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.…

Investigates how social and academic background factors influenced transfer to 4-year colleges for 2,500 community college students. Reports that past academic performance was the strongest predictor of eventual transfer. Concludes community colleges contribute to social stratification in higher education. (DB)

A 1997 Texas law requires universities to admit the top 10% percent of seniors from each Texas high school, opening a door for many Hispanic and Black seniors in schools with high minority populations. Observers are concerned some students may be underprepared for university work. Elite public universities around the country are watching to see if…

For college admissions and publications officers, a focus group of college-bound high school students can offer quick, anecdotal information about the general effectiveness of recruitment materials as well as about specific messages, themes, or design approaches. The insights gained by one publications specialist through the use of focus groups…

Presents information on high school completers going directly from high school to college. The percentage enrolling reflects the accessibility of higher education and the value high school completers place on attending college. Between 1985 and 1996, the percentage of high school completers going directly to college increased from 58% to 65%. (SLD)

The director of a high school gifted education program discusses the transition from high school to college and reports on a survey of 97 gifted students four years after high school graduation. The survey addressed challenges and adjustments in the transition to college, whether students' high abilities were perceived as assets or liabilities,…

Most states have only a 2-year foreign-language requirement for college-bound students. Two 1999 federal initiatives--the Foreign Language Education Improvement Amendments and the Educational Excellence for All Children Act--provide support for expanding foreign-language education opportunities. Four exemplary Georgia middle-school programs are…

Discusses a study conducted by W. G. Bowen and D. Bok that develops hard empirical evidence about the benefits of using race-sensitive admissions to selective higher education. The database on which this study rests includes more than 80,000 undergraduates from 28 selective institutions. (SLD)

Examines counselors' perceptions regarding workplace skills and career development competencies requirements for work- and college-bound students using a sample consisting solely of high school counselors. Results indicate that counselors view work- and college-bound students as more similar than different in their need for developing required…

Dual-credit programs offer high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits while also using the credits toward high school graduation. This article examines the growing trend of dual-credit programs, surveying states' initiatives, quality issues, and types of courses offered. (EV)