Category: College Access

2019, admissions, College Access, Research/Policy

Does it Matter if You Attend a Top-Ranked Institution?

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute I read an article published this week by Richard Reeves and Katherine Guyot of Brookings titled: “US College Scandal: How much differences does going to a top university make?” There is nothing earth shattering here; it basically buttresses what most of us in the industry have said for years: attending a selective institution has … Continue reading Does it Matter if You Attend a Top-Ranked Institution?

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2019, admissions, College Access, Student Success

A Story of Excellence and Advantage — The Story of Esther Wojcicki

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Esther Wojcicki is a very bright woman. On Friday, the education expert wrote a piece on TIME magazine titled “I Raised Two CEOs and a Doctor. These Are My Secrets to Parenting Successful Children.” The piece is an excerpt from her upcoming book, “How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results.” In it … Continue reading A Story of Excellence and Advantage — The Story of Esther Wojcicki

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2019, admissions, College Access, Student Success

Predictive Modeling for Student Success: A Cautionary Tale

Many colleges and universities continue to turn towards predictive modeling to complement their admissions and enrollment processes. A recent report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario found that 36 percent of respondents from Canadian universities and colleges were using predictive modeling as a way to “improving student retention” and 40 percent said they were considering doing so. Respondents said they used the process to inform their strategies for retention, including support services and individual advising. Continue reading Predictive Modeling for Student Success: A Cautionary Tale

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2019, admissions, College Access

An Admissions Crisis in Hollywood

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scientist, Educational Policy Institute   Everybody’s talking about those celebrities and rich people taking advantage of the system by fraudulently getting their kids into the best schools in the world. We’re talking Yale, Georgetown, Stanford, USC, Wake Forest, and UT Austin. Leading the pack is Felicity Huffman of Desperate Housewives and Sports Night fame and Lori Loughlin from Full … Continue reading An Admissions Crisis in Hollywood

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2019, Advising, College Access, Retention, Student Success

Defining Student Success

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute At the start of all our Retention 101 workshops, I ask participants how they define student success. I give them a few minutes and make them write it down. Then we share. Over the years, I have collected over a thousand definitions from people. Here are some verbatim (e.g., unedited) samples from recent participants: My … Continue reading Defining Student Success

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