My message: My GPA does not define me

Dear future president,

The education system is failing our children, especially our high school students. Our GPA does not define us or how smart we are. Many college and universities expect their applicants to have at least a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Especially the best known universities such as USC, UCLA, Harvard and Yale. It’s unfair because it’s making students with a lower GPA feel they have no chance at applying for these type of colleges.

I’m a student with a GPA of 3.0 and I have a lot of ideas of what I want to be later in my life. That starts with me going to school, and getting the education I need. I am involved in dancing and singing. It is my absolute dream to go to UCLA, but I have people, even some of my family members, telling me I can’t because of my GPA. Instead of focusing on our GPA to define us, colleges should focus on our lifestyles and how we are involved on making our country a better place to live in. This could decrease the rate of unemployment in five years and poverty.

As the new president of the United States, you should raise awareness to show all colleges how important it is to not judge us upon our grades or bring down GPA levels in these colleges to give everyone a chance.

Sincerely,

Anita Hailey

Van Nuys, Calif.