Book Review: Where You Go Isn't Who You'll Be

Confession:  I am a slow reader.  I have never, never finished a book over 100 pages in 24 hours, and I include Harry Potter in that list.  But every once in a while, I find a book that is more interesting than the average piece of literature and so well-written that I fly through it in days.  (Never hours--I'm still a slow reader, remember?)  This book is one that I finished in mere days:  "Where You Go Isn't Who You'll Be".  I didn't just read it, I inhaled it.  I bought it last Wednesday and finished it on Monday.

I think that most students and parents would not only find it interesting, but vital.  The reason why?  The author, Frank Bruni, a columnist for the New York Times, explains why students can be as happy, if not happier, attending a public state university or a small liberal arts college instead of a highly selective college.  These public universities have many great attributes going for them that are unadvertised, and this book chronicles story after story of exceptional people that have been happy with their college education at unheralded places as University of Rhode Island, ASU, University of Hawaii and (gasp) community colleges!

I know that many of our students are excited to just go to college, so it might not seem like this book would be for them.  But it is, and here is why:  instead of feeling like their college experience at a state college (like Weber State) is a low-level experience that they have to settle for because of limited finances or a lower-GPA than they'd like, they will see the college experience through new eyes.  As Bruni points out, many Utah Colleges are hidden-gems that allow students access to professors, programs, and internships that contribute to a personalized education as much as the big-name colleges.

These highly selective colleges are the ones we recognize even if we have never set foot on campus:  Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT.  But the reality is that they only accept approximately 5% of their applicants.  That means that only 1 in 20 students will be accepted.  And these 20 students that are applying are not slacking:  they have great grades, test scores, are super-involved (probably over-involved) in sports, service, activities, and clubs.  Instead of running a race to be accepted to these colleges, this book argues that it is what you do during your four years that matters, NOT the name on the degree.

The book talks about real people--people that had to pay for college, lived at home, worked a part-time job and STILL felt like their college experience was the launchpad for their careers.  They didn't have full-ride scholarships or invitations to an Ivy-League school, but they came to understand that success can be hatched anywhere, including a state university.  So for that reason, I think this book is valuable to our students.  Because instead of thinking that Weber State or Utah State or the University of Utah are somehow beneath them, they will see that these colleges have fantastic opportunities that have been overlooked in search of the "brand-name" college.  

Read the book.  Inhale it.  Write in the margins.  Make this book your own manifesto for choosing a college that will be your passport to life, whatever the name.

The Genius of the College Visit

"Go to college!"

Students hear this all day long from teachers, parents, grandparents, older siblings, and random strangers.  The advice is handed out like free candy, "Go to college!"  But here is a little nugget of wisdom that you don't always hear:  you will do much better IN college when you are 19 years old if you go TO college when you are 14 or 15 or 16 years old.  I'm not talking about being an early-college student, though that is a great fit for many students.  I'm talking about simply getting ON a college campus, touring a department, and seeing an actual college class.  I'm talking about going on a college visit, which too many students and parents overlook.  This little post will explain why the college visit is gold, and why you should definitely consider coming on every college visit you can.  

It's important to understand there are two types of college visits.  The first is where you take a tour of a college from the outside:  you are hosted by a student ambassador around campus, seeing the outside of buildings.  This is somewhat useful:  you get to know where buildings are, but not much about what classes look like, or what you would actually do as a college student.  The student ambassadors know a little bit about each program, which can be helpful for an overview.  So--should you go on a general college tour?  The answer is yes; however, there is a second question.  Should you also go on other tours or specific college departments?  The answer is a very large yes.

These second type of college visits are very focused on a specific area of study within a College or Department.  The only difference between the terms is size:  a large university will refer to these as "colleges"; a small college will refer to these as "departments".  For example, Weber State has several colleges, including the College of Health Professions, the College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, College of Performing Arts, College of Education, and several others.  Each "College" or "Department" offers various degrees and programs.   A visit to these smaller "colleges" or "departments" helps students explore degrees and programs, meet with professors, see actual classrooms and labs, and understand what a college student would actually do on a day-to-day basis.

The difference is that the first sort of visit gives a big overview of the campus; the second visit gives an up-close snapshot of a college experience.  In my experience, both are valuable...but the second is priceless.  If you are only going on the first type of visit, you might choose where to study based on the size or architecture of the buildings, the student ambassador's winning (or not so winning) personality, and if you liked the free water bottle they give on the hour-long tour.  The problem with this is that the size and architecture of a building do not determine whether the classes and programs taught inside are thoughtful and personal.  The student ambassador might be awesome, but they are not the person that student needs to approach for help.  They need to see if the professors at the college are approachable, and this only happens by actually meeting the professors.  Last of all, you will get more loot from a Department tour than a single water bottle.  The loot I'm talking about:  department funding and scholarships.  The type that aren't posted on a website--they are simply known and advertised by the people in the program.  And the sooner you make contact with the Professors, the Secretaries, the Recruiters of that department (who are the exact people we meet on these college tours)...the sooner you have a chance at applying and winning these scholarships.  Better than a water bottle?  Oh, yeah.

Are you convinced yet?  No?!?!  Alright...here's some cool things that have happened on our various trips to specific colleges at Weber State this year:

• At the College of Visual Arts, we learned about scholarships that are available to students for volunteering with art shows.  This is not advertised anywhere on the website, and the opportunity to receive funding ranges from half-tuition to full-tuition.  ($$$$$$)
• At the College of Visual Arts, each student learned about what an art portfolio should contain, by the professors who would be judging them for scholarships.  (Helpful Info)  
• The Head of the College of Performing Arts gave us a personal tour of the Browning Building, and gave the students his personal card.  "You can contact me if you have questions," he told an 8th grader.   (Networking)  
• We learned about ALL the degree and career options offered by the College of Health Professions, not just the well-known nursing program.  There are many options for careers in the Health Professions, that many students would take if they simply knew about the possibilities.  (Career Exploration)
• The recruiter from the College of Education walked us around campus, showing us out-of-the-way spots for great studying, free food, and cool resources that most students never discover.    (College Savvy)  

Remember:  you can just say "go to college" and hope that things will work out...OR you can help your student get to campus throughout their junior high and high school years.  They will explore the buildings and departments, visit with professors, learn about their options, and understand what it means to "go to college".  Parents, if you want your students to go to college, support them to come on a college visit.  And by the way, you are invited to come too!  We would love to have loads of parents join us!  Students, make these college trips a priority and come on as many as possible.  Even if you don't see yourself in a particular field, still come and explore!  Many students who don't see themselves in the medical field as a doctor or nurse, might be interested in a field as a Health Administrator.  And you don't usually hear about these careers except on a college tour, so come and explore all the possibilities!

Hope to see you on our next College Visit:  The College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology on May 20th from 12:30 p.m. -  3:30 p.m.  It's going to be awesome!  We get to tour labs, meet with professors, and explore degree and career options!  Pick up a permission slip in the counseling department this week and get it turned in by May 18th!
Email brooke.krim@davinciacademy.org with any questions.

Don't let math stand in your way!

If you are worried that I'm going to simply rattle off a hundred reasons why you really are good at math, when you have 12 years of grades and experience to prove otherwise--relax.  This post is not a discussion about whether or not you are good at math.  It is not a post to convince you to pursue a career in the STEM field.  This is a post about how to get through math in college, or better yet before college, especially if you see yourself in a non-STEM career.

Now, hoping that I haven't already ticked off people that are pro-STEM careers, I'll continue.  (I should add here that I think STEM is a wonderful push in education--but let's be honest:  if you enjoy STEM, you probably won't need help getting through the basic math requirement for college.  On the flipside,  if you are NOT pursuing a STEM career, it's probably because you don't feel comfortable in STEM classes, and therefore, will avoid math classes to the grave.)

There are some things to consider about completing the math requirement for college.  In fact, you don't have to wait until college to jump through the math hoop.  Look for ways to get through the college requirement of math while you are STILL in high school.  This might be taking concurrent enrollment or AP math.  Check out the policy of what score is needed for you to receive math credit, such as the Weber State AP Guidelines.  Weber State's policy is extremely generous, allowing you to be fulfill college math with the minimum score of "3" on the AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics exam.  Some schools require a 4 or a 5--so take note.   For Weber State, a "3" on either AP exam grants you the Math 1030 credit, which is the math required for students pursuing a NON-STEM degree.  Non-STEM degrees would include English, History, Communications, Humanities, etc.  Double check possible major to understand if Math 1030 would qualify.  And if you are pursuing a STEM degree, being able to jump to the higher math courses will save you time and money.

Second, check out the math courses available at the OWATC.  Even if you aren't interested in earning a certificate from the OWATC (which I hope you'll reconsider...), you should definitely check out taking the math courses 950 (Pre-Algebra), 990 (First Course in Algebra), and 1010 (Intermediate Algebra) at the OWATC.  These are considered "developmental math" courses, which means that the information should be mastered during high school.  Your ACT math score is used for placement in a math course, and you might be placed in a "developmental math course" (950, 990, 1010) to make sure you understand the material.  Here are some reasons you would want to get through these developmental math courses at the OWATC during high school instead of waiting for college:

1. You will PAY for these courses at a University, but they won't go towards your Gen.Ed. requirements or Degree requirements.  
2. Pell-Grants will not cover these courses since they are considered "developmental".  
3.  You can take any and all math classes offered at the OWATC (950, 990, 1010) during the school year OR during the summer as long as you are 16 years old and finished with your sophomore year.  
4. You do not have to pay tuition for the OWATC courses...including developmental math courses!  You only have to pay fees (usualy $70 / year)

Did you catch that--you will have to pay out-of-pocket for Math 950, 990, 1010 if you wait to take it at a university BUT you won't have to pay if you take it NOW at the OWATC.  If you want to save money and time, this is a good option!  Also, talk to the school counselor to see if you can also get any high school credit for the OWATC math credits you complete.

I hope this helps many of you plan early and plan well to finish any of these math courses during high school!