I thought it was tough to get into college back in 1991. For kids who are in the thick of the college admissions process in 2009, the reality is much tougher. There are tremendous pressures on both sides of the student/institution relationship.
On one hand, the college/university is dealing with plummeting endowments thanks to the market meltdowns. On the other hand, the applicant is dealing with family circumstances strained by the same meltdown, plus record numbers in the applicant pools.
I am encouraged by steps that colleges are making to help. I have read newsletters of dramatic cost-savings steps of many institutions, and am very proud of my alma mater, Vassar College, which has a need-blind admissions policy and which continues to put great emphasis on funding financial aid. This has actually made it one of the best values in the nation for liberal arts colleges.
As in business, schools must continue to make tough choices, focus on value, and provide in the best ways that they can for their customers. This is more critical than ever when our nation needs to give its young people access to the finest educations possible.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment