The proposed new system of application to Coalition colleges represents a major change in the college application system that is unjustified, needlessly complex, and overly intrusive in the secondary school world. 

Although it purports to increase "access" to college it in fact creates many more roadblocks for students of all backgrounds. It does not take into account the realities of secondary school life, which are already stressful and competitive enough under the current ever-changing crazy quilt of requirements, deadlines, and testing options. 

High school counselors, teachers, students, administrators, and parents must bear the brunt of these changes, which put preparing for the college process ahead of gaining the academic foundation for actually succeeding in college.

At this point in the process, we the undersigned request that the Coalition postpone implementation of its application procedures until it presents:

1. A more logically coherent rationale for how this new system increases "access" to college for students at any socioeconomic level.

2. A better justification of how this plan supports the goals of secondary education as preparation for college, not simply for applying to college.

3. A stronger rationale for why a new system of applying to college needs to be developed, with appropriate supporting research.

4. A thorough review conducted with the active participation of high school counselors and teachers from all grades and across the curriculum

5. Results of a beta test conducted among a representative sample of high schools and high school students, including those who must administer and oversee it at the local level.

6. A clear method for introducing and supporting the appropriate technology for this system in every high school.

7. Presents a specific plan for staff supports that will fulfill the goal of having invited adults read and comment on students’ work in the “locker.”