A reminder about the value of a liberal arts education....
Article from the Wall Street Journal
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Front page article from the Bradenton Herald
College prep series to guide Manatee students through the selection
Bradenton Herald - November 4, 2013
By ERICA EARL — eearl@bradenton.com
MANATEE -- Finding the right college can be a daunting task
for high school graduates. There is the debate of whether to experience another
part of the country or stay in state, with school costs a heavily weighted
deciding factor. This is the time of year when high school students are either
sending off their college applications or scheduling campus tours. While it is
the beginning of a new chapter, it can also be a stressful and confusing
process.
College admissions experts Robin Groelle and Maria Furtado
will provide some clarity at a seminar: "College: Getting in and Paying
For It" Saturday at the Manatee County Central Library. The seminar is one
in a series led by Groelle as seniors complete their college applications for
acceptance next year.
"When I was a counselor, many students came in with the
expectation of 'Where am I going?' It is one of the first big decisions they
will make in life," Groelle said. "Their schedule and routine changes
abruptly, and there can be a great sense of loss looming." Groelle said
others see college as a chance for freedom. Either way, Groelle said, the
seminar is designed to give students and parents different views on college,
including practical advice, a college planning calendar, advice for making the
most of campus visits and getting financial aid.
Students can benefit by taking a deeper look at the college
search process, starting with their feelings toward the high school classroom.
"One question every student should ask is: 'How do I learn best now?' and
find a college with those values," Groelle said. Furtado said an initial
start to finding the right college fit is putting aside name branding. "It
is not as stressful if you are open-minded, true to who you are, and not
chasing after a name," she said.
For many families, that can be a struggle. "Recognizable names are
often seen as safer choices," Furtado said. "They don't always take a
step back before making a decision." She recommends looking at small
liberal arts colleges locally, keeping in mind academic and personal
experience.
After reading about or visiting a string of schools, they
can all start to look alike, Groelle said, so students should step back from
the marketing materials when that happens to talk about what they want in a
school. Parents can participate in the college admissions process through
tours. "Even if the criteria is set for what a student wants academically,
is the campus culture one they will feel comfortable in?" Groelle said.
Families often look at extremes, such as conservative versus liberal, but
forget the middle ground of comfort. "Some students have come to me saying
they have looked at five to six schools with no 'aha' moment," Furtado
said. "That it is hard, but I can't really say 'Visit 38 more schools,
that'll work.' The best thing to do is to tour until it clicks and feels like
the right place."
The seminar will also direct students toward finding a match
culturally and intellectually. Groelle said students should determine if they
will thrive more in a competitive environment in which they must rise to the
occasion to maintain their desired grade point average, or a less competitive
school. "The vast majority of scholarships are merit-based aid,"
Furtado said. Groelle said the cost of higher education is "the big
elephant in the room." The average cost of college -- $20,000 a year -- is
beyond the means of many Americans. "Families hear about student debt, but
it is not a new concept," Groelle said. "College is the largest
investment you will make in yourself."
Another sensitive topic is testing, Groelle said. "It
narrows the funnel of those qualifying for Bright Futures Scholarships,"
Groelle said. "A growing number of colleges are questioning the accuracy
and predictability of testing." Fairtest.org provides a list of
test-optional colleges, including the American University in Washington, D.C.
and the Berklee College of Music. In-state colleges include Beacon College,
Chiploa College, Daytona State College and Full Sail University. Groelle said
these schools look at other credentials, such as an additional essay. Even top
test-takers may choose to go to these schools, but students still need to think
seriously about preparing for the ACT and SAT. "The tests can make a
difference if a student chooses to stay in-state," Groelle said.
Groelle said opting only for in-state eliminates different
types of schools, such as all-girls schools, highly selective institutions and
Ivy League schools. Going out of state might not be a financial option, but
students may want to consider the population of in-state students at their
choice colleges. "When going to school with mostly in-state students, you
only get one perspective," Furtado said. "It can skew the social and
academic experience." Groelle recommends the "where does your
freshman class come from?" link on the Chronicle of Higher Education
website. According to the website, 95.5 percent of freshmen at the University
of Florida came from Florida in 2010. At Eckerd College, only 18.1 percent of
the 2010 freshman class came from in-state.
Furtado and Groelle said the seminars will touch on a
variety of factors to consider when applying for school, including some that
several students may not have thought about. "The message is that you can
do this," Furtado said. The "College: How to Get in and Pay for
It" seminar will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Manatee
County Central Library.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Changing landscape of University Endowments
Recent economic volatility has taken its toll on college and university
endowments. This interactive chart from the Chronicle of Higher Education shows how the endowments of more than
800 institutions have fared over the past six years. Surprisingly some have nearly fully recovered.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tips for Parent/Teacher Communication
Here's a thoughtfully written article offering sage advice for ways to more effectively communicate with your child's teachers. The Dicey Parent-Teacher Duet....from the NYT.
Friday, January 25, 2013
College Freshmen's Changing Views
Check out this interactive survey from the Chronicle of Higher Education on the changing backgrounds and beliefs of college freshmen.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Choosing a College - a place to grow
This recent article in the NY Times challenges you to remember what's really important about the college experience. It's worth a read!
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