Mary and I spent 2024 answering questions students and their families have about their college decisions. We discussed everything from majors to financial health.

From now until Mary finishes here Finance and Marketing double major at Lindenwood University (MO), we are going to journey with her..

In this episode, Mary shared what it is like to make a college decision as a student-athlete and more.

In future episodes, Mary will update us on her final semester of study along with preparations for her job search.

In this episode of the Beyond the College Brochure podcast, Mary McGrath and Dr. Gary Stocker discuss the current trends in college closures, the importance of evaluating a college's financial health, and how students and families can make informed decisions during the college admissions process. They emphasize the need for transparency regarding enrollment trends and financial stability, and provide resources for comparing colleges effectively. The conversation also touches on the impact of financial instability on college programs and athletics, and offers advice for prospective students navigating the higher education landscape.

Takeaways

• There has been a significant trend of college closures recently.
• Families should be cautious about the financial health of colleges.
• Admissions reps may not disclose financial issues of colleges.
• Georgetown University provides a useful ROI ranking for colleges.
• The College Viability app is a valuable tool for comparisons.
• Colleges are more eager to enroll students than vice versa.
• Enrollment trends are crucial for assessing college stability.
• Advertising enrollment rates can be misleading.
• Graduating from college is essential for job market success.
• Higher education offers unique learning and personal growth opportunities.

Here are the questions Mary has for Dr. Stocker this week.

1. What has been the trend of college closures in recent years?
2. What should students and families know about the college admissions process in light of current trends?
3. Is there a way to evaluate the potential return on investment for a certain college?
4. How can student and families effectively compare multiple colleges to make an informed decision?
5. What does the process look like after a college application is submitted?
6. Does financial instability have an impact on a school’s athletics program?
7. How do declining enrollment numbers affect a college's stability?
8. What advice do you have for families who are anxious about the future of higher education?