Do State Universities Still Truly Exist?
July 18th, 2016Many well-known state universities are increasing tuition by significant percentages, year after year; sadly, that’s not news. But few realize that these universities are also increasing out-of-state and international student enrollment to generate even more tuition dollars.
Why the need? Many state legislatures have pulled back funding, leaving universities to develop alternative revenue streams. In doing so, they are very often shutting doors to needy young citizens. Just ask us, and we’ll get on our soapbox about this terrible state of affairs.
Sometimes, state universities chase after non-residents to improve their enrolled student profile, targeting students from affluent and educated families who are more likely to bring the test scores that will help with precisely that. The University of Alabama, for example, has been luring non-resident students with strong test scores and grades by offering significant merit scholarships. Happily, we can say that our students enrolled there are well served.
Today’s link to a New York Times article highlights the downside for in-state residents who may be having more difficulty gaining admission, and the subsequent diminution of one enormously significant facet of the American dream. Ironically, there may be an upside for bright students who are interested in some of the state flagships playing this game, and whose families can afford out-of-state tuition.
Is this fair? Does this have to be a zero-sum game? Do public universities still exist as intended? Are all of the right questions even being asked yet? We welcome your thoughts.
Article published July7, 2016
Written by: Stephanie Saul
SACRAMENTO — Over three generations, the Michael family forged a deep bond with the University of California, dating back nearly 50 years to when Jay Dee Michael Sr. was the university system’s vice president and chief lobbyist.
Family members proudly displayed degrees from the campuses in Los Angeles, Davis, Berkeley and Santa Barbara. And when Mr. Michael died last year, his family asked that memorial donations go to a U.C. Davis institute. Recently, though, the relationship has soured, a victim of the economic forces buffeting public universities.
Read more at The New York Times >>Tagged: Admission decision, College
Taming college debt: Purdue’s savvy tuition plan(s)
July 5th, 2016According to the White House, nearly 70% of bachelor degree graduates take on college loan debt. This $1.2 trillion debt is ruining many recent graduates’ credit and preventing them from beginning the life they have been working towards. While many colleges are raising their tuition rates each and every year, Purdue University has taken an alternative approach.
Along with a tuition freeze that Purdue has adopted since 2012, they are now introducing a new concept to further help students pay back their debts. This program, called “Back a Boiler,” is an income-share agreement provided by the Purdue Research Foundation. Instead of borrowing from lenders with interest rates, students will agree to pay back a percentage of their income for nine years or less after graduation. This percentage will be based on the student’s income from their post-college job. The Chicago Tribune gives you a deeper understanding of what this program is about in the article posted below.
Article published May 11, 2016
This fall, Purdue University undergrads will welcome two things: their parents waving goodbye and their tuition bills frozen for the fourth straight year — with a fifth tuition freeze coming for undergrads in 2017-18. Purdue under efficiency-wise President Mitch Daniels is showing colleges across the nation how to control costs, restrain tuition increases and still provide a quality education. (And a Big Ten-derhearted shoutout here to the University of Illinois, which has frozen tuition two years in a row for new in-state undergraduates.)
Read more at Chicago Tribune >>Tagged: College, Financial aid
The Teenager With One Foot Out the Door
June 27th, 2016The test taking, application and essay writing, and acceptance waiting are over. Now one of the biggest transitions in a parent’s life is about to take place: you’ll soon be sending your child off to college or boarding school. Many parents want to make the most of their student’s remaining time at home, but your child may have other plans in mind.
This time can feel like you and your family are on an emotional rollercoaster, particularly for older teens heading off to college, but figuring out the psychology behind certain behaviors and how best to approach much needed conversations is important. Lisa Damour, a psychologist in Shaker Heights, Ohio, recently wrote an article about this very topic to help parents and students make this an enjoyable, rather than embittered, transition. We hope it will prove helpful in your household as excitement and apprehension build prior to the start of the next academic year!
Read more at New York Times >>Tagged: College, Personal characteristics
Minding the Gap
June 20th, 2016Taking a gap year, although still relatively rare in the US, is a more frequent topic of conversation since Malia Obama announced her plans to defer college enrollment. Some Shrop Ed students have asked us about the possibility, too, and we feel that as long as a student has a plan in mind for structuring the year productively, the gap year can be enormously beneficial. Deans of admission will want to know your plans when reviewing a request for enrollment deferral so if you’re considering the option, you’ll want to act fairly quickly to put all of the pieces together.
We invite you to read this article on the American Gap Association’s website, and let us know if we can help.
