The Race/Class Bias of College Rankings

The second to last paragraph of President Bullock’s Telegraph Op-ed essay regarding what to consider when planning to apply to an undergraduate college/university involves an inference which is simply not sound. The Ivy League school student he mentions may or may not have enjoyed the personalized environment described by President Bullock. What is left out of this scenario is the matter of “compensating factors” which are no less relevant to future quality of life and which can be quite person-specific. To make any credible inference about future outcomes simply on the basis of whether or not certain supportive factors were in place for that student is truly something of a stretch. Moreover, however personalized one’s experience may be at a given college, students and parents/guardians must always include in their screening processes questions and concerns about the capacity of specific institutions to foster, promote and develop the technical skills and social sensibilities one should expect of any reputable college/university. Examine carefully faculty qualifications and experience, request information regarding entrance requirements-their why and wherefore, ask for specific information about retention rates-what percent of students are graduating, what percent of graduates apply to graduate/professional schools-what percent of that group are accepted-ask for the identities of those school. In short, you will surely want to know as much as you can about the value your degree will have if and when you seek to enter professional school or a specific field of employment. Finally, know yourself, especially what it is about your own “take” on life that makes the “college thing” appealing. There are many colleges and universities in this country having very demanding entrance requirements often coupled with the expectation of self-directedness. These are institutions that take for granted a commitment to be challenged and to grow. While they are not unmindful of the importance of personalized support services for students who may experience difficulty in getting under way during their first term, the development of the capacity to take hold of life withal its challenges is always on-going at those campuses-so my advice is See yourself 5-6 years out, mull that vision over and over again, keeping in mind that it is in your own interest not only to size up the quality and range of supportive services (formal and informal)offered students by any specific institution but also to assess your own state of readiness. In the end it is this sense of responsibility to yourself that is critical when determining to which colleges/universities you apply.

When I was trying to decide about where to go to Seminary my decision was really quite simple. I checked out most of the United Methodist Seminaries and UDTS. At UDTS I found faculty and staff as well as current students who were really interested in having me, a 53 year old non-traditional student, be part of their educational and spiritual experience. I did not experience this at other seminaries. I also found an institution that really was committed to preparing pastors for service in our smaller often rural churches. This I knew was where I was being “called” to ministry. I found teachers who lived their faith and were willing to share that most personal side of themselves with me. I’m still blessed 20 years later to call some of these people my friends and mentors. The happiest and most fulfilling years of my life, and my wife’s began when I enrolled at UDTS.

I appreciate your post Dr. Bullock and wanted to relate it to Dubuque’s PA program. After interviewing at Dubuque, I stopped by the faculty offices on the first floor of Peters commons to drop off some thank-you notes. There I ran into Dr. Karkow, one of Iowa’s former top surgeons and the director of the didactic side of the PA program here. He is a man of faith and strong character, who takes a deep interest in the success of his students. He and I talked about medical mission trips to Mexico, raising kids, and what goes into making a successful PA school. That night I drove down to the marina on the Mississippi river and sat at a picnic table watching the fire flies and writing home to my wife. I told her that this is the best school I have found, and that if she agrees, this is where I’d like to go.

Dubuque PA program is only in its second year, but by national standardized tests it is in the top third of the country academically. It is also in the 3rd percentile for least expensive and it has the happiest faculty and students I have come across.

UDPA fosters an environment in which students and faculty look out for each other and stick together. As one example, when I got really sick during midterms three students made me food. Others sent me study guides and studied with me, repeating concepts over and over until I understood them, so that I passed all the tests. Another time, when I went to meet with Professor Appleton about a failed a test, she showed me all the things I had done well and said I did a really good job in other aspects, and then we came up with a plan for doing better on what I missed in the future. I think I have the best classmates and faculty in the world.

One event that was particularly enjoyable was an apple picking and cider making get together hosted by one of our professors. Another was team building on the low ropes course at four mounds. Sometimes friends in other programs call us to complain about their PA programs. As students at UD, we listen and sympathize, but try not to say too much. I don’t know what it is like to go to a bad or mediocre program, because I go to the best. It may not have the recognition, but the University of Dubuque is the top physician assistant school in the country. Hands down.