A Job for Parents and Student Together
by Loren E. Swartzendruber
first published in Hesston College Today
Winter 2003
"I'm seriously checking out a college in Missouri," reported a high school senior several years ago. When I inquired as to what attracted her to that particular institution, she responded, "Because they have nice trees," I almost laughed, but then I was amazed to realize she was serious. She could not tell me for certain if the college was private or public, church-related or not. The irony of her choosing a college on the basis of "nice trees" was not lost on me. First impressions count, but they do not begin to tell the whole story of a college.
Even the most precocious young adult does not have enough life experience to adequately discern from among 3,600 colleges in this country. We as parents and the church should strongly influence the college choice decision. It is incomprehensible that one of life's most important decisions is approached in such a cavalier manner by so many parents. What other decision, other than those to follow Jesus and whom to choose as a life partner (or to be single), has more impact on one's future?
Studies have consistently shown that recent high school graduates welcome the involvement of their parents in the daunting task of selecting a college. To those parents who think they should leave this decision completely to their children, I suggest that it is impossible not to influence their decision. To say nothing about your preferences communicate loudly, "I feel that all choices are equally valid and that I do not believe the decision has much meaning." The decision is extremely important for the future of your young adult and the outcome has a very direct impact on the future of the church.
If Hesston College is to continue producing graduates who are committed to serving the church and the larger world, we need your assistance as alumni and friends of the college. As Clark Roth points out in his interview, the competition in student recruitment is phenomenal and growing. Your young adult may think that a winning football team makes a university an attractive place to enroll. But as an adult, you know that a winning football team guarantees nothing concerning the academic quality of an institution.
Talk about us when your children are young, bring them for campus visits, give them our college sweatshirts, provide them a small number of choices, and let them know you have feelings about this most important decision. After all, who is paying the greatest portion of the costs?
Finally,
never rule out a private college on the basis of the "sticker
price." You don't know the net cost until you go through
the application process.
