American students devote only about 20 percent of their waking hours to learning tasks. Academic effort in high school is generally not well signaled to colleges and employers. Educators can make studying pay off by offering school-based rewards, providing diplomas certifying various competencies, and challenging college-bound students with…

A study evaluated the use of a video cassette as an early recruitment tool, with respect to promoting viewer awareness and increasing rate of application to the undergraduate pharmacy program. Analysis of questionnaires showed that the videotape increased knowledge the profession. (Author/MLW)

A study investigated how 362 Ohio high school seniors perceived the quality of selected state universities in Ohio and how those perceptions affected their choice of colleges to which to apply. It is concluded that students do use perceived quality as a basis for application. Implications for practice and further research are outlined. (MSE)

Critically looks at how colleges review writing in students' application essays. Describes high school personal essay writing course for seniors designed to help students find "voice" suitable for personal essays, select original topic, and avoid some typical subjects that college essay readers may find tiring. Describes course's nine-point…

Reviews history, policies, and practices of admitting learning-disabled students to postsecondary institutions. Presents legal and social background information with respect to emergence of undergraduate applicants with learning disabilities, discusses uncertainties that affect response of high school and college admission and guidance counselors,…

Use of market research to enhance college admissions publications is discussed. The role of marketing in recruitment materials is examined, sources of market research on and off campus are noted, suggestions for conducting original research are offered, and applications of research to preparation and evaluation of recruitment materials are…

Presents journal entries written by college counselor at a U.S. school in Egypt. Entries concern transfer of students to counselor's school from U.S. and international schools in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates during Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and difficulties in communicating with U.S. colleges during Persian Gulf…

An Illinois study found that parents' (n=823) college savings and awareness of college financial aid possibilities had significant indirect effects on the tuition levels of colleges under consideration. Effects of a number of other demographic variables and knowledge factors were found. (Author/MSE)

Reviews literature appearing since 1985 on changing patterns of community college transfer, the current status of community college articulation, and areas for improvement in the transfer/articulation process. Includes a 21-item bibliography. (DMM)

Proposes 10 questions that can serve as guidelines to evaluate undergraduate music program for students who wish to pursue music major or minor and 5 additional questions that can serve as specific guidelines in considering music education programs. Includes evaluation checklist and Music Teacher Certification Program Checklist. (NB)

Presents the definition of transfer proposed by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges. Reviews research utilizing this definition to establish transfer rates from two- to four-year colleges. Underscores the value of a consistent definition of transfer, urging community colleges to collect and report their own transfer data. (DMM)

Investigated extent to which public flagship universities use weighted or unweighted standards in admission decision process. Findings from 91 universities indicated that nearly one-half of the flagship universities used exclusively unweighted standards in decision process for most entering freshmen, suggesting that recognition of honors courses…

Draws on 20 years of experience as College Board staff member to discuss the traditional role of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), test bias, a new and emerging role for the SAT, and the SAT's interaction with other testing methods. (NB)

Using concept of market segmentation (dividing market into distinct groups requiring different product benefits), surveyed 398 college students to determine benefit segments among students selecting a college to attend and factors describing each benefit segment. Identified one major segment of students (classroomers) plus three minor segments…

This panel interview from the Indiana University Summer Arts Institute discusses objectives for establishing on a university campus an early-access program for high school students with exceptional talent in visual arts and science. Operational details of the Indiana University Campus Program and political issues are discussed by panel members.…