Universities Weblog

Each year about this time, college seniors begin to seriously consider career choices. Some talk about six-figures, but not in reference to salaries. Instead, legions of students will someday wrestle with six-figure debt.

As this piece points out, it's not uncommon to graduate from college owing anywhere from $10,000 to more than $50,000, depending on whether you pay public or private tuition and your level of financial aid. Tack on law, medical or business school and you're possibly looking at a debt load close to $100,000. Even with loan consolidation, your monthly bill can exceed your mortgage payment.

Student Loans are easy to get and tempting, but they represent a mixed blessing. Burdened with such extreme debt, and not wanting to default, some graduates are forced to choose careers simply for the paycheck. Some would prefer to pursue teaching or public service but couldn't make ends meet on what they'd earn.

(Source: Harvard University)The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has released its report for 2003-2004. In it you can find aggregate information on enrollment, retention and graduation rates. The report also offers insights into the admissions process.

Not surprisingly, applications are up. According to NACAC, three-quarters of American colleges received more applications in 2003 than in 2002. On average, colleges boasted a 70 percent acceptance rate.

If college admission looms on your horizon, or if you're just plain curious about the subject, the report is worth a look.

Burdened by the intense pressures to gain college acceptance, many students are opting to take time off after high school. As this New York Times article points out, some students defer admission, work in structured programs such as City Year, and matriculate after gaining real-world experience. Others apply to colleges toward the end of that "gap" year hoping that their experience will make them more attractive candidates.

Spending a year working in an inner-city program might not land you a spot at a top university (if you wouldn't get one otherwise), but it will make you more mature and, perhaps, more prepared for the college grind. I took two years off and never regretted my decision. By the time I arrived at college (an Ivy), I was ready for the challenges and knew I was there for the right reasons.

So if you're unsure about going to college, or where to go, don't feel you have to rush to action. A year away from the classroom could be just the ticket.