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.


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 . . .


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 ***



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)


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**



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)


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


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



Q.5 While in college, did you participate in…?


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



Q.6a Were you involved in…? Q.6b Did you have a leadership role in…?


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


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)


69%

64%

44%

42%

57% S

63% S

Relating to people ofdifferent backgrounds

Placing problems in socialand historical perspective

Being politically or sociallyaware



More Effective in DevelopingInterpersonal Skills



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



Place Higher Value on Family, Ethical and Religious Concerns


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



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)


63%

84% SHaving asense of

purpose inlife



More Effective in Helping Students Develop a Sense of Purpose



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


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

http://www.collegevalue.com/

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