Senior Beth Litke seems like she has it all planned out. As of November 26, 2010 she has been accepted to both of the schools she has applied to.
“I’m going to go to the University of Evansville; it’s not super close but not super far. It has a really good education program and it is small,” Litke said.
After taking both the ACT and the SAT, she began her applications for the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana and Ohio Wesleyan University in St. Delaware, Ohio.
“I did early admission, so they didn’t make me do as much on the application. It wasn’t hard; you just have to make sure you get all the scholarships you can possibly get,” Litke said.
Although her SAT and ACT scores were not quite as high as she had wanted, Litke had worked hard throughout her high school years and was in the top five percent of her class.
“I preferred the SAT because there wasn’t any science on it. I’m a really bad test taker, but I’m, like, thirtieth in our class,” Litke said.
Litke also had a very original take on SAT preparation. She chose not to study for either the SAT or the ACT.
“I didn’t find it necessary. I don’t think studying for a standardized test is helpful; you either know it or you don’t. I don’t think you should spend a month studying for one test,” Litke said.
Instead of relying heavily on her test scores, Litke showed the two universities how much she had been involved in throughout the years.
“[I believe that the most influential part of my application was] the amount of activities I have been involved in, like community service and all the organizations I’m in. Definitely being involved and yet still having good grades,” Litke said.
Litke has big dreams for her future after attending the University of Evansville and getting her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
“After [college,] it kind of depends on the opportunities that are presented. My first choice would be to go to Africa to teach, but if that opportunity isn’t there I would choose to settle in a city and teach. My hope, though, is to teach in Africa at some point; then God takes over and I have no idea,” Litke said.
As her time to say goodbye comes closer, Litke can look back with only one regret.
“I wish I had tried harder freshman year. Don’t take any opportunity for granted. Be involved but don’t overwhelm yourself. Take the SAT and ACT multiple times; leave plenty of time for that. Then, go where you want to go and do what you actually want to do,” Litke said.
Editors Note: This is a first in a series of stories about the challenges and rewards during a student’s senior year. Read The Uproar Online for future Senior College Profiles.