Tenure, RIP: What the Vanishing Status Means for the Future of Education Facing finacial pressures, colleges and universities are increasingly turning to adjunct faculty to teach their classes. The downside may be that students' educational experiences will be compromised. And, with fewer tenured faculty, who will dare to be the voice of dissent on campus?
Colleges consider the value of gender-neutral housing
New Policies Accomodate Transgender Students Colleges are working to figure out how to best accomodate their transgendered students. While there seem to be no easy solutions, some colleges are instituting gender-neutral dormitories.
What does psychology research really tell us?
Why We're All WEIRD This article caught my attention. As a psychology major (from way back when) I can attest that the subjects I used for my senior thesis were, by and large, "weird".
Is the High Cost of Private College Worth the Return on Investment?
A new set of rankings for colleges has just been have released. Payscale has compared the return on investment (ROI) for over 800 colleges and has posted the study on their website Average-cost-for-college-ROI. . With the high cost attending private colleges families are clearly questioning whether it's worth the investment. We are certianly hearing that more and more in our offices and understand as well as appreciate the appropriateness of the question. While useful as one of the factors in the college planning and selection process, this should not overshadow the importance of the best fit for the student. Being happy, successful and prepared to enter the world of work after college are relative to the individual. Just because a college has a great ROI, it doesn't mean it will for that one person. So while this is one indicator of success, it is just that one indicator. Other factors include student culture, professor access, class size, cocurricular opportunities, internships, and location to name a few.
Top 10 Strengths and Experiences Colleges Look for in High School Students Just as no two students look alike, neither do any two applications. Here's a list of the top strengths colleges look for in applicants, but it's important to highlight your unique skills and interests.
In your own words....
Finding Applicants Who Plagerize The most challenging piece of the common application for the vast majority of the college applicants we work with is the personal statement. They hem, they haw, they look at us plaintively for help, and they dread typing those 500 words. (Yes, the personal statement asks for "250 words, minimum, but 500 feels about right for most essays). So, this piece about the increasing incidences of plagerism admissions officers are finding is disheartening, but comes as no surprise. Using someone else's essay as your own certainly takes the pain out of the writing process.
I find that working with our clients on their personal statements is one of my favorite parts of the entire college process. It is an opportunity for the student to reflect on their lives, evaluate their accomplishments, consider their values, and take stock of what they have accomplished in their 17 years and consider where they are headed. However, getting students to clearly and succintly and to articulate these ideas is a challenge. Over the next few weeks we will be blogging about some of the strategies we use to help our clients move past their writer's block and will be giving some tips about how to write a powerful, revealing, compelling personal statement - in your own words.
Advice for the college bound athlete
7 Things You Need to Know About Sports Scholarships While being an athlete is certainly an asset to any college application, don't play sports just for the scholarship money, which is likely to be less than you expect. Play for the love of the game.
What's next for higher education?
Experts Ponder the Future of the American University In reponse to the globalization of commerce and culture, increased accessibility of information, and changing demographics in developed countries colleges and universities are being forced to rethink their traditional models of education. The University of Phoenix is, in many ways, on the leading edge of some of these changes and it will be interesting to watch how other schools respond.
Practice makes perfect
Many test prep centers are offering free SAT and ACT practice test sessions throughout the summer and there are many reasons why students should take advantage of this opportunity. Like a dress rehearsal, these sessions replicate the real testing environment as students sit in a room with other students and take the test following the standard protocol. Through exposure to real test questions, when the time comes for the official test, students should feel more confident going into their SAT or ACT. Each student will receive a detailed score report and analysis that breaks down performance and identifies strengths and areas for improvement which will help them be more focused in their SAT/ACT prep. Finally, for students contemplating whether to take the SAT or the ACT the practice tests will give thema chance to compare their scores to determine whether they have a natural strength/preference for one or the other.
Practice makes perfect - summer is the perfect time to take advantage of this opportunity.
7 Life Lessons
UC Riverside Commencement Speech Although I tend to find graduations to be rather tedious, drawn-out affairs, I do like to read commencement speeches. Usually erudite, often witty, a great graduation speaker is able to give important advice or perspective to the graduating class. In her commencement speech at UC Riverside, Lynda Resnick gives 7 suggestions for a life well-led.
Summer is a great time to visit college campuses
School is almost over and now is the time to plan those college visits. Summer can be a great time to visit colleges especially those that are a greater distance from home. Admissions offices are also now scheduling interviews as well. Without missing school or having to worry about school obligations you can take advantage of the summer to tour college campuses and interview.
Good Luck!!
AHP Educatioanl Consulting want to wish thsoe who are sitting for the ACT tomorrow all the best...
Encouraging the Renaissance Man/Woman
Coming to the Defense of Liberal Education While not everyone is best suited for liberal arts, Michael Roth writes an articulate and insightful piece advocating for the value of a liberal arts education.
The Personal Touch
A Campus Embraces Old School Admissions The admissions office at Hobart and William Smith Colleges is putting their efforts into making personal connections with prospective applicants. Their results - a higher yield. From our perspective - a better experience for the applicant.
A different perspective on the college search
A New Journey with my Daughter This summer I will begin the college search process with a student whom I am certain is going to be my all-time favorite client - my own daughter.
I have worked with many different types of students of widely varying abilities, talents and interests. I have enjoyed learning about them as discovering the right college match has lead them to learn new things about themselves.
Although I have known my daughter for much longer and much more intimately than any of my clients, I am eagerly looking forward to that same process of self-discovery with her.
Students' college choices are strongly influenced by finances
The Economy and College Choice As if choosing the "right" college weren't a complex enough decision, students and their families continue to weigh the net cost of attendance when making their decision.
Why boys are underrepresented in gifted classrooms
Gender Gap for the Gifted in City Schools I'm always disheartened to hear how gender gaps persist in schools, despite on-going research. It turns out that today's classrooms may favor girls because the emphasis is on literacy and testing - things girls tend to excell at, rather than on math and spatial relationships - those things that boys typically do better with.
Now you can bring Fido to college with you
Colleges Extend the Welcome Mat to Students' PetsAn increasing number of colleges are allowing students to bring their pets with them to school. After agreeing to some very strict rules, students can keep their cats, birds, dogs, and, in some cases, non-venemous snakes in their dorm rooms. Those colleges with designated dorms allowing pets believe that students who opt to bring their pet to school show greater responsibility and organization. Others worry that having a pet might keep those pet owners more isolated.
How to increase your chances of acceptance
The Dynamics of Demonstrated Interest As colleges are working to increase their yield, at many colleges, particulary the most selective ones, admissions officers are looking carefully at a student's demonstated interest in their school as a way of gauging how likely they are to yield.
Why students should continue with foreign language study
The Real Reasons to Support Language Study Occaisionally a student will tell us that they are finished studying foreign language. While they might have compelling reasons for this decision, there are good reasons why it is valuable for students to continue with the same foreign language throughout their high school years. Not only is this what colleges generally like to see, but there is evidence that foreign language study builds many other skills, besides communication.