A Grapefruit or a Plum What Students Should

A Grapefruit or a Plum? What Students Should Consider When their College List is a Fruit Basket! The Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? There is diversity in the basket of college choices. l na U io at n r te In Mega State U City College “Those schools my friends said are totes the best. ” Parents’ alma mater Small Town College Liberal Arts Colleges

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? Small, liberal arts schools ACS • • • schools are: Undergraduate focused Liberal arts foundation Highly residential Built around personal relationships Smaller sized

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? Understanding small, liberal arts schools There also differences among ACS schools: • Athletics • Location • Size • Populations • Programs

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? Understanding the Liberal Arts “A liberal education is an approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest. A liberal education helps students develop a sense of social responsibility, as well as strong and transferable intellectual and practical skills such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings. ” The Association of American Colleges & Universities Liberal Education and America’s Promise

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? Understanding the Liberal Arts How to talk to parents about the Liberal Arts: • Preparation for a complex, diverse, and changing world • Provides the skills employers seek: communication, analytical, and problem solving skills • Provides a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge • Provides the ability to address difficult challenges • In an increasingly complex world, liberal arts is not the problem - it is the path to solutions

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? Values and Outcomes Our schools feature: • • Low cost (great aid!) Diverse environments High retention rates High graduation rates Our students have great outcomes: • • Low or no debt Skills employers want Strong job placement & long term success Strong preparation for graduate school

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? Tips for High School Counselors WHEN TALKING ABOUT COLLEGE OPTIONS WITH FAMILIES: • Before discussing specific schools, discuss the characteristics students and parents value in the college search. • Ask about the student’s favorite academic experience and WHY it was their favorite • Was it the way a teacher facilitated active and engaged learning? • Was it the other students they got to know in the class?

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? Tips for High School Counselors WHEN TALKING TO PARENTS: • Use data to directly address their concerns • Cost • Outcomes • Don’t assume that parents understand what a liberal education is, or what liberal arts entails.

A GRAPEFRUIT OR A PLUM? the Associated Colleges of the South Have you counseled students and parents about the benefits of small colleges? What questions do they ask that we can help answer?

CONTACT INFORMATION Dr. Robert Alexander Vice President for Enrollment and Communications Millsaps College Robert. Alexander@Millsaps. edu Christine Bowman, MEd. Dean of Admission and Enrollment Services Southwestern University Bowman. C@Southwestern. edu Dr. Stephanie Dupaul Vice President for Enrollment Management University of Richmond SDupaul@Richmond. edu Dr. R. Owen Williams President Associated Colleges of the South ROWilliams@colleges. org

QUESTIONS? More information on The Associated Colleges of the South available at www. colleges. org