Research and exploring ideas aren’t usually at the top priority of a student or their parents in choosing a college. “Getting a good job” or “moving away from home” are more common criteria for choosing colleges. However, universities are incubators for new knowledge. (Think: Google, which emerged from graduate work at Stanford ) Knowing the opportunities for students to participate in these thinking and innovation activities can add to the value of a college experience and the long term return of a college degree.
The Idea Factory – The Atlantic highlights the knowledge generation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and its impacts on our general welfare. While MIT’s ideas are worthy of consideration, for high school students and their parents, “The Idea Factory” inspires several questions to help in the college selection process:
- Does research interfere with teaching responsibilities for undergraduates?
- How, if at all, does my tuition subsidize research activities?
- Can I participate in research activities, as an undergraduate? How?
- What assistance will I be given to transform my research into job opportunities, if needed?
The more investigation a student completes before applying or enrolling increases confidence in selecting a fitting institution for the individual student. And, why not exhaust oneself in research, given rising college expenses and 18 years of efforts to be competitive for admissions?
