Sewanee: The University of the South

Because it's so close to home, I think some students overlook Sewanee, but on a recent visit there, I was reminded just how outstanding this liberal arts college is.  Widely known for it's English department (you can now also earn a certificate in creative writing), Sewanee is also a wonderful place to study environmental and sustainability issues.  In fact, if you are interested in environmental biology or chemistry, environmental journalism, or the environment as it relates to the arts and humanities (you could take a course in geology and literature called "Walking the Land"), this would be a wonderful college for you to consider.  Also new is their Pre-Business program that allows you to earn a degree in the liberal arts with a business minor.  The Babson Center for Global Commere provides summer scholarships to leading business schools, support for business and social entrepreneuship internships, and support from a long line of Sewanee alumni and other business leaders.

From languages to theater to the natural resources to the Green House (a "green" dorm), we were very impressed with all that Sewanee has to offer.  And if you have been reading the news lately, you know that they have reduced their tuition for next year by ten percent!  We encourage you to consider the possibilities!

Top Ten Fastest Growing Jobs

Have you ever thought about being a physician's assistant or a home health aid? How about a biomedical engineer or a skin care specialist?  These are only a few of the fastest growing careers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Most of the top ten jobs are in health care, financial services, or technology, but if you look beyond the top ten, there are some other possibilitites too.

http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_103.htm

What's A Business Degree Worth?

The New York Times recently published an interesting article on business schools.  Check it out for yourself.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/education/edlife/edl-17business-t.html?_r=1

Is a college loan a "good" debt?

With more and more students going into debt in order to attend the college of their choice, there is some debate over whether a student loan is a "good" debt or a bad one.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/education/12college.html?_r=1&ref=education

The New Business of College Admissions

College admissions is always changing, but in some ways, it's getting harder and harder to predict the outcomes.  Here is a thoughful and thought-provoking summary of some of the ways the admissions world is different than it used to be.

http://www.examiner.com/college-admissions-in-washington-dc/the-new-business-of-college-admissions

Facebook Posts and College Admissions

Some good advice about the things you post on facebook and the college admissions process:

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-experts/2011/04/06/can-facebook-posts-lead-to-college-rejections?s_cid=rss:college-admissions-experts:can-facebook-posts-lead-to-college-rejections

Selective College Get Even More Selective???

But wait, there's good news!  If you'll read the entire post, you'll see that this only applies to a very small number of schools.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/college_bound/2011/04/selective_colleges_even_more_selective_this_year.html

The Great College Road Trip

If you're preparing to embark on a college road trip this summer, here's a pretty good article from the latest edition of Newsweek magazine. 

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/04/03/the-great-college-road-trip.html

Rhodes College

Not too far away from Chattanooga is a wonderful liberal arts college...Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.  The academic programs at Rhodes are strong, and GPS alums give it high marks in the sciences (especially biology), English, and international studies among other things.  Students choose between two sequences knows as Search and Life (you'll have to look the details up for yourself), and all students must demonstrate proficiency in 12 areas that form the foundation of the liberal arts.  It's quiet an education!  There are also plenty of internship possibilities (think St. Jude's Hospital, Morgan Keegan, Fed Ex among others).  A high percentage of Rhodes students study abroad, and they have a strong Division III athletic program.  And, athletes also participate in study abroad, so you can do both!

Parents often worry about Memphis, but after spending quite a bit of time exploring the city, the area surrounding the campus, and talking to GPS alums now attending Rhodes, I wouldn't hesitate to send my own daughter there.  Our girls feel very safe and are confident about the future that lies ahead!

Dickinson College

Recently I had the opportunity to visit beautiful Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Home to over 2,000 students, the college is an easy drive from the capital, Harrisburg, and Carlisle is a lovely historic town with some very cool shops and restaurants.  This is an outstanding liberal arts college, with terrific programs in English, political science, history, and more.  More than anything however, I was bowled over by the school's commitment to global education and sustainability.  International business is strong, study abroad is immensely popular, the school's farm provides food for the dining hall...students are simply focused on a wider world, and that makes Dickinson feel larger than it is. Philadelphia, D.C., Baltimore, and New York are also just a train ride away.

If you're willing to consider an outstanding college outside the southeast, I encourage you to see it for yourself.  You'll have to see it to understand what I'm talking about.