTER OF SUSPENSION  A letter of suspension cancels the acceptance and requires the student to contact the Admissions Office in writing regarding their circumstances. Upon receipt of written communication, the application will be reevaluated and may or may not be reinstated.

 

A LETTER OF REVOCATION  A letter of revocation is the cancellation of the original acceptance. If a revoked student wishes to be considered at a later date, an interview would be required with an admissions counselor to discuss the possibility.

 
Your acceptance at any college or university does not guarantee your admission if your senior year performance does not reflect the university’s expectations for admission.  All colleges and universities reserve the right to reverse admission decisions based upon review of senior year performance.