Introduction I sought out to answer a rather intangible, philosophical question, which somehow is almost central to what makes this university successful. In fact, its success is the question! I wanted to understand what it is about UNC that makes it a “good,” and prestigious, school. Toward that end, I needed to investigate the intricacies of this institution, and of this question. Because the terms “good” and “prestigious” are highly subjective, I did not attempt to objectify them, but I instead sought to get a working definition from each interviewee as well as refer to some of the contemporary big names in school rankings for their definitions. Some of the ‘big names’ that come to mind are the US News and Forbes lists of universities. The topic itself was one that was sparked out of my own curiosity to better understand why I chose UNC as an institution to transfer to, and also what made me choose the other schools that I applied to. Needless to say, they were all prestigious institutions as well. But what makes an institution prestigious? I believe that it has a lot to do with perspective: the answer and value will be at least slightly different for everyone. As this autoethnography will examine, this question has many intricacies that can only be examined and understood so well; I do not believe it is feasible to fully account for all the factors that go into making a school known as a ‘good’ one. Statement of Positionality I came to UNC at the end of a very nontraditional path through the educational system. As a child, I despised school in all its forms from the core of my being. Perhaps it was because I never enjoyed school from the start, and so through all the rest of my time spent in grade school I never cared for it... ... middle of paper ... ...d not be viewed in place of one another. It is interesting to note how all of this relates to the historical notion of a university. In ancient Greece, the university had a much different role in society, and it focused on nothing other than the liberal arts. Today, the university is a place for career advancement, research and technology, as well as the instruction of the Liberal Arts. Therefore, all conclusions about ‘which university is better’ will be inherently flawed, since there are so many contributing factors and ways in which we could measure this. Just as there is a top college for partying, there will be a top college for the liberal arts. It is important to remember that the process of seeking this information is, in itself, an enlightening process that can help one better appreciate their institution, regardless of where it stands on a list of schools.
Hello everyone! In this discussion, I contrasted and compared the following universities: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and Harvard University in Massachusetts, University of Buenos Aires and Duke University North Carolina, Complutense University of Madrid and Yale University, National University of Costa Rica and Princeton University.
What stands out about American universities today? Is it the academic opportunities offered to students, experienced faculty, or strong sense of community? Or...perhaps they have lost their focus. It is not uncommon for universities to focus their efforts and budgets elsewhere; by building state of the art gyms, for example, remodeling luxury dorms, grooming campuses, or creating more management positions. College students and professors alike are subject to the nationally occurring changes in higher level education. Colleges are becoming commercialized and tuition is rising, but is the quality of education improving? In “Why We Should Fear University, Inc.”, Fredrik DeBoer is able to provide a personal take on the issue of corporate domination
A potential incoming college freshman struts with confidence through the sliding doors of the Student Center, inhaling the freshly prepared pizza ready to be served at Sbarros, and sees the smiling faces as Pride Leaders try to convince each individual to enroll at Hofstra University; yet fail to admit that every university has its limitations and failed expectations. A journalist from U.S. News reports, “Hofstra University 's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 135.” (Hofstra University)
In recent years, under the combined force of technological innovation and market operation, our society has made remarkable progress in improving the quality of education. Universities as the major institutions of higher education are inevitably impacted by the social advancement. In his essay, “On the Uses of a Liberal Education,” Mark Edmundson argues that “university culture, like American culture writ large, is, to put it crudely, ever more devoted to consumption and entertainment, to the using and using up of goods and images” (44). He claims that college education gradually loses its traditional culture under the influence of social changes. Yet university as a significant element in society cannot be viewed separately from that society. A process of dynamic reallocation in which educational resources are redistributed towards
The biggests explain I can think of is University Of michigan. They are famous for their football team. But do you know what else they are famous for? There science department. University Of Michigan get peoples attention only for football of science department what about other major? The major that could matter but don't get enough attention. This world of education is turning to only science majors and math or the football team. There classes like writing, speech, art and etc is turning into basic classes that supports science and math. The high the test score in these subject the better the rating for universities. What about the success rate of students? No college wants to rate themselves by the number of murders, suicides, failures, or dropouts. They all hide the negative side to attract the students to come to their college. Colleges are turning education into a business. They do this by adding classes that are not a part of their major, increasing the prices of books, and high tuitions that cause students to pile up with student
In this article, William Deresiewicz the author who is a previous a Yale professor talked about Ivy League universities and what it does to the students who attend those universities. Mr. Deresiewicz talks about what it's like to attend those universities compared to others. Mr. Deresiewicz suggests that Ivy League universities are alright but so are public universities, even in some cases that school might not be worth attending.
Jaschik, Scott. "Study Documents Impact of 'quality of Life ' Rankings of Colleges." Inside Higher Ed. Inside Higher Ed, 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2016. .
Anonymous. "What Makes a College the Best College for You." TIME/The Princeton Review: The Best College for You and How to Get In. Spring 1997: 21-26.
Doctor Emily Hauptmann is a college professor that holds a Ph.D. from Berkley as well as a publish author. Doctor Hauptmann quotes Jeff Schmidt in her lecture as saying, “professors rarely challenge their institutions being described as Ivory Towers because part of the image, the part that makes universities seem like islands of autonomy is so appealing even when you throw the tried irrelevance in it.” Those institutions are what shape our country through higher education. The students of those colleges and universities are the people that go on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, business executives and the politicians that run our country. Those politicians are the people that pass laws that direct the education system. It is a huge cycle that is never ending.
...sented themselves such as: lack of financial support, low graduation rates, and a non-existence of diversification. However, these issues can be changed by an increase in support from different places which would add to the existing importance of HBCU’S. People are inspired by the Institutions because they work hard to overcome obstacles placed in their way. Students, Alumni’s, and Parents see the motivation and determination of the schools to stay ongoing and I see it as well.
When it comes down to choosing a college or a university to attend, the decision may be hard to make. Students often compare differences and similarities in their college experience between small and big schools when it comes to looking more into the learning environment, housing opportunities, and the entertainment provided.
School allows many opportunities to grow as a person, and show your personality. Within class I am always an active participant, I always add my input in discussion, and work to answers questions. I have always maintained good grades I was placed in advanced courses beginning in fourth grade and within all 3 years of highschool I have earned a weighted
When it comes to the individual choice on college education. Each student is motivated by a different branch of knowledge. Some have the goals of becoming lawyers, doctors, bankers, others choose to learn more about the liberal arts and its influence in building their personal characteristics with the world around them. This is precisely why institutions offer a large variety of programs to attract many high school seniors when it comes to deciding which institute to attend.
Yet again, I was starting another school where I didn’t know anyone.I had to do it all over again, with the same thoughts going through my head, wondering what it was going to be like, always wondering if I was going to fit and make friends easily knowing how big it was. I decided that these next two years at this school were going to be focused on college and my school work, I wasn’t going to be in any clubs or sports. I thought to myself that joining a sport at a small school was very different and I didn’t want to know what it was like at a big school. I managed starting this school just like I managed starting high school. Good thing I am very outgoing so I enjoy meeting new people! I remember my first day of school there like it was yesterday. Walking in and seeing thousands of faces that I have never seen before. It was huge, 1500 in each grade. It was so big that they had two different campuses; one for the freshman and sophomores and another for the juniors and seniors. It was really hard making friends but I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Lake County Tech Campus associated with the College of Lake County and I made a lot of friends there in my nursing class. It was a very racial school, there wasn’t a majority of one race whereas Central was majority whites. I enjoyed all of my teachers that I ever had at Warren and I felt that I really learned a lot compared to feeling like I was ever
In John Henry Newman’s The Idea of a University Newman relates is idea that the goal of a university should be that of training, “good members of society.”(48) Someone who can have a positive contribution to the future of humanity. Although this work was written in 1852 it is still among the most famous articles to attempt to define the aspects of a liberal arts education.