Reading Lists For College Bound Students

Not 'school as usual'

The Transitional Education program uses volunteers and some paid student workers to tutor students. Pat Parker, director of the program, said some of the volunteers are former TE students "who are now giving back." Others come to TE via the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for volunteers over 55, which just happens to be located next door to TE in the Newmark Center. Others are retired instructors, and still others are community members who like helping other people learn.

Sometimes, tutors learn as much as students. Sue Johnson, 67, has been volunteering in the ESL program for six months.

"I just wanted to do something that feels worthwhile," she said.

She wanted to teach adult literacy, but there wasn't an opportunity in the Bay Area. After a Transitional Education staffer introduced her to Ana Lugo-Ferrin's English as a Second Language classroom, she soon found herself enjoying working with students from around the world - and being amazed at the speed with whi

What's keeping you from going back to school?

Too expensive? Not enough time? Didn't like school in the past?

Learning disability?

Did you know that at SWOCC, there's a college program that lets you take all the classes you can fit into your schedule for $50 to $100 a term? And that you can participate from home, take classes in your own town, or even work online from a fishing boat in Alaska?

And that you can get one-on-one tutoring in exactly the skills you need? And that a good score on the GED will get you free tuition at SWOCC?

Well, don't feel bad. Apparently, hardly anyone else knows it either.

"We're the unknown," said Pat Parker, director of SWOCC's Transitional Education program. "Nobody knows that we're here and available."

Accommodating and welcoming

The TE program helps students overcome barriers to finishing high school, getting their GED diploma, or entering college.

Instruction is individualized, schedules are flexible, cost is low, and curriculum is specifically designed for adult learners.

As Parker put it, "It's not ‘school as usual.'"

"A lot of people who dropped out of school, they hated that environment," Parker said. "We try to create an environment that's more accommodating and welcoming for that type of learner. We have a lot more one-on-one ability than most schools.

"Some people believe they can't learn, and that is not true.

Top 3 Concerns when applying to a Party School

Princeton Review! The town of Athens was quite charming, filled with restaurants and shops. Even though I visited during the summer, there were many students on campus, current undergraduates as well as high schoolers. The campus and curriculum seemed to have a lot to offer.

Certainly with this new ranking, it begs the question . . .

Should college bound students still apply to a college that has a Party School reputation??

That’s a serious question. While I don’t encourage selecting a college solely on rankings, this particular one is a bit unnerving. According to the Princeton Review, the ranking is based on a “combination of survey questions concerning the use of alcohol and drugs, hours of study each day, and the popularity of the Greek system.” Ooohh!

Before adding a “party school” to your list or arbitrarily removing from your list, here are 3 critical questions that a family should answer:

And these questions are part of a whole range of questions that every college applicant must ask as part of their due diligence. There are other questions related to the student’s social well being, academic expectations, and financial support that will determine whether a party school still remains on the list.

In considering these questions, here is a list of the top 20 party schools of 2011 by Princeton Review, along with their rate of admissions and graduation rates. There are only two private colleges among this list and number of enrolled students range from 2,000 at Depauw to 56,000 at Arizona State. These campuses are  located in varied settings with 3 in rural communities, 7 suburban, and 10 urban communities!

Reading lists for college-bound students

Outstanding Books for the College Bound, Titles and Programs for a New Generation

College bound, a guide to college

College bound, a guide for students with visual impairments

Guides to collection development for children and young adults