Harry Potter and our college quest.
How many times can you remember a book release more anticipated and talked about than the seventh Harry Potter book? Tales of space exploration, halocaust, global warming have never sparked the excitement and obsession for this seventh book by J.K. Rowling. Recognizing the extraordinary phenomenon, the Los Angeles Times postulates today that perhaps it is the result of Rowling’s populist message: The real quest in life is that of personal transformation and not even the Chosen One can go it alone. Leaving home for college is most certainly a MAJOR personal transformation. And for those of us who are past those years, we all can cite times during our college years when we needed the support of family, friends or professors to get through a day. We definitely did not go it alone. However, its not just kids who love Harry Potter. The widespread popularity of Harry Potter to fans of all ages is proof that personal transformations are not merely for the young, and none can go it alone. So enjoy the last book if you’re a fan as I am and look forward to many personal transformations in your future, hopefully surrounded by friends, family and colleagues.
Grades in the Mail! Work Smarter, Not Just Harder
End of another school year…should ‘ve of, could ‘ve, would ‘ves abound. Whatever your story, thankfully, “It’s over!” Regrettably, that moment of euphoria–throwing your papers into the trash bins or into the air on the walk home, is ever so fleeting.
Breaking the crazy, lazy daze of summer haze, I must report that grades do matter. They matter a lot! According to a recent University of California study, high school grades are a better predictor of college performance than the dreaded SAT’s. [We knew that all along…but now its true because University of California said so.]
Recognizing that the college admissions offices exist to identify high school students who will succeed and thrive at the various colleges and universities across the country. I believe the next few years will bring even more emphasis by college admissions officers on grades, activities, community service and employment…less on SAT’s. This trend will not be limited to small liberal arts colleges. UCLA adopted just such an holistic approach to admissions this year and reports good results particularly in the area of minority admissions indirectly confirming the SAT’s socioeconomic bias.
What to do? Take a day off, go to the beach, the shore, the lake or the river and then come back home committed to working even harder next year. Working harder means also working smarter. Select classes, activities, community service and work that allows you to explore your interest. Less can be more if it is done better.
Oh yes, and don’t forget the sunscreen.
Princeton or Cal State Long Beach: Numbers Aren’t Always What They Seem
F. King Alexander, President of Cal State Long Beach, asserts in today’s “Inside Higher Ed” that people need to change how they evaluate a college’s program. Currently colleges are ranked by “US News” in large part by SAT scores and graduation rates (first-time, full time enrollees who earn degrees within six years). Princeton leads the country with a rate of 97 percent. Cal State Long Beach reports a 48 percent graduation rate. Alexander insists a comparison of these two numbers does not accurately reflect the relative quality of education offered at the two institutions.
Alexander does not propose throwing out graduation rates as a tool for comparison, but suggests adding to that measure the total graduates (8000 for Long Beach, much less for Princeton) and the percentage of students who are eligible for Pell Grants (a proxy for serving disadvantaged students). Alexander suggest that by adding these numbers many of the excellent public universities would begin to compare favorably with the private institutions that currently dominate the top of the US News rankings and thereby have more of an opportunity to catch the attention of the highly qualified high school seniors.
It would be an oversimplification if you discard Alexander’s proposal as an attempt to bash elite private schools and build up public universities. In the same article, he notes that Cornell University, University of Southern California and Brigham Young University are currently ranked slightly less competitive than their peers but graduate far more students from economic bases that include larger shares of Pell eligible students than their peers. Alexander is asking that we consider which institution is really doing the best by its students? For parents and students, its not as simple to know which school is “better” as US News would like us to think.
The “New” Chapman University: Orange, CA
The papers have been filled with accolades for the new, state-of-the art film school at Chapman University that many believe rivals or surpasses the traditional icon University of Southern California. Applications to the film school have been streaming in with only 22% being offered a position.
What the papers may have missed was what was going on at the rest of Chapman University just four blocks away. There too the number of applications have been growing each year to the point the school no longer offers interviews. It was reported by admissions that they accepted 44% of the applicants for non-film school programs.
Why the growing popularity? Though most definitely a liberal arts university that encourages students to explore many fields, Chapman prides itself in producing graduates with real-world skills, pre-professional training as they describe it. Obvious examples are business/accounting, clinical psychology experience, nursing, teaching and much more. Improving its graduates chances of landing a good job is popular with parents and students alike.
Chapman learning takes place in small classes with maximum student/professor interaction. Construction was everywhere on this very compact main campus when I visited this past week. New libraries, dorms, classroom buildings are intermingled with buildings that date back to the founding of Chapman–the date of the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln. Few schools in the country can boast of “no parking problem” as does Chapman that just completed construction of a brand new football field and track over a two-story underground parking structure!
Though Orange has a plethora of antique stores that are of little interest to most students the restaurants are reported to be good and it sits minutes from Angel Stadium, the Pond and of course Disneyland…the happiest place on earth. All in all, I would recommend you give this “new” Chapman a look–definitely a small, liberal arts university on the upswing.
Young Men and College: Aren’t Going and Aren’t Staying?
“Women make up 58 percent of college and university students, with the percentage of men shrinking every year.”
“Nationwide, male students are also much more likely than women to drop out of school, have lower grades, have run-ins with campus judicial systems and even commit crimes…A lot of times its fighting, vandalism, damaging property. The overwhelming majority of the time it involves alcohol.”
“Experts also say men are less likely to seek help from tutors, teachers and counselors than women–one reason they probably drop out more often.”
Orange County Register June 4, 2007.
According to this Register article, university professionals are becoming more interested in serving the specific needs of male students. University of California Irvine Asst. Vice Chancellor Thomas Parham believes boys of all races generally do worse in school because they are more physically active and find it harder to sit and study or listen to a lecture.
Along that line, together with my local PTA book club, I recently read The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and Life, by Michael Gurian. Gurian’s message is that the innate learning style of boys is inconsistent with traditional kindergarten through high school education programs. In addition to brain research, he includes separate chapters on boys with ADD/ADHD, undermotivated boys and sensitive boys. Whether or not Gurian’s specific suggestions for change will be effective in bettering the lot of boys in our schools is yet to be seen. However, Gurian’s work most certainly will raise awareness of the learning differences between boys and girls which is an important first step.
As parents we all know boys are different from girls and boys are different from each other. But if for example, if boys are less likely to seek out help with school then perhaps as parents we need to stay more on top of our son’s grades in order to encourage them to get help when they need it. We hope that by the time our son is in college he will have learned the benefits of seeking help and will initiate it on his own…well, perhaps after a stumble or two freshman year.
On my son’s graduation day from Oberlin College, I felt pride and relief that he had stuck it out. So many of his male friends from freshmen year didn’t cross the stage that day. As he gathered his cap and diploma, a woman rushed up to him and gave him a giant hug–it was his tutor from the learning center who he finally sought out his sophomore year. After the ceremony driving to lunch he summed it up perfectly with a big smile on his face, “I’m never going to school again!” Well two years later he makes mention from time to time of graduate school, but no definite plans. He loves his work as a musician which pays the rent so everything is good.
PS In the interest of equal time…a very different book but one about challenges girls are facing is Stressed-Out Girls: Helping Them Thrive in the Age of Pressure, by Roni Cohen-Sandler, Ph.D. Subject for future blog.
High School Seniors: Crazy Daze of Summer
Its been another year of “lasts” for high school seniors across the country. Though each student had their very own set of “lasts”, each represented a moment of reflection and something lost forever. Last football game, last choir tour, last prom… Senior year has tried everyone’s patience thanks to nine months of “lasts” set in the pressure-cooker of the college application process.
But hold that thought because as summer approaches, this one may be more crazy than lazy. Seniors have been pushed out the door of their high school and are irrevocably proceeding toward college with every passing day. Parents often deal with their stress by creating lists and deadlines for preparation. Students, in contrast, frequently find the most comfort in looking back, and refusing to even think of the “firsts” looming on their horizon. For some it will be the “first” time they have shared a room or bathroom with anyone, much less a stranger. ..”first” time they can’t have a bowl of cereal at midnight…”first” time they have to do their own laundry…”first” time they have to try out for a fraternity or sorority…
Having been through this with three children, I would advise that though the “lasts” were poignant, the “firsts” are much tougher both in anticipation and execution. So have a wonderful,crazy summer. Be patient and lazy whenever possible and give your senior an extra hug as often as they will tolerate.
PS Parents and siblings are going through their own “lasts” and “firsts” so seniors you too should be patient and pass out a few random hugs this summer.
The Evergreen State College: no grades, majors or departments
One should not be surprised that many students who apply to Evergreen State College, mascot an eight-foot clam named “Gooeyduck”, also apply to the University of California Santa Cruz, home to the Banana Slugs. However, in contrast to UC Santa Cruz, Evergreen State College lacks grades, majors and departments. Evergreen is known for interdisciplinary studies that explore the connections between disparate disciplines. The curriculum has five planning units: culture, text and language; environmental studies; expressive arts, scientific inquiry and society; and politics, behavior and change. Nearby Olympia, the state capital, is described as progressive and open-minded. Seattle is an hour away as is skiing, hiking and the beach. Evergreen State College is not for everyone, but no college is!
Pomona College: Palm Trees for Ivy, Where It All Started
The first of the Claremont Colleges founded in 1887 Pomona was modelled by its Massachusetts founders after east coast Ivy League liberal arts college. As the demand for colleges rose in early 1900’s its founder travelled to Oxford and elected to establish a framework for the creation of 10 colleges under the Claremont umbrella copying Oxford. Scripps was established in 1920’s focused primarily on humanities, though now boasts a strong biology program. Then came Claremont Mens College (now Claremont McKenna College) after World War II with an initial focus on economics and international relations–practical liberal arts education. Harvey Mudd in the 1950’s with the push to the moon is focused on science and engineering , and Pitzer College in 1960’s looking to ethnic diversity and other social causes. Obviously this is a gross simplification but it gives you an idea of the underlying philosophies behind each of the colleges which of course over the years have continued to expand and develop their programs of study to meet current needs.
Pomona is truly a residential liberal arts college. 95% of its students live on campus all four years (equal percentage graduates in four years). Unusual, 30% of freshman housing located on South campus are singles. Upperclassmen live four-five blocks away in what is termed North campus where students gather late nights for free Snacks which include everything from cookies to pizza. Dorms are nice and students report food is good.
Its a tight-knit community with 375 freshmen each year. Classes are small. Only one or two in four years will be as large as 50. Your first night on campus you will have a one-on-one social dinner with your advisor. Before classses begin as part of freshmen orientation students (groups of 12) select an adventure…canoeing at Hoover Dam, kayaking near Santa Barbara and more. With five colleges a lot is happening on or around campus to the point some students complain they don’t get off campus enough…but realize its their own fault. One Pomona tradition is the ski/ beach day when students ski at Big Bear in morning and go to Venice Beach in the afternoon…why do they do it? “Because we can.” In deference to east coast students (school has students from 48 states), the College sponsors a snow day and brings in artificial snow for students to play in until it melts (usually 2hrs max). Pomona tradition also dictates that students be thrown in fountains on their birthdays so the college makes a big effort to keep them clean even using chlorine.
Academics are “rigorous but not cut-throat”. True to its liberal arts roots the majority of a students classes will be outside their major. Pomona students are required to take five distribution classes which include foreign language requirement and PE. Students can take classes at any of the other Claremont colleges. For Pomona students that’s usually four or five over their four years. 50% of the students study abroad and for those particularly interested– either before or after there is a foreign language dorm with sections for French, Spanish, Chinese etc. The college provides a fluent speaker in each of the languages to facilitate activities and conversations. Students that do not live in this house may join a table at any meal and listen or speak their language of choice.
Besides being thrown in fountains or playing in the snow, Pomona students enjoy all the concerts, speakers, performing arts on campus, they can walk to Claremont village for a change of pace. Also big each year is the Pomona/Claremont football game…parking is not a problem.
The admissions officer at the information session bragged Pomona was recently voted the fifth “happiest college” in the country. I can’t guarantee that but if you are interested in a very personal, liberal arts education with only one snow day and lots of Palm trees consider Pomona College.
(PS He wouldn’t divulge the four that beat Pomona.)
It’s NOT Harder to Get Into Elite Colleges! “Statistical Mirage” ?
We’ve all seen report after report that it is increasingly difficult to gain acceptance at the country’s elite colleges (recognizing that the label of elite college is itself in constant flux). For example, the admission rate (percentage of applicants accepted) at Pomona in Claremont, California, was about 15% this spring; it was 38% twenty years ago. (reported in New York Times, 5/16/07).
Kevin Carey, a research and policy manager at Education Sector, insists it is not in reality harder to gain acceptance to elite colleges calling the alleged increased difficulty a “statistical mirage”. (See Dallas Morning News May 13, 2007) Carey explains that from a student’s perspective, the odds of getting into college are a function of two things: the number of qualified students who apply and the number of slots that colleges make available. Carey agrees that the number of prospective college students is growing. But he is quick to add that the number of spaces in elite colleges is increasing at a nearly identical rate. [This fact is critical to his theory and merits further substantiation.] But moving on…so what’s really happening?
Carey illustrates his theory with this example. Imagine 20 students, each of whom applies to five schools and gets into two. Now imagine if the same 20 students each apply to ten schools and again get into two. The outcome for the students is the same: two acceptance letters. But the “additional” schools in the second example will report lower admission rates, and the odds of admission will be reported as numerically lower, but in reality be the same!?
Somehow I feel like I just fell victim to a shell game. I would be interested to hear your thoughts. At a minimum, even if the outcome is same for this student, the increase in number of applicants must necessarily add uncertainty as to the qualifications of the other students applying thereby lowering any given student’s chance of acceptance by one of Carey’s two basic assumptions. Put another way, if there are more balls in play its more difficult to predict the outcome.
It certainly FEELS like more than a mirage! Ask high school seniors.
Waiting Lists: Lottery with No Guarantee of a Drawing
The papers have been filled with stories reporting students applying to ever- increasing numbers of colleges. It seemed only logical to those who consider such things (myself included) that students would therefore be declining acceptances in record numbers making the wait-lists all that more important to college admission offices. In fact, anticipating this eventuality some schools even increased the size of their wait-lists. “NOT!”
Instead, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (May 16, 2007) the percentages of students accepted to a school who ultimately decided to attend that school were unexpectedly high. Put simply, the predicted overlap of acceptances did not materialize. So the colleges are not looking for students to back-fill their freshman class numbers.
Further confounding predictions for wait-list acceptances comes from the fact that colleges have wait-lists not merely to assure a certain number of incoming freshmen, but even more important colleges use wait-lists to “balance” their freshman class. Therefore, even if you are lucky enough to be on a wait-list at a college that is admitting from the wait-list, you may not be what the college needs for a well-balanced freshman class. Most obvious example, the college is short of boys and you’re not. A good illustration of the unpredictability of wait-lists is Princeton. Last year Princeton accepted no students from its wait-list, this year Princeton accepted 30!
So what to do!? Select your favorite college from those who accepted you. Plan your housing and begin the mental and physical process of “going there to college”. If you can’t give up the dream of attending a school that has wait-listed you, remain on the wait-list fully aware that being on that wait-list is like buying a Mega Super Lotto ticket without even a guarantee of a drawing.
Remember…College: A Match to Be Made, Not a Prize to be Won. Perhaps the “Match” has already been made, but you’re hanging on in hopes of winning the “Prize”?
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