GroshLink

According to the survey, parents are by far the most influential people in the admissions process — with no one even a close second. (Friends were a distant second, edging out high-school guidance counselors and far ahead of teachers or coaches.) The survey also found that the sticker price of a college was a significant factor for half of all families, with 21 percent saying cost was the determining factor about whether to apply. An institution's brand name or "prestige factor" was important to about 45 percent of the parents and 35 percent of the students. -- What Colleges Don't Know About Admissions, By Steve Cohen, Chronicle of Higher Education, accessed 09/21/2009.

So it's a big surprise to college admissions offices?  Hard for me to believe, but maybe a generation who desired to leave home for a better place fill our campus admissions offices.  I wonder how much more competitive/consumeristic higher education can become, but more parent focused including various admissions incentives and secret shoppers (to evaluate the quality/content of campus tour guides) steps it up a level.

A friend commented on the article, "What role do churches play in helping their young people think through their futures?"  Anyone interested in a Next Steps: Transition from High School to College Seminar, maybe I should start writing/speaking about parenting and children's ministry.  Who would have ever guessed that? 

Father, have mercy upon us.  Grant our local congregations the vision and grace to journey with whole families as salt, leaven, and leaven in today's complex culture.  May we truly be the Body of Christ, learning what it means to live together in accountable community directed by the Word and Spirit from an early age.  In the name of your Son Jesus, Amen.