Campus confidential

(review from 2012, so is Totally Out-of-Date)
excellent book. I loved how the authors started the book by saying university isn't for everyone. and then went on to ask: do you like to read. not harlequinns or davinci's code, but real, books - because that's what ALOT of university is: reading. also, do you read the newspaper? are you interested in the world? there must a desire to learn if university is in your future.
here's lot's more i took in while reading this book:
SO many highschool graduates are going to university now. it used to be 15%, now it's over 50%
the new standard of education is now TWO degrees - the secondary degree, or additional college certificate (practical application of the knowledge), has replaced the regular undergraduate degree
the 'entitlement' generation is changing how universities work - with helicopter parents supported them, and lower respect for authority - they are making demands (higher marks, less work) and getting their way
it used to be standard that for every hour spent in class, another 2 were required in study / outside-of-class work. yet todays' university students spend a mere total of 14 hours in out-of-class work
universities, desperate for bums in their seats (and tuition in their bank accounts) are lowering their entry academic standard (that, and high schools marks are creeping up even though ability/excellence is not)
1/2 the first year students will have their grades drop by one letter - another quarter will have then drop by 2 letter grades
many students fail to graduate; many students falter in their first year (think of that THAT waste of money!)
colleges suffer from low self esteem, meanwhile they can offer alot of value for money
it costs about $1000 to court an international student but universities think it's a fine payoff for the increased tuition they'll pay. except most will apply for landed immigrant status after they've arrived and then they qualify for the local tuition cost
Quebec has lower tuition fees, yes. but only for Quebecers - it costs more to come from out-of-province
the enrollment of men (in university AND college) is declining. what is the future career for these boys? not to mention - in the past, degreed men married lesser-educated women, but now degreed women marry men with an equal education as them... so who are these educated woman going to marry?
some university graduates lack basic grammar and writing skills - these are things that need to be in place BEFORE you enter uni...
now i did take exception to their statement that universities don't like 'victory lap' students because, for the moment, the victory lap students DO get higher marks than their grade 12 classmates and DO fare better in acceptance to their uni of choice... but their idea that universities may, at the drop of a hat, only accept the marks from the first 12 years of schooling is a possibility that students should be prepared for.