SAN DIEGO -- It's that time of year -- the sound of envelopes being torn open as high school seniors anxiously await word on college acceptance.

In this day and age, getting into a four-year university takes more than just good grades.

"You work for a 4.0 (grade-point average) and you still might not get in," said local high school senior Jerne Willis.

Many students might not get in because the competition is intense.

Some high school seniors are applying to universities with more than a 4.0 GPA, making it difficult for seniors like Willis and Camille Lofton.

Students taking advanced placement courses push GPA's past the 4.0 mark.

Willis and Lofton said some of their peers are very discouraged.

"Some kids, they think about it, 'Why should I waste my time working really hard?' because it's really hard getting into a university and then to not get accepted … a lot of kids are getting discouraged, like maybe their friend applied and didn't get accepted and they're like, 'Why waste my time?" said Willis.

"It's hard enough to keep up with my grades and try to do extra-curricular activities … it's just more work," said Lofton

Ten years ago, the GPA for San Diego State University admitted freshmen was 3.41.

This year, the GPA is 3.61.

According to school officials, SDSU receives about 61,000 applications, and only 7,000 students are accepted.

"This is the most competitive year that I've seen in my four years," said SDSU admission counselor Matthew Hebert.

Hebert said students should start thinking about college early.

"Even in late middle school, to start looking at making their on-track for taking college preparation courses when they get to high school and that really is the key," said Hebert.

As for Willis and Lofton, they said they are going to go to a junior college first.

Both said they want to save money and transfer to a four-year university later.

School officials at the University of California, San Diego said the average GPA for admitted freshmen is 4.06.