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Transcript of What to Look for in
What to Look for in PLANNING FOR COLLEGE
Presented by
The Lutheran Educational Conference of North America
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Planning for College
• What do parents want for their sons and daughters?
• What do experts say about educational quality and effectiveness?
• What do employers value?
• Where are you most likely to find the best educational value?
What Do Parents Want?
Research shows that Lutheran parents like you hope their children graduate with:
• Solid career preparation
• Strong values
• Commitment to community
• Greater sense of faith
• Sense of purpose in life
What Do Experts Say?
The evidence shows that…learning outside of classes, especially in residential settings and extracurricular activities such as the arts, is vital. When we asked students to think of a specific, critical incident or moment that had changed them profoundly, four-fifths of them chose a situation or event outside of the classroom.
--- Harvard education professor Richard J. Light, Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds.
What Do Experts Say?
Our review indicates two persistent themes in the research literature on college effects. The first is the central role of other people in a student’s life, whether students or faculty, and the character of the learning environments they create…The second theme is the potency of the student’s effort and involvement in the academic and non academic systems of the institutions they attend.
---Ernest T. Pascarella and Patrick T. Terenzini, How College Affects Students
What Do Employers Value?
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the skills and traits most valued in job candidates include:
• Communication skills• Motivation/initiative• Teamwork skills• Leadership skills• Academic achievement
A Quality Education Provides…• Strong preparation in fundamental career skills
• A learning environment that extends beyond the classroom door
• Close relationships with faculty and other students who are also excited about learning
• Involvement in extracurricular activities that reinforce academic interests
• Integration of values in classroom learning
• Opportunities for spiritual growth
What to Look For
How do you know a quality education when you see it? Look for:
• Many small, discussion-oriented classes where students are expected to participate
• Most classes taught by professors rather than teaching assistants
• Class evaluation based on essay exams, written reports and student presentations rather than multiple choice tests
What to Look For
How do you know a quality education when you see it? Look for:
• Professors who are available outside of class, to mentor and advise students
• Most students involved in performing arts, intramural or varsity sports, campus organizations, faculty-directed independent study or research, internships, off-campus or international study programs
Where Can You Find Educational Quality?
An extensive, ongoing research study reveals significant differences in educational experiences – and in life outcomes:
• Phone survey conducted with college graduates from classes of 1958-93
• Lutheran graduates of Lutheran private colleges, and Lutheran graduates of flagship state universities
• Geographically balanced, random sample
Lutheran Colleges Create a Strong Learning Environment
• Close interaction with professors • Mentoring relationships with professors, coaches,
campus clergy and staff• Small, discussion-oriented classes • A safe campus community• Emphasis on developing personal values and
ethics• Opportunities for spiritual development
81%
33%
43%
54%
51%
36%
67% S
86% S
81% S
88% S
99% S
87% S
Majority of classes taught by professors
Many classes with less than 20 students
Faculty were interested in studentspersonally and academically **
Personal interaction with professors
Professors who challenged, but helpedyou meet challenge *
Professor was a mentor ***
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
Involvement With Faculty
Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . . (top-two box)* Q.2 How often did your college experience include the following? (top-two box)** Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following? (top-two box)*** Q. 4 Who, if anyone, did you meet in college who was a mentor or role model for you?
S = Significant difference
What Faculty Say About Their Own Institutions….
91.9
74.260.260.1
29.3 24.4
0102030405060708090
100
Faculty areinterested in
students
It is easy forstudents to seefaculty outside
of regularoffice hours
Faculty feelthat students
are wellprepared
academically
Lutheran collegesPublic universities
Most Grades Were Based On…
62%
13%
43%
37%
Essay examsor written
reports
Multiplechoice and
short answerquestions
LutheranCollegeLutherans
FlagshipPublicLutherans
Q.3 Would you say that most of your course grades were based on . . .
What Do Experts Say?
The relationship between the amount of writing for a course and students’ level of engagement is stronger than the relationship between students’ engagement and any other course characteristic.
-- Richard J. Light, Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds
58%
75%
62%
58%
50%
74% S
78% S
90% S
87% S
92% SThere was a sense of community amongstudents *
Interaction with other students whoshare your interests **
Interaction with students with similarvalues ***
Balance between academics andsocial/personal development**
Friendships developed from classroomexperiences ***
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
Involvement With Peers
* Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following? (top-two box)** Q.1 Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . .
(top-two box) *** Q. 2 How much did your college experience include the following? (top-two box)
S = Significant difference
40%
21%
41%
12%
77% S
90% S
88% S
74% S
Emphasis on personal values andethics
Opportunities for spiritualdevelopment
Involved in church or religiousactivities*
College helped integrate faith intoother aspects of life**
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
The Integration of Faith and Values Into the College Experience
Q.1A/1B Please tell me how much you personally benefited from your college offering . . . (top-two box)* Q.6a Were you involved in…? ** Q.12 How much do you agree or disagree with the following? (top-two box)
S = Significant difference
What Faculty Say About Priorities at Their Own Institutions…
80.4
59.650.8
34.5 36.122.9
0102030405060708090
To helpstudents
examine theirpersonal values
To developstudents'
leadershipability
To facilitatestudent
involvement incommunity
service
Lutheran collegesPublic universities
Lutheran Colleges Encourage Student Involvement
• Opportunities for independent study, faculty-directed research, internships, off-campus and international programs, tutoring
• Participation and leadership opportunities in athletics, music/theater, campus publications, student government, religious organizations
What Do Experts Say?
The evidence shows that…learning outside of classes, especially in residential settings and extracurricular activities such as the arts, is vital. When we asked students to think of a specific, critical incident or moment that had changed them profoundly, four-fifths of them chose a situation or event outside of the classroom.
--- Harvard education professor Richard J. Light, Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds.
Applied Learning Experiences
24%
36%
22%
39% S
41% S
51% S
No appliedlearning
experience
Off-campus orinternational
study
Internship
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
Q.5 While in college, did you participate in…?
S = Significant difference
Extracurricular Activities
47%
42%
17%
13%
44%
67% S
50% S
45% S
29% S
67% S
Volunteer/service activities
Academic clubs
Music/theater performances
Campus publications or studentgoverment
Had leadership role in anyextracurricular activity
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
Q.6a Were you involved in…? Q.6b Did you have a leadership role in…?
S = Significant difference
Lutheran Education Produces Positive Outcomes
• Career preparation: communication, teamwork, leadership and critical thinking skills
• Values: sense of purpose, strong moral principles, family and community concerns, church participation
• Equal to public university alumni in income and graduate/professional degrees
More Effective in Developing Professional Skills
54%
67%
69%
54%
72%
72% S
78% S
69% S
Speakingeffectively
Writingeffectively
Teamwork
LeadershipLutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)
S = Significant difference
69%
64%
44%
42%
57% S
63% S
Relating to people ofdifferent backgrounds
Placing problems in socialand historical perspective
Being politically or sociallyaware
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
More Effective in DevelopingInterpersonal Skills
S = Significant difference
Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)
72%
10%
66%
55%
40%
65% S
74% S
19% S
Raise a family
Be free to considerthe moral and ethical
side of decisions
Integrate faith orspirituality in your
life
Be well-offfinancially
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
Place Higher Value on Family, Ethical and Religious Concerns
S = Significant difference
Q.19 How important is it to you to. . .? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all important and 5=extremely important)
35%
42%
30%
36%
15%
26% S
43% S
78% SAppreciating Fine Arts*
Promote racial equality or othersocial justice issues
Contribute to your community
Affiliate with organizations thathelp the disadvantaged
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
Place Higher Value on Community Concerns
* Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (top-two box)
Q.19 How important is it to you to. . .? (rating a 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all important and 5=extremely important)
S = Significant difference
63%
84% SHaving asense of
purpose inlife
LutherancollegeLutherans
FlagshippublicLutherans
More Effective in Helping Students Develop a Sense of Purpose
S = Significant difference
Q.10 How effective was your college in helping you develop the following? (rating 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, where 1=not at all effective and 5=extremely effective)
What About the Cost?
A Lutheran college education is more affordable than you might think:
• Many families at all income levels receive financial aid
• Lutheran college students are much more likely to finish their education in four years – saving tuition and earning a salary sooner
Financing a College Education
64%
43%
56%
46%
37%
37%
Received ascholarship
Took outloans
Completelysatisfied with
quality ofeducation
LutheranCollegeLutherans
FlagshipPublicLutherans
Believe loans a good investment:
99%
Q. 7 (top box), 13, 14, 15
Sample Financial Aid Package
Family Situation: Four in household, one in collegeAdjusted gross income $68,748
Assets $ 416
Student income $4,838
Student assets $100
Cost, EFC and Need:Cost of attendance $21,786
Estimated Family
Contribution $10,227
NEED$11,559
Package:Merit Scholarship $2,500
Room and Board Grant$1,000
Need-based Grant $1,634
Lutheran Student Scholarship $1,000
State Grant $1,800
Stafford Loan $2,625
Student Employment $1,000
TOTAL $11,559
Are Much More Likely to Graduate in Four Years or Less
58%
86% S
Lutheran college Lutherans Flagship public Lutherans
S = Significant difference
Q.18 How many years did it take for you to complete your undergraduate degree?
An Investment in Educational Value that’s Well Worth the Price
According to the reports of college alumni, a higher proportion of Lutheran college graduates feel they:
• Were well prepared for their careers
• Developed moral and ethical principles to guide their actions
• Place a high priority on community involvement
• Developed a sense of purpose in life
Find Out For Yourself
You’re always welcome on Lutheran college campuses:
• Attend a concert, play or sports event• Contact the admissions office to arrange a tour or meet with
professors• Explore college web sites for academic program information
…or visit www.collegevalue.com to learn more about Lutheran college education