Why is GPA Important

Why is GPA Important Ask any teacher how much grades really matter in high school and youre certain to get the same answer: a lot. When teens get to junior year and start getting their college applications together, it becomes especially clear that grades are at the top of the list of factors that just about every college and university considers when evaluating applicants. Colleges want to know that the students they accept into their school are well-prepared to succeed. Yes, those SAT and ACT scores are important to colleges, but when evaluated alongside the GPA. Still, on its own, the GPA speaks loud and clear about your teen as a student. Here are six things your teens high school GPA says to the colleges and universities to which he applies: How much your teen cares about school Whether completely true or not, your teens grades make an impression that lasts. Low grades across the board could send the message that your teen was apathetic in high school, whereas high grades imply that school is something that your teen gave a lot of attention. Grasp on the subject matter Obviously, grades are an indicator of how well students understand each subject. To the college admissions officer, high grades show that your teen met teachers expectations throughout the duration of those classes and acquired the knowledge needed to master the material. Your teens effort While there will be times that your teen tries hard in a class and the grade doesnt reflect that, generally, good grades dont come without sincere effort. If your teen has a strong GPA, that tells colleges he tried and persevered even through challenging classes. Long-term potential Visit any colleges admissions website and youre sure to find some statement about its goal of admitting highly qualified students with the ability to succeed in their academic environment. Your teens grades are a big consideration for colleges for the simple reason that they want to admit students with high potential. Preparation for school and life success The next time your teen claims that grades are just a letter/number, remind him of this fact: to colleges, grades are an indicator of future success. That certainly doesnt mean your teen will fail in college if his grades arent the greatest today, but an admissions officer could be concerned that he isnt prepared for the rigors of college academics. Commitment to putting in the work Getting good grades is the result of several things: effort, knowledge of the subject matter and dedication to demonstrating that knowledge to a teacher. When your teen earns a high GPA, that tells colleges that he was committed to going to school, studying and doing homework. Urge your teen not to make the mistake of assuming that colleges value SAT and ACT scores more than gradesit simply isnt true. Both are important, of course, but high scores on the SAT or ACT will not compensate for a low GPA. Encourage your teen to work hard in school by taking AP or honors classes (that is appropriate for your teens skill, of course). If your teen recently received a less-than-stellar report card, dont wait to correct the problem, as every report card counts toward the GPA. Huntington can help. Contact us to learn more about how we can develop a customized program of instruction to help your teen address any academic challenges and raise those grades before the next report card.

An Open Letter to the Woman Who Tried to Pee On My Car

An Open Letter to the Woman Who Tried to Pee On My Car Photo by Romi34 via Flickr I am not mad at you. I am mad at myself. I am mad for not seeing the artistry with which you flicked up your khaki skirt in one fluid motion. A motion practiced and executed with the precision and ease of Tiger Woods golf swing. Underneath your skirt were black men’s briefs, your whitey tighties transcending color and logic. You bent down, arched your back, and stuck out your chest. You pressed your pumpkin butt-cheeks against my door handle like a kiss. You paused, hands on knees. There was a moment. A moment that holds so much beauty and significance, that the only appropriate action is to be silent. To try and absorb what you can, though you know you’ll never be able to fully appreciate or understand it. And what I did nextâ€"what I did to that momentâ€"I will regret for the rest of my life. I reached over and pounded my fist against my passenger window. Hey, I shouted, Hey! She turned around and stared at me, and I stared back. Those eyes. You were about to paint the Mona Lisa before me, but I panicked. I panicked the way men panic when confronted with power they can’t understand. All too often, invitations get lost in the mail, and fear knocks on your door when appreciation was meant to. I’m sorry, she said. She pulled her skirt back down as best she could, and took a step forward. I’m so sorry, she said as she turned her head around a final time, taking those eyes with her. No, I am sorry. I don’t know what you had in mind. I don’t deserve to know. I’d like to think you would have doused the flames of conformity with a hearty stream of Gatorade and string-cheese infused pee. I’d like to think you would have lifted the societal veil of deception from my eyes the way you lifted your skirt over those confusingly bumpy hips. I’d like to think you would have not only urinated on my car, but on my heart. If you return to me, I will take your hand. We will waddle our way to Washington, march up the steps of the Lincoln memorial, climb up on Abe’s shoulders, and pee on his face. But you won’t. You’re gone and not coming back. I sent you away, like so many before me. A bathroom? Why? A toilet? Says who? I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself.