Title
Transparent Admissions Requirements (Encore)
Episode Summary:
It’s that time of year again… College admissions are on the minds of many students who have attempted to get into their choice schools across the US; it can be a deeply confusing and stressful time for many. Jenn begins the episode this week by sharing a disturbing, first-hand look at the US admissions process through her daughter (Ellie) and Ellie’s friends’ experiences, and provides an update on Ellie’s plans for the fall and how she eventually came to the decision to study in the US.
As well, although it is true that college in Europe is not for everyone (as evidenced by the fact that Jenn’s daughter will be attending school in the states), it is important to understand how the transparent and objective admissions criteria is in surprising contrast to that in the US. With that, we decided to revisit an important episode from 2017 with Maarten Dikhoff, an administrator from Groningen University who explains the admissions approach and process in the Netherlands and Europe. Ultimately, we’ll see how this approach is wholly refreshing, compared to the problematic one in the states. (Spoiler alert – they don’t care about your SAT scores or extracurricular activities!) Tune in and find out more!
“It’s not where you go to college, but how you go to college that matters.” — Jenn
“We basically do our selection during the first year. Students can all get the chance to study at a university in the Netherlands, but in the first year they need to show they are capable of doing so.”, Martin
What you will hear in this episode:
- How important are clear, unambiguous, and fair admissions requirements?
- Is “more” always the better?
- How can extracurricular activities take a student to the stage of lacking focus?
- What are the advantages of nonselective vs. selective programs?
- Why is binding study advice in favor of students’ interests?
- How can Bachelor’s program choice be the limiting factor for Master’s program possibilities?
- Is “nonselective enrollment” a more objective way of getting to know students’ potential?
- What will make your motivation letter stand out from other competitors?
Resources:
- Maarten’s Linkedin
- Malcolm Gladwell’s recent article on rankings scandal at Columbia University
- US News College Acceptance Rates
- Race to Nowhere
- Vicky Abeles
- Vicky Abeles quote
- Groningen University website
- Groningen University a Top 100 university
- Dartmouth Stops Accepting APs
- Crazy U Review
- Information About Groningen at BeyondtheStates.com
- Education Quality in the US and Europe
- Binding Study Advice
- Groningen: World Bicycling City
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