Beyond the (College) Brochure: Guidance on College Decisions
Mary McGrath, a rising college senior, asks the tough questions about colleges to Dr. Gary Stocker. Dr. Stocker has researched the financial health and viability of every public and private college in the U.S. His College Viability app is used by students and families across the country to compare the financial health and viability of colleges. If you want more guidance on whether your college is financially strong, we will post this podcast every Wednesday. Mary will have developed questions from the perspective of students and parents to ask Dr. Stocker. Send your questions to marym@collegeviability.com
The Kyle Gerdeman Podcast for 2-24-25
This week Coach Gerdeman looks back at a big win and a tough loss. He also looks ahead to the OVC tourney the first week of March
Beyond the College Brochures for Jan 13, 2025
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.
Beyond the (College) Brochure for November 13, 2024
Beyond the (College) Brochure for October 18, 2024
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
Beyond the (College) Brochure for Oct 4, 2024
Mary McGrath, college senior, and Gary Stocker, founder of College Viability move their show to video. Beyond the (College) Brochure is a show about colleges finances dedicated to students and their families.
Mary asks questions from the perspective of a student and their family.
Watch this episode to hear:
+ What factors contribute to a college’s financial stability?
+ Does the financial instability of a college have a negative effect on its reputation?
+ What role do state and federal funding play in the stability of public colleges?
+ Are there specific types of co...
Beyond the College Brochure for September 18, 2024
Here are Mary's 8 questions for Dr. Stocker this week. Remember, these questions come from college student and are asked from the perspective of a college student and their family.
What would you say to the students and families who are concerned about the ability to transfer credits if their college is facing financial issues?Which college ranking publication is the best?Are college admission essays a big deal?What is tuitionfit.org?Is it common for colleges to mislead students and families with the “sticker price” of the school?What factors might influence a college’s decision to increas...Beyond the (College) Brochure for August 28, 2024
If you are a college student, family member or even college faculty, college senior Mary McGrath asks questions about the financial health of colleges on your behalf. She washes away all of the ancient beliefs offered by college counselors, admissions representatives and college marketing groups. Her questions are based on research she has done to get at the hear of the financial health challenges many private and public colleges face in this hyper-competitive and shrinking market.
Summary In this episode, Mary McGrath and Gary Stocker discuss the financial instability of colleges and its impact on reputation, alumni, an...
Beyond the (College) Brochure for August 21, 2014
Mary has these questions from students and their families for this week's episode of 'Beyond the (College) Brochure'.
What would you say to the students and families who are concerned about the ability to transfer credits if their college is facing financial issues?Does the quality of education decline if experienced faculty and staff are laid off due to financial trouble?Are there more likely to be limited resources at a school in financial distress vs. one that is not?Do budget cuts have an effect on the campus safety measures at...Beyond the (College) Brochure for Aug 14 2024
Here is the list of questions Mary on behalf of students and their families this week.
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
What is a need-based scholarship?What does a Board of Trustees do?How does a college come to the decision that it must merge with another institution?Can an endowment be used to help a struggling college?What is a presidential scholarship?What are some of the IPEDS reports from the College Viability app?What are the 4 best comparisons to use when looking at colleges?What is the College Viability Manifesto?...
Beyond the (College) Brochure for August 7, 2024
Mary McGrath, a rising college senior at LIndenwood University (MO) comes up with more questions that helps students and parents better understand the college admissions process - and the risks of choosing financially unhealthy colleges.
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
Summary
In this episode, Mary McGrath and Dr. Gary Stocker discuss college rankings, college admissions, online courses, indicators of financial distress in colleges, and the value of a college degree. They emphasize that college rankings are subjective and not necessarily indicative of a college's quality. They also highlight...
Beyond The College Brochure for July 31, 2024
Here are the questions from Mary for this week's podcast episode of 'Beyond the (College) Brochure.
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
Are students and parents in denial when they have concerns about their college’s financial health?Gary, in your ‘This Week in College Viability’ podcast, you regularly say: “let’s go into the data.” What does that mean?Are college admission essays a big deal?Can students and families get a refund on their tuition?What does is mean when a school says they are a “liberal arts institution”?What is tuitionfit.org?What is an e...The FAFSA Debacle update of July 24, 2024
Mary asks Dr. Stocker for an update on the pending FAFSA Debacle
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
Beyond the College Brochure Jul 24, 2024 with Mary McGrath and Gary Stocker
Here are the 8 questions for this week's 'Beyond the (College) Brochure' podcast:
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
As I’m sure you’ve seen in the news, Vanderbilt University has reached $100,000 in attendance costs- do you think this was really necessary or this institution just raising the price because they are able to?Is it common for colleges to mislead students and families with the “sticker price” of the school?Can you explain all the components of the tuition bill? Are there any hidden fees?Are there flexible payment plans available for tuition?What are...Beyond the (College) Brochure for Jul 17, 2024
Mary focuses on some important questions about a college's responsibility to share information with faculty and students.
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
Is it common for colleges that are not in any financial distress/at risk of closure to cut certain majors and/or programs?Does a college closure have a negative effect on a recent graduate from that school? (such as finding a job)Are faculty and staff more informed about the state of college’s financial situation than students and prospective students?Does a school’s acceptance rate and scholarships/grants beco...Beyond the (College) Brochure for July 10, 2024
Mary has these questions for Gary from student and their families this week.
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
Submit your questions to marym@collegeviability.com
How important are rankings versus fit when deciding on a college?How does the college support students in managing their finances and budgeting?Are there provisions for appealing financial aid decisions, and what is the process?What are the potential hidden costs beyond tuition and fees that students and families should consider?What’s the biggest pro and biggest con to attending a private institution rather th...Beyond the Brochure for July 2, 2024 with Mary McGrath and Dr. Gary Stocker
This week rising college senior Mary McGrath hits Gary with some tougher questions. Of course, each question is addressed to students and their families.
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
1) How are colleges using alternative revenue streams (e.g., online courses, partnerships with industry) to improve financial health?
2) How do colleges decide which academic programs to expand, maintain, or cut?
3) What factors might influence a college’s decision to increase/decrease its tuition?
4) How do colleges balance tuition increases with the need to remain affordable for students and...
Beyond the Brochure with Mary McGrath and Gary Stocker for June 26, 2024
Rising college senior student-athlete Mary McGrath continues to ask the tough college finance questions from the perspective of students and their families.
This week Mary asks about:
1. The trend in short-notice college closures
2. How to determine if a major or program at a college is at risk of being cut.
3. Her research shows that many believe colleges shouldn't be run as a business. Don't miss Gary's response on that one.
4. Mary also challenges Gary on his belief that college financial catastrophe is just around the corner.
5. Finally, Gary is asked if colleg...
Beyond the (College) Brochure for June 19, 2024
In this episode, here are some of the questions Mary asks.
1. What is going on with the FAFSA debacle?
2. How many colleges will close in the next 6 months?
3. What types of colleges are at risk for closing?
4. What can students and their families do to limit their risk of choosing a college that might close?
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
Beyond the Brochure with Mary McGrath and Gary Stocker May 22, 2024
Mary asks Dr. Stocker about the history of College Viability and how it can help students and their families make the best possible college decisions while considering the financial health, enrollment, graduation rates and much more.
Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.
