College Tipsheet

In this pilot episode, Mary McGrath .............................................................

The college search can be overwhelming, if you let it be. But if you break it down into parts and work together with others, it can be fun, revealing, and rewarding. Martin Van Der Werf wrote a series of blog posts about the college search and advice for improving it. In this podcast, I talk to Martin and his son, Reid, about their recently-completed search. 

What did they learn? How did they narrow down their choices? What advice do they have for others?

The journeys to a college decision are as varied as the number of students searching. 

In this episode of "Uh Oh" College, we talk with Reid and his father Marty.  Each shares their unique perspective on the college search.

Uh Oh College is for college students and their families.  We use the podcast to provide a balanced source of college-related information. 

Instead of the usual one-way hype colleges use to get students to enroll, we challenge their messages to you in a way that will provide listeners with an enhanced perspective.  You will learn what is good and what is garbage.

This episode lists 10 common questions students and their families should ask colleges, BUT, we take it one step farther.  We offer guidance on the best questions to ask colleges and which quest...

What if your car only worked 50% of the time?  What if your doctor was only correct 50% of the time, Cell phone worked on 70% of the time?  

The same logic applies to colleges – unlike the scenarios I just shared -  that bad performance is way too common. In too many private and public colleges there are 4 year graduation rates below 50% and 6-year rates below 70% year after year after year.  

Our CV App tracks both for every private and public college in the U.S.  We even provide free top and bottom graduation rate reports for every college...

Uh-Oh College is meant to be a provocative, perspective-changing yet entertaining look at colleges and all in the U.S.  We will provide guidance on admissions, finances, enrollment, majors, and more – but our most important focus is on the financial health and viability of colleges themselves and the programs, majors in those colleges.

In our role as your fiduciary, we look out for the best interests of college students, their families  -  
 AND college faculty and staff  --   by providing the best source of college financial health and viability information – and much more.

Uh Oh College...

My name is Gary Stocker.  I am asking college students, their families and even college faculty and staff let me be your Fiduciary.

What does that mean?  I explain in this podcast.  

Uh-Oh College is meant to be a provocative, yet entertaining look at colleges in the U.S. 

In our role as your fiduciary, we look out for the best interests of college students, their families  -   AND college faculty and staff  --   by providing the best source of college financial health and viability information – and much more

Uh Oh College is...

In this episode for students and their families, we discuss something we call tuition resets.  Colleges call them lower tuition costs for the students.  We explain why that is not necessarily the case.

We also share our summary of a report from Fitch (a financial rating service).  In essence, Fitch wants to remind college consumers that there are many colleges at risk of closure or other significant adjustments.   

You will want to subscribe to the Uh Oh College podcast to stay informed.  

Show notes and story links.
1.  Central College IA makes commitment to graduation time frame – or they put their money where there mouth is.

https://central.edu/transfer/
2.  The college garage and rummage sale spectacular continues.   Another IWU building will open to public Wednesday

https://www.southeastiowaunion.com/se-iowa-union-mount-pleasant/another-iw-building-will-open-to-public-wednesday/
3.  Brandon Busteed

Chief Partnership Officer and Global Head of Learn-Work Innovation 

With sarcasm freely flowing offered these observations this week:

College presidents: "College rankings are highly problematic and students and parents shouldn't use them to judge schools...

Uh Oh College is for college students and their families.  We use the podcast to provide a balanced source of college-related information. 

Instead of the usual one-way hype colleges use to get students to enroll, we challenge their messages to you in a way that will provide listeners with an enhanced perspective.  You will learn what is good and what is garbage.

You will learn how to analyze the financial health and viability of private and public colleges.  Students and parents are generally unaware of the financial health and viability of many c...