1. Decisions…decisions… Options and Opportunities in Higher Education: Public? Private? Liberal Arts? Traditional? College? University? Technical? Specialty? Community?
2. Students have to make many decisions before the “National Decision Date” of May 1st such as…. What type of school do I want to attend?
3. Make an informed decision.Ask questions. Find the answer.Don’t make assumptions.Things may not be what they seem. Things change over time and from culture to culture.
4. Define Your TermsIs there a difference between a college and a university? University: Undergraduate and postgraduate educational institution College: Institution of higher learning University or school division Part of a university It is a matter of semantics.
5. What is liberal arts? A liberal arts school is not necessarily “liberal.” (broad minded; progressive politically or socially) A liberal arts school is not necessarily “artistic.” (good at art; creating beautiful things) A liberal arts college may be part of a larger university or it may exist and be fully accredited on its own.
6. Liberal arts is… An education focusing on a broad base of knowledge, with an emphasis in critical and creative thinking skills including reasoning and judgment and the communication of ideas.
7. A liberal arts college… Usually requires a broad range of classes (core curriculum) to be taken during the student’s first two years. Subjects may include literature, philosophy, history, language, mathematics, humanities, and social and natural sciences. May include pre-professional programs such as pre-law or pre-med. The curriculum is intended to provide the student with the tools to pursue a variety of careers as well further education.
8. One of the GOALS of a liberal arts education is to systematically expose the student to a number of fields so that he can experientially discover his passions and abilities. When a person enjoys what he is doing, he can better serve the world. Ultimately, a student will focus on one or more fields and declare one or more “majors” and/or “minors.” Additional courses will be taken in these fields so that the student develops expertise.
9. “Because of the pace of technological and social change, it no longer makes sense to devote four years of higher education entirely to specific skills. Post-secondary education should help students discover what they love to do, to get better at it, and to develop the ability to continue learning so they become agents of change, not victims of it.” Michael Roth President, Wesleyan College
10. Within a UNIVERSITY there may be a college of liberal arts as well as more traditional colleges (parts of a university) that focus on specific careers such as business, engineering, architecture, journalism, fine arts, and health sciences. A university may also have a set number of required courses (core curriculum), and students will ultimately declare “majors” or “minors.”
11. If a student knows what he wants to study when he enters a post-secondary institution… during the admissions process, he may be asked to “declare a major” in order to gain admission to a particular college (health, business, etc.) or program as well as the university itself. Some universities do this in order to avoid overcrowding in their most popular majors.
12. -Not every university or college requires a student to “declare a major” before admission. -Students who enter a school and don’t know what they want to study may enter as an “undeclared major.” During their freshman and sophomore years, they may want to take a variety of courses in order to determine their field(s) of interest. -On the other hand, some schools will not allow students admission to a particular program, major, or college until the student has successfully demonstrated his competence in lower division courses. Points to Remember
13. Points to Remember -Majors can usually be changed once a student enters a university. Admission to a major may depend on whether or not there is room within the department as well as other competitive factors. More than half of college students change their majors—an average of four times. This is permissible, but it may result in the student spending more than four years in a post-secondary school. -The most recent statistics indicate that the four-year graduation rate at PUBLIC institutions is 32%. The average four-year graduation rate at PRIVATE institutions is 54%.
14. Public or Private? Universities and liberal arts colleges may be public or private. Public Private Funded partially by local and/or state governments Generally less expensive price tag, particularly for in-state residents Generally more students and larger classes Primarily funded by tuition and endowments Generally more expensive price tag Generally offers more financial aid and discounts to attractive applicants Usually smaller
15. Public or Private? Differences Public Private Usually fewer students and smaller classes Usually more institutional financial aid May be undergraduate students only More classes usually taught by full professors Usually more students and larger classes Usually more majors Usually less expensive Usually both undergraduate and post-graduate students Classes more frequently taught by graduate students or adjuncts
16. Public or Private? Similarities Public Private Generally culminates in a four-year Bachelors Degree Generally has some required classes. The number of classes and types of requirements may vary. Some may have two-year programs Extremely varied Generally culminates in a four-year Bachelors Degree Generally has some required classes. The number of classes and types of requirements may vary. Some may have two-year programs Extremely varied
17. Other Educational Options Variety Within Variety +Technical -2 or 4-year program -Generally math, science, or engineering focus -Practical skills -Associates or Bachelors Degree +Specialty -Program lengths and outcomes vary -Career oriented, usually in the arts +Community -Usually a 2-year program -Relatively inexpensive -Vocational training and/or core classes -Many transfer to a 4-year program - Associates Degree +Commercial -Program length varies -Certification in career field
18. More Options Available at many schools Multiple majors and/or minors Varying lengths of semesters and programs Internships and practical skills Programs that provide automatic matriculation and/or guaranteed admission into graduate studies Full time or part time On line classes Huge course selection Unique programs Design your own major and minor Interdisciplinary studies
19. What does all this mean? -You have many OPTIONS and OPPORTUNITIES. -Carefully study your options to ensure that you make an appropriate decision. -Determine what YOUNEED in order to have a successful educational experience. Develop college criteria based on those needs. -Higher education is not just about finding a great school or a great program. Higher education is about finding a “GREAT FIT.”
20. For more information about options and opportunities in higher education, please contact: College Advising and Planning Services (505) 918-7669 collegeadvisingandplanning.com glendadurano@gmail.com
