It's that time of year again. Our youngest son will be a senior so we are going round colleges in Minnesota, touring some for the third time. I didn't expect to learn anything new, but was curious to see how each school would sell itself to us, and what might catch my son's eye.
I have no doubt that each college will provide an excellent education, and all their fees are similarly out of reach, but each's presentation was quite different; they were distinguishing themselves in different ways.
At college #1 we were welcomed by their mascot, and asked to pose for a picture before being treated to coffee and rolls. Much of the presentation was student led, not always the most polished, with huge emphasis on all the extra activities they were involved in on campus. We were also given free lunch tickets, allowing us to dine with the hoards of school children taking part in tennis, basketball and swim camps. There was so much going on, and their message was that any student here leads a full, fun-packed student life... or at the very least you will be getting your money's worth, all $55,000!
Feeling slightly full, of fun and free food, we left the friendly lion behind and went on to visit college #2. This campus reeked of prestige, and money. We walked through quiet landscaped grounds with wandering paths past shady benches. Although we were told there were camps going on, we didn't see any students, and were not invited to eat at the cafeteria. Instead we toured the chapel and large sports complex before being seated together in an auditorium. I was expecting a talk on financial aide, but got instead a bizarre 45 minute lecture on neuroscience and addiction. I am sure all of the visiting families were wondering "why?" and most wanted to walk out, but were too polite to.
This confusing presentation was supposed to give us a 'classroom experience'. Unfortunately it was over our heads, and not at all appropriate for a visiting student or their parents. But it helped to reinforce the school's image of being academically proud... meaning that you should feel lucky to be accepted here, and feel lucky enough to pay $55,000! Here you will be among the brightest and the best, and the most affluent. So we loaded up with more free snacks, found we couldn't afford anything in the gift shop even with our 20% off coupon, and headed off to college #3.
It was immediately obvious that this school was cheaper and more 'low key'. There was no coffee or snacks provided as a welcome. I felt our tour guide could have done with some coffee, as he was so laid back not even our constant teasing about the lame college mascot phased him. Then we sat down to hear the prepared presentation. As an educator I finally heard what I was hoping to hear. Staff dressed in matching polo shirts described what and how students learn through their variety of courses, teaching methods and opportunities in and outside the classroom. The emphasis here was on students being able to choose to study what they were passionate about, and experiment in areas they had never tried before. And the school was set up to make each student succeed, and with this academic success there would come confidence and a feeling of achievement to carry them through the tough times.
I left on a high, realizing that if I was to choose a school, it would be that one. My son, however, was not impressed. "They didn't have a climbing wall," was his take on it. The rest of my party were similarly unimpressed with the slightly industrial buildings and the lack of free coffee. It made me want to say, "Can't we just cut the crap, and talk about education?"
Obviously not. The easy answer to my question is, "You can just talk education if you want, but you will be talking to yourself."
All educational institutions these days have more than one agenda. Apart from creating an environment that inspires learning, they must find some other way to distinguish themselves in order to survive. College #1 was full of sports and extra curricular activities, good food and friendly staff. College #2 was working on its high and mighty image, and it had a rock wall! It prided itself in having the best music program, facilities and suggested you could climb higher here than at other schools. College #3 had a subdued confidence in its ability to inspire learning and... oh, not much else. And that is why my son won't be choosing #3.
Right now my youngest is in doubt as to where, or if, he will be attending school in the fall of 2018. If he does, I have a feeling it will have a rock wall, good food and a nice dorm. It won't really matter in the end, as long as he has taken the time to figure that out for himself.
One thing I figured out is what he is looking for and what his parents are looking for. If it were us, I would have re-titled this blog, "Touring Colleges for... Free Food?"
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