Student Profiles: Alyssa Jones

Alyssa Jones

Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City is a magnet school for grades 8-12. Ranked one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News, it is ethnically diverse, and some 92 percent of students participate in the school's AP or IB programs. We asked eight Sumner seniors to talk about applying for college.  

Alyssa Jones was on task when it came to applying to colleges, seeking early admission from seven midwestern schools and regular admission at Kansas State. All eight accepted her, including Iowa, Drake, and Newman. She opted for Kansas State and its business program. The hardest part now may be defending her chosen school. "I was raised a Jayhawk," she says. 

GPA: 3.8 unweighted 

ACT score: 24 composite 

Extracurriculars: Volleyball, softball, cheerleading, forensics, debate, National Honor Society 

Surprise: The eight schools didn't require essays or teacher recommendations. 

On packaging herself: "I'm No. 17 of 143 [in class rank] and I'm proud of that," Jones says, adding that she's hard-working, dedicated, confident, and well rounded. 

Annoyance: "It took a week to get my transcripts." 

Big help: University of Kansas Talent Search, a free program to help middle and high schoolers in Wyandotte County prepare for and apply to college 

Value of visits: She scratched early favorite Emporia State (too small) and Kansas (too big). 

Advice: Get applications in early. Jones did, and was able to enjoy more of her senior year. 

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