Student Athletic Training Conference

For those of you who have considered a career in physical therapy, athletic training, or other related sports medicine careers, Vanderbilt Sports Medicine is offering a two day conference for high school students June 2-3.  For more information and on-line registration, visit:  http://www.vanderbilthealth.com/orthopaedics/%2028160

Can you measure what you learn in college?

Students have always been accustomed to taking standardized tests (think the ERB, SAT, ACT, TCAP), but should colleges also administer similar tests in order to find out how their students are doing?  And what should those tests measure? Content? Critical thinking skills?  You may be surprised to discover that some schools already give these exams to a small sample of their students, although they don't all make those scores public.

It might sound like a sensible idea, but there are numerous questions.  Will professors start teaching to the test? What role does the student's own motivation play in their learning? What do you do about the wildly different ability levels of entering students?  Who decides what you should know before you graduate?

Read the comments at the end of the article too.  They make some good points.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/education/trying-to-find-a-measure-for-how-well-colleges-do.html?ref=education

Sometimes it's just a gut feeling.

Choosing where to go to college next year may be one of the most difficult decisions you ever had to make, but sometimes it's a good idea to simply listen to your gut.  Here's one student's explanation of how she made her college decision.

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/the-envelope-please-abigail-hansen-2/?ref=education

The College Adventures of Mrs. Goldbach and Ms. McCarter, Part II

The easiest way to best explain the feel of Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas (30 miles from Little Rock), is to share a quote from a current freshman: "Hendrix has already made me a better person, period. I would have judged and written off a lot of people I now call my friend if I hadn't come here. After years of prep school elitism and homogeny, I am now appreciating the lack of stereotypes and the non-judgmental openness that characterizes the Hendrix community. In high school, I had a lot of restrictions that made me feel I had to act and look a certain way. Hendrix is allowing me to develop into my true self -- and I discover daily who that is!"

Hendrix prides itself on doing things a bit differently, left of center, and seeks students who want to be challenged, academicallly and socially. They accomplish this goal, in large part, through their unique Odyssey Program which distinguishes Hendrix from other selective liberal arts colleges. All 1500 undergrads must participate in this engaged learning program in at least three areas: Artistic Creativity, Global Awareness, Professional and Leadership Development, Service to the World, Undergraduate Research and Special Projects. Students gain disciplinary confidence and identifiable experiences by overseeing and owning their education.

Student organizations are extremely varied and often quirky, including clubs that support sword fighting, bee keeping, and skeptisim, as well as Heifer International, feminism and English tea. If you are looking for a place that is going to push you out of your comfort zone, in an idyllic campus setting, Hendrix is well worth researching. Don't be deterred by its location in Arkansas; the random group of students I talked with were from Denver, Philadelphia, Peachtree City, Ashville and Miami, and they chose Hendrix over Elon, UNC Chapel Hill, Bucknell, Pitzer and Davidson.

How hard is it for girls to get into college?

We don't believe it's quite as bad this article might suggest, but it is becoming a little more difficult for girls in the college admissions process.  As you read this however, please, please remember that the colleges mentioned in this article represent only a very tiny fraction of the schools that are out there.  We don't want you to get hung up on those very selective (Ivy) colleges when there are so many other options. 

What's really important for you to remember - and we say this all the time - is that you should be looking for a college that fits you!  And there are hundreds for you to choose from!!


http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/04/who-got-in-to-the-country-s-top-colleges.html

Getting Off the Wait List

This article from The New York Times backs up what we've been saying about what you should do if you are put on a waiting list at a college you want to attend.  And just like the article suggests, your letter shouldn't be more than one page!

How long will YOU pay for college?

Personally, I don't think it's quite as bad as the title of this article sounds, but it is important to consider how long you will be paying for college should you take out loans.

http://www.nooga.com/154641/some-senior-citizens-still-paying-on-student-loans/