Winds of Change Blow in California’s Higher Education Systems

Look for changes to the California Community Colleges (CCC) and California State University (CSU) system as the chancellors of both organizations, Jack Scott & Charles B. Reed, respectfully, retire in 2012.    Also, UC Berkeley’s Chancellor, Robert Birgeneau, will retire on Dec 31. Change may be what’s needed, as California again faces shrinking state funding and…

Continue Reading

Summer and the College Essay

Every summer, several parents of soon-to-be seniors contact Creative Marbles to ask about finishing college application essays before the next school year starts.  In parents’ minds, the thinking goes, “Summer’s a totally unstructured time.  Less distractions with school work and after-school activities.   The college essay is essential to a competitive application, and I want my…

Continue Reading

Campus “Vibe” vs. Academics: Why College Selection Takes the Whole Family

College students aren’t just gaining an education and future career training, they’re moving to a new community.  Parents often express concerns to Creative Marbles that their student is paying more attention to “atmosphere” or “how s/he feels on campus”–not “what do I want to study.”  These differences in perspective can create conflict, and also are…

Continue Reading

CA College Freshmen Moving Out of CA: A Shift or Temporary Reaction?

Since 2000, 90% more California resident high school grads are choosing to enroll in out of state colleges–both public and private.    While speculation from budget uncertainties in California to affordability of out-of-state tuition is circulating as reasons for the trend, Creative Marbles asks, “Are families and students simply approaching college as a consumer purchase, and…

Continue Reading

Fall 2012 UC Admissions More Competitive for Freshmen

The University of California released their admissions numbers for Fall 2012 Freshmen last week.   The uncertainty in the state budget and record number of applications  or Fall 2012 Freshmen admissions created additional competition and subjectivity in the admissions process.   UC Davis Chancellor, Linda Katehi, recently stated: UC Davis refused [Fall 2012] admissions to 1500 or…

Continue Reading