choosing and getting into college

[Aquila]

I teach at a public, regional, comprehensive university, just so you know my biases.

When I ask, most of my students tell me that they came to my school because 1) They really liked the beautiful campus when they visited; 2) It has a good regional reputation; 3) People seemed friendly when they came on the tour.

The reputation thing is a bit vague, but okay. The beautiful campus and friendly folks definitely make things more comfortable.

What they don't think about: the difference between a liberal arts, tech, or ag school. Most don't know what the liberal arts are, though that's how we bill ourselves.

Most are worried about how they're going to make a living after college, and trying to figure out just the right major to get into the right career. That's understandable, but research shows that the major isn't as important to future employers as the skills the student develops. (You can find information about the liberal arts and such at the AAC&U website--Association of American Colleges and Universities) Most students change majors several times, and most adults change careers several times, so finding the perfect major to set up a career is less important than developing life/professional skills.

So that's something to look at, maybe?

One other thought: have you ever met a college grad who didn't pretty much think his/her experience was wonderful? I've taught at several very different colleges, and at every one, most students loved the experience they were having. The few who didn't transfered.

I guess I'd second the suggestions for college visits to help make his decision. (I'm also a big fan of public schools for all sorts of reasons.) Wish him luck with his decision!

[Ana]

Around here, not many go to the state schools. It's not a good thing, but it's just the way it is.

Hm, I hadn't thought about the government funding variation thing in other states (as well as culture, etc). I thought most states had state schools which people like to attend and regard well I guess I was lucky

It reminds me of the perceptions we often have of others (i.e. that they are like us) until we learn otherwise

I will have to keep my mind open about these different perspectives

[shootingstar]

Interesting to read of American concerns/comparisons on publicly funded state universities vs. 'privately' funded ..

Accredited universities in Canada do receive some funding, but student still has to find some money to pay for tuition, etc. Depending on the faculty/subject discipline, there are top-notch universities..which whoa, received some public funding.

Better to focus on depth/quality of instructors, curriculum, support resources on campus, etc.

University/college education is what the student is motivated to get out of their education while they are still in school, not just after graduation.

Reminds me of an elective course I took in my final undergraduate 4th year on South AFrican history. I only showed up for lectures 3 times during the whole 4 months. But I poured my energy and time on a major paper for topic I selected...which accounted for 85% of the mark... I aced the course because I became so interested in the research topic for paper itself. ( on anti-apartheid leader who died under torture in prison)

[Crankin]

Yes, Ana, there is a huge difference in the perceptions people have of colleges, depending where you live. The reason why MA has this problem is that we are home to the "World's Greatest University" and near other Ivy League schools. Then there's the other 200 very selective private colleges. In a nutshell, the competition is fierce. The U Mass campuses are seen as OK, but sort of as the place to go to save money if you want to. The state colleges are pretty much seen as inferior in the towns around Boston. Well, my son went to U Mass Amherst after attending a private college about 5 miles away for a year; he got a great education, studied in Italy, is bilingual, and is still working at the job he got through his internship in college. I took many courses for salary advancement at one of the state colleges. It was OK...
When I lived in Florida, everyone went to one of the state schools and quite a few went to community college first. In Arizona it was the same, only there's not as many universities (I think the rivalry between ASU and U of A is silly. They are both good schools). But, in AZ, it seems like not many kids leave the state to go to school and a lot more of them live at home while attending.
Just my rambling thoughts.

[Flur]

+1 on the perceptions difference in the US. As Ana mentioned, Michigan has great state schools. When I was in high school, if you were smart and wanted to be a doctor or lawyer or some other professional, it was assumed you'd go to U of M. Why look anywhere else when you have a top 50 school in-state? If you didn't like U of M for some reason or wanted to go into agriculture you'd go to Michigan State, which was also a highly-respected school. The in-state small private schools were good, but they weren't as good as U of M, so if you chose to go to one people would ask you why you didn't want to go to U of M. Even with me going out-of-state people would ask me why, when I could have gone to U of M. It seemed silly to them.

But then I got out to NJ and people seemed to frown on Rutgers and other state schools as a last resort if you didn't get into an ivy or a baby ivy. But my friends that went to Rutgers are all really successful, and happy with their college experience.

[Kimmyt]

Hmm, interesting about Rutgers. I never have heard that school disparaged (other than maybe location?), but I'm from PA. I know lots of people that went to state schools here, small and large, and were quite happy. Our PA state schools have a very good reputation as teaching colleges, and my brother went to a small state uni that is known for it's art dept for graphic design. I maybe know 1 or 2 people that went to private colleges, in fact both of them went to ivies.

I personally went to a state school, my perception (maybe because of my blue collar family upbringing) was that all kids went to state schools unless they were 'well off' or really really smart. I'm talking full scholarship smart.

I'm also curious what a 'baby ivy' is?

[Crankin]

Amherst, Williams, Bates, Middlebury, Claremont, Tufts, Brandeis....

A lot more, too.