A recent report found that tens of thousands of Los Angeles high school students do not know they are on track for eligibility to apply to the University of California or the California State University. This potentially untapped body of college applicants is exciting, but also a little overwhelming.
According to the report, released Monday, those students simply haven’t been made aware of their potential eligibility because counselors are not using software that evaluates and notifies students of the requirements they must fulfill to apply.
The fact that so many students could be on the brink of pursuing higher education should be interpreted as a testament to the potential of students in Los Angeles.
However, it is sad that these students are being held back by an infrastructure that has yet to fully adapt to the software.
Unfortunately, the potential for such a large applicant pool presents a conundrum. Given the current budget crisis and the UC Regents’ decision to cap enrollment growth, it’s hard to imagine how the UC will accommodate such a large group.
Thus, while we applaud the largest graduating senior class, California is simultaneously shutting the doors for access to one of the largest and most prestigious public higher education institutions.