Tis the Season - Of Applications

Just got word from our admissions office. Carthage has passed 6,600 applicants for the upcoming year already. It's a great testament to the growth of the college (first year I was here we only had 2,400 applicants total) BUT it's also stressful for men's coaches because guys tend to . . . um . . . procrastinate.

That can be killer when it comes to getting admitted and getting financial aid. So if you're one of those guys and Carthage is on your list, get your application in so you don't get shut out. (PS - Swimming recruits have been  getting admitted at a much higher rate (86%) than the rest of the student body.  Just another sign we're recruiting smart guys.)

State Schools Hit With Hikes & Cuts

OK, I've got to say something - school is expensive. Considering that tuition, room and board at Carthage is pushing $40K its something I'm concerned with every day. Now while Carthage provides generous financial aid (believe me, there aren't enough fast swimmers with parents rich enough to write a check $40K to be as good as we are), I have to say that what's happening to students at state schools is crappy - really crappy.

Yesterday the UW board of regents approved a 5.5% tuition hike for at least the fifth year in a row. When you compound that rate - the cost goes by almost 25% over four years (or 30% over five years). I get that prices go up. While but what stinks is that Wisconsin is cutting $250 million from the budget and that is going to impact not just the pocketbooks of students and their parents, but also their experience.

Budget cuts mean it will be tougher to graduate on time. Fewer courses + bigger class sizes will make it tough to graduate "on time." I won't say which schools, but there are schools that we recruit against where the four-year graduation rate is less than 25%. (By way of comparison, 95% of our graduates finish in our years OR LESS).

And if you think that's bad, Illinois is even worse. One school we used to recruit against has a SIX-YEAR graduation rate of 48%. I say used to recruit against because this school (this time I will name names - Northern Illinois) cut their swim team due to - you guessed it - budget cuts.

I know we compete against these schools, but man when this type of thing happens it p&@#es me off.

UPDATE:
Listen to this quote from a UW-Madsion education policy professor Sara Goldrick-Rab that was just on WUWM:

She poses a larger question. Why should students pay higher tuition when the two biggest UW schools are becoming less and less student-centered?

“I really feel for our undergrads. We use them to generate revenue for the institution, and then we spend most of our time doing research,” Goldrick-Rab says. Goldrick-Rab uses herself as an example. She’s a full-time professor making $70,000 a year and last year, taught a grand total of 12 students.

“I brought in $1.5 million in research money last year, but I taught 12 students. And it’s in my best interest to just let that be.” Goldrick-Rab says.

 OUCH!

Public vs. Private

You know, I've successfully attended, coached and recruited at both public and private colleges. I can sell both, but its easier to talk about something when you really believe in it, and for me, that's a private college education. That's especially the case now that the economy is souring.

A couple of recent articles brought this to mind. First, the state of Wisconsin has slashed higher education funding. This has resulted in drastic budget cuts and sudden tuition increase. As if that wasn't enough, students are getting less for what they pay for. A CNN article describes how classes are getting cut (meaning class sizes are getting bigger and its tougher for kids to finish in four years).

It makes me appreciate what we have here at Carthage. A year ago the board of trustees voted to lower our student-faculty to 14:1. Last fall, as the economy was going into the tank, the President announced that Carthage would continue towards this goal.

That's not to say there hasn't been belt-tightening. The school has actually had to increased financial aid to help students and parents get through this tough time, but it makes me feel good to know that our guys are still getting a great education and can still finish up in just four years.