Beyond the (College) Brochure

Mary McGrath, a rising college senior at LIndenwood University (MO) comes up with more questions that helps students and parents better understand the college admissions process - and the risks of choosing financially unhealthy colleges.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

Summary

In this episode, Mary McGrath and Dr. Gary Stocker discuss college rankings, college admissions, online courses, indicators of financial distress in colleges, and the value of a college degree. They emphasize that college rankings are subjective and not necessarily indicative of a college's quality. They also highlight the importance of social experiences in college and the role of accrediting agencies in ensuring educational quality. Additionally, they discuss the admissions process and the factors colleges consider when admitting students. They conclude by discussing the potential financial benefits of a college degree.

keywords

college rankings, college admissions, online courses, financial distress, college degree

takeaways

• College rankings are subjective and should not be the sole factor in choosing a college.
• Social experiences and extracurricular activities are important aspects of the college experience.
• Accrediting agencies ensure educational quality but focus more on inputs than outputs.
• Colleges consider various factors, such as grades, extracurricular activities, and interviews, when admitting students.
• Taking online courses can be a flexible option, but it may limit social interactions.
• Indicators of financial distress in colleges include declining enrollment, decreasing tuition and fee revenue, and low admissions yield.
• A college degree does not guarantee a higher income, but it demonstrates persistence and can lead to better job opportunities.
• The choice of college major can impact future earning potential.

titles

• Pros and Cons of Online Courses
• Factors Considered in College Admissions

Sound Bites

• "The ranking services, while they try and promote that they are objective, in large part is just opinion based on what the people who do the surveys, who do the ranking publications do."
• "Colleges try and improve their rankings. What does it tell the consumer? The difference between 125 and 145 is nothing."
• "As long as you show some capability to breathe and have a heartbeat, in many cases, they're going to accept you."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

03:08
Factors Considered in College Admissions

06:33
The Importance of the Social Aspect of College

10:37
Indicators of a College's Financial Distress

17:10
The Relationship Between a College Degree and Future Income

18:49
Conclusion

 Here are the questions Gary answers for this week's episode.

1. Which college ranking publication is the best?
2. What college has the best 4-year graduation rate? The worst?
3. How does a college determine who to admit or reject?
4. What does the process look like after a college application is submitted?
5. What is an accrediting agency?
6. Can a student only take online courses in college?
7. What are the indicators of a college in distress?
8. Does a college degree guarantee a higher income?

Here are the questions from Mary for this week's podcast episode of 'Beyond the (College) Brochure.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

1. Are students and parents in denial when they have concerns about their college’s financial health?
2. Gary, in your ‘This Week in College Viability’ podcast, you regularly say: “let’s go into the data.” What does that mean?
3. Are college admission essays a big deal?
4. Can students and families get a refund on their tuition?
5. What does is mean when a school says they are a “liberal arts institution”?
6. What is tuitionfit.org?
7. What is an endowment?
8. What are some examples of podcasts or videos that students and families can access to guide them in the college-decision making process?

Mary asks Dr. Stocker for an update on the pending FAFSA Debacle

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

Here are the 8 questions for this week's 'Beyond the (College) Brochure' podcast:

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here. 

1. As I’m sure you’ve seen in the news, Vanderbilt University has reached $100,000 in attendance costs- do you think this was really necessary or this institution just raising the price because they are able to?
2. Is it common for colleges to mislead students and families with the “sticker price” of the school?
3. Can you explain all the components of the tuition bill? Are there any hidden fees?
4. Are there flexible payment plans available for tuition?
5. What are the primary characteristics that distinguish a “higher level” institution?
6. How does the availability of resources differ between colleges of different levels?
7. How does the teaching style differ between smaller classes and larger lecture-based classes?
8. Gary, can you give us an update on the status of the Fall 2024 FAFSA Debacle?

Here is a summary of the podcast.

This episode of the Beyond the College Brochure podcast discusses the increasing cost of higher education, particularly focusing on the rising tuition fees at prestigious universities like Vanderbilt.

• College Costs: The hosts explore the concept of "sticker price" versus actual cost, emphasizing the importance of financial aid and scholarships in reducing the overall burden.
• College Value: The discussion delves into the factors that differentiate higher-priced institutions from lower-priced ones, such as reputation, resources, and class sizes.
• College Industry Challenges: The podcast highlights the financial struggles faced by many colleges, including the potential for closures due to declining enrollment and rising costs.
• Student Advice: The hosts offer advice to students and parents on navigating the college application process, including the importance of understanding financial aid packages and considering the overall value of a college education.

Overall, the podcast provides insights into the complexities of college affordability and encourages listeners to be informed consumers when making higher education decisions.

Key Points:

• College tuition costs are rising rapidly.
• Financial aid and scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of college.
• The perceived value of a college often influences its cost.
• Many colleges are facing financial challenges, which could lead to closures.
• Students and parents should carefully evaluate college options based on both cost and value.

Mary focuses on some important questions about a college's responsibility to share information with faculty and students.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

1. Is it common for colleges that are not in any financial distress/at risk of closure to cut certain majors and/or programs?
2. Does a college closure have a negative effect on a recent graduate from that school? (such as finding a job)
3. Are faculty and staff more informed about the state of college’s financial situation than students and prospective students?
4. Does a school’s acceptance rate and scholarships/grants become less competitive when the school is in financial trouble?
5. Are college closures more common in a certain region of the country?
6. How often does a college revise its tuition and financial aid offerings?
7. Is it common for colleges to deceive students and families about its financial state?
8. How can students a families trust that the information a college is giving them is correct?

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Mary has these questions for Gary from student and their families this week.

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Submit your questions to [email protected]

1. How important are rankings versus fit when deciding on a college?
2. How does the college support students in managing their finances and budgeting?
3. Are there provisions for appealing financial aid decisions, and what is the process?
4. What are the potential hidden costs beyond tuition and fees that students and families should consider?
5. What’s the biggest pro and biggest con to attending a private institution rather than a public one?
6. What steps does the college take to ensure that students can complete their degrees in the event of program changes or closures?
7. Does a college closure affect the difficulty of transfers a student’s credits to another institution?
8. How does the college communicate with students and families about financial challenges or potential closures?

This week rising college senior Mary McGrath hits Gary with some tougher questions.  Of course, each question is addressed to students and their families.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

1) How are colleges using alternative revenue streams (e.g., online courses, partnerships with industry) to improve financial health?

2) How do colleges decide which academic programs to expand, maintain, or cut?

3) What factors might influence a college’s decision to increase/decrease its tuition?

4) How do colleges balance tuition increases with the need to remain affordable for students and families?

5) Are colleges adapting their financial strategies in response to demographic shifts such as declining high school graduates or changes in student demographics?

6) Are there specific support systems in place for faculty and staff in the event of a sudden college closure?

7) Do college closures have any economic impact on the communities they reside in?

8) Is there a specific amount of time that institutions are required to give students and faculty before officially closing?

Rising college senior student-athlete Mary McGrath continues to ask the tough college finance questions from the perspective of students and their families.

This week Mary asks about:

1.  The trend in short-notice college closures
2.  How to determine if a major or program at a college is at risk of being cut.
3.  Her research shows that many believe colleges shouldn't be run as a business.  Don't miss Gary's response on that one.
4.  Mary also challenges Gary on his belief that college financial catastrophe is just around the corner.
5.   Finally, Gary is asked if college is a good thing.  You might be surprised at his passionate response.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

In this episode, here are some of the questions Mary asks.
1. What is going on with the FAFSA debacle?

2. How many colleges will close in the next 6 months?

3.  What types of colleges are at risk for closing?

4.  What can students and their families do to limit their risk of choosing a college that might close?

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

Mary asks Dr. Stocker about the history of College Viability and how it can help students and their families make the best possible college decisions while considering the financial health, enrollment, graduation rates and much more.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.