The job market for college grads is not projected to be a positive one for the classes of 2010 and 2011.  Find out what you can do NOW to enter the job market poised for success. Ideal for parents and recent grads.

Grading on the curves

This is a humorous and mildly impertinent piece on how unhelpful college rankings can be. In this season where every few days another ranking list is published, it’s good to keep perspective on what’s important. No, it’s not how available free parking is on campus – it’s how well the college meets and matches the applicants talents and interests.

Drexel U. Brings On a New Wave of Applicants

Over the next few months, select high school seniors will be recieving “V.I.P. Applications” from colleges encouraging them, through a simplified process, to apply to their institutions. Colleges send out V.I.P applications to those students whose SAT scores fall within a certain range as a way of increasing their applicant pool as well as intentionally raising the average SAT scores of their applicants. Both these moves make colleges appear more selective. ... more >>

Every year, IECA (the Independent Educational Consultants Association) polls its member consultants to ask them what they have observed to be the trends in college admissions. After the data is collected, the list of The Top 10 Things Colleges are Looking for in Their Applications is published. Annually, without exception, the most important piece of an student’s application is their transcript – how well have they done, and how challenging has their course load been. Further down ... more >>

Yesterday, the Common Application became available on line! Accepted by the vast majority of colleges in the U.S., the common application has, for many students, streamlined the application process. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Many colleges will also ask for supplemental materials to be completed. these supplements can ask for as little additional information as a few pieces of data, or can be as involved as asking the applicant how they plan to contribute ... more >>

Getting in to med school without hard sciences

Mount Sinai medical school accepts a small percentage of applicants who have not taken organic chemistry, physics, or the dreaded MCATS each year, finding that those who majored in the humanities as undergrads actually make more sensitive doctors. It’s too soon to know if more medical schools will head in this direction, but given the wide range of skills and expertise demanded of doctors, it’s nice to know that they’re not all ... more >>

7 Signs of Successful Study Abroad Programs

No question – more colleges are offering more study abroad opportunities. Some colleges are even requiring it. However, if you’re serious about taking advantage of this tremendous opportunity, be sure to spend some time in the Study Abroad Office asking these hard questions. The more you know, the more successful and rewarding your experience abroad will be.

Allison visits New England College, Colby-Sawyer College, and Dartmouth College.

Empty Nest 101

Maybe its the helicopter parent phenomenon, or maybe its that parents are more savvy consumers. Or perhaps it’s because the price tag on a college education is soaring and parents want to know what their child is getting for their tuition dollars. But whatever the reason, college orientation programs designed for the parents of incoming freshman are gaining in popularity.

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?