Another thing that's changed

by IrishGuard, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 12:59 (8 days ago) @ domer.mq

is the way students understand what college even is. In the last decade of teaching upper middle class kids, it's astonishing how many more students think about college primarily through the lens of a four-year, consequence free "experience," rather than a training ground for thinking or self-discovery.

I probably have 30 kids right now whose priorities are: 1.) Somewhere warm, 2.) Is a "new" campus packed with student-friendly, fun ammenities, 3.) Has Greek life, and 3.) has SEC football (and if not down south than in California for the "vibes.") So, sure, be from the Chicago suburbs and pay out of state tuition to go to Miss St. to major in marketing. Makes sense.

This year, a senior in my class explained she chose Carnegie-Melon because she's fundamentally a STEM kid, but wanted a school that also took the arts seriously (in other words, an actual, legitimate reason for choosing a college.) Half the class looked at her like she had two heads.