Want to know that one question you should be asking colleges to help you determine where to make an investment in your education?
HOW MANY OF YOUR STUDENTS GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS AND WHAT IS YOUR PLACEMENT RATE?
You are making an investment in YOU, Inc. and you want to know is this a wise investment and what will your return on that investment be. As the cost of education continues to increase it becomes even more imperative that you select an institution that will provide you a robust education in four years. The Department of Education states that only 38% of the students entering public institutions will graduate in four years. People will talk about six year graduation rates but the fact is that private colleges graduate students at twice the percentage of state institutions.
At Wartburg College I am proud to say that of all our graduates 90% of them completed their degree in four years or less. The students do so without sacrificing internships, study abroad or participation in co-curricular activities.
So is graduting in four years with a robust educational experience a wise investment? I think so!
Over 90% of our graduates, six months after graduation will either have secured a job or be in graduate school. So if your goal of receiving an undergraduate degree is to secure a job or be admitted to graduate school then mission accomplished at Wartburg College!
I encourage you to ask these two questions on your college visits. In addition make sure you visit the Department of Education web site to determine the graduation and placement rates at the institutions you are considering.
An all too common response to many of these questions are, "yes we have study abroad but it may delay your graduation", "we encourage you to do an internship but it might delay your graduation". There are institutions where you can get the complete education you are seeking in four years!
Investors want to know if their investment will reap dividends. Make sure you ask these two questions before you make the most important investment of your life, a college education!
Monday, November 29, 2010
LIVING ON CAMPUS
You know the old saying "you learn as much outside the classroom as you do in it"?
Well that statement carries a tremendous amount of truth and don't let the current economic climate reduce your overall college learning experience. I understand and respect that families believe they will save money by living at home or off campus. Over 25 years of higher education experience has only reinforced my belief that the on-campus experience is critical to the maturation of the student and makes the graduate more marketable.
College campuses by nature are diverse and living on campus exposes most students to individuals from places and cultures they have never experienced previously. Since a majority of students have single bedrooms and bathrooms at home this may be the first opportunity to live with someone else. We live in a world today that requires relationship building, communication and collaboration skills. I know personally I gained a great deal of experience from the lessons I learned in dealing with a variety of roommates. You learn to work out your differences, compromise on decisions and gain valuable knowledge from someone who is not like you.
I was one of those students who convinced my parents that living off campus would be cheaper, WRONG! I spent just as much money living off campus as I did on campus and didn't have the convenience of someone else cooking my meals and cleaning my room. I strongly encourage families to create a budget sheet and determine for sure if things will really be less expensive.
Finally, and the most important reason to live on campus is that statistics show that students who live on campus do better academically than those who live off campus. Becoming part of the campus you decide to attend is an important factor in student success. Although parents don't like to hear these words, an important response is when students refer to "going home" as going back to college. No one will ever replace mom and dad but these words signify that the student has successfully maneuvered their college experience.
Well that statement carries a tremendous amount of truth and don't let the current economic climate reduce your overall college learning experience. I understand and respect that families believe they will save money by living at home or off campus. Over 25 years of higher education experience has only reinforced my belief that the on-campus experience is critical to the maturation of the student and makes the graduate more marketable.
College campuses by nature are diverse and living on campus exposes most students to individuals from places and cultures they have never experienced previously. Since a majority of students have single bedrooms and bathrooms at home this may be the first opportunity to live with someone else. We live in a world today that requires relationship building, communication and collaboration skills. I know personally I gained a great deal of experience from the lessons I learned in dealing with a variety of roommates. You learn to work out your differences, compromise on decisions and gain valuable knowledge from someone who is not like you.
I was one of those students who convinced my parents that living off campus would be cheaper, WRONG! I spent just as much money living off campus as I did on campus and didn't have the convenience of someone else cooking my meals and cleaning my room. I strongly encourage families to create a budget sheet and determine for sure if things will really be less expensive.
Finally, and the most important reason to live on campus is that statistics show that students who live on campus do better academically than those who live off campus. Becoming part of the campus you decide to attend is an important factor in student success. Although parents don't like to hear these words, an important response is when students refer to "going home" as going back to college. No one will ever replace mom and dad but these words signify that the student has successfully maneuvered their college experience.
I AM A SENIOR AND WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING?
Congratulations on making it to the half-way point of your senior year!
I know you have been busy getting the final year started off on the right foot! Hopefully you have already filled out your college admission applications and have been accepted to your preferred colleges! If you haven't applied yet to any colleges then the time is NOW! Here at Wartburg College the application process is all online and easy to complete!
Just visit www.wartburg.edu/apply to fill out the application and start your college TODAY!
The deadlines that colleges provide you are for a reason so please pay attention to them. There are advantages to being first in line. Make sure you meet all of the required dates to insure first choice housing and an early class registration day.
Todd's Tidbit's:
Apply in the fall of your senior year.
Get a recommendation from a core class teacher.
Have your high school send your transcripts.
Fill out the deposit/housing card early.
Sign up for Student Orientation And Registration day (SOAR)
Relax and enjoy your summer until classes begin in early September 2011!
I know you have been busy getting the final year started off on the right foot! Hopefully you have already filled out your college admission applications and have been accepted to your preferred colleges! If you haven't applied yet to any colleges then the time is NOW! Here at Wartburg College the application process is all online and easy to complete!
Just visit www.wartburg.edu/apply to fill out the application and start your college TODAY!
The deadlines that colleges provide you are for a reason so please pay attention to them. There are advantages to being first in line. Make sure you meet all of the required dates to insure first choice housing and an early class registration day.
Todd's Tidbit's:
Apply in the fall of your senior year.
Get a recommendation from a core class teacher.
Have your high school send your transcripts.
Fill out the deposit/housing card early.
Sign up for Student Orientation And Registration day (SOAR)
Relax and enjoy your summer until classes begin in early September 2011!
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