411: Finding Your Why, What a Liberal Arts Education Really Is, and How to Figure out What You Actually Want
Dec 5, 2023
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Guests Maria Furtado and Ann Marano discuss the college search process, debunk affordability myths, and emphasize the importance of keeping students at the center. They explore liberal arts education, ways to explore colleges without visiting, and the significance of student agency in the admissions process.
Keeping students at the center of the college search process leads to a more fulfilling and successful college experience.
A liberal arts education promotes interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Private colleges often have substantial resources to support students from different income backgrounds; students should explore financial aid opportunities and responsible borrowing.
Deep dives
Importance of Student-Centered Search
The podcast episode explores the concept of keeping students at the center of the college search process. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and prioritizing the values, goals, and interests of the student. By focusing on these individual aspects, students can create their own rankings list and find colleges that align with their unique needs and aspirations. The episode highlights the significance of student-centered decision-making and how it can lead to a more fulfilling and successful college experience.
Understanding Liberal Arts Education
The podcast episode dives into the essence of a liberal arts education. It explains that the liberal arts encompass a diverse range of subjects and promote interdisciplinary learning. Students are encouraged to explore a breadth of disciplines, enabling them to develop a well-rounded education. The episode provides examples of liberal arts programs, such as studying classic literary works or engaging in service-oriented internships. It emphasizes the benefits of a liberal arts education, such as critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to connect knowledge across various areas.
Busting Affordability Myths
The podcast episode challenges common affordability myths associated with private colleges. It urges students and families to look beyond the sticker price and explore the financial aid opportunities available. The episode emphasizes that private colleges often have substantial endowments and resources to support students from different income backgrounds. It also encourages responsible borrowing and highlights the importance of seeking financial support from various sources, including scholarships and grants. The episode aims to dispel misconceptions about the affordability of private colleges and empower students to consider these institutions as viable options.
Practical Steps for Finding the Right College
The podcast episode provides practical steps for students to find the right college for them. It suggests starting with a values exercise, where students brainstorm and prioritize the values that are important to them. Students are advised to create their own rankings list based on their individual values and criteria. The episode also encourages students to engage with virtual resources, connect with current students and faculty, and ask meaningful questions. It highlights the importance of staying student-centered throughout the college search process and celebrating the unique journey of each student.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Students in the College Search
The podcast episode concludes with a reminder that students are in control of their college search journey. It emphasizes the significance of self-reflection and identifying personal goals and values. The episode encourages students to embrace their individuality and find colleges that align with their aspirations. It also reminds students to celebrate every step of the process and approach the search with confidence and excitement. The episode serves as a reminder to breathe, stay focused on personal growth, and trust in the ability to find the right college fit.
On Season 1 of the podcast, Ethan had a great conversation with Maria Furtado, then Executive Director of the Colleges That Change Lives organization (also known as “CTCL”). It’s a lovely chat and to date one of our most downloaded episodes.
On today’s episode Ethan had the pleasure of sitting down with her successor, Ann Marano, and they get into:
Where to start when it comes to the college search
How to myth bust yourself (a practical exercise)
What questions to ask when you’re searching for a college
Some things Ann and Ann and Ethan wished they had done differently when they went through the process themselves
Busting some affordability myths
What it means to keep a student at the center of the college search
If you’ve never met Ann, you should know that she is a proud first-generation college graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University (CA) who earned her M.A. in Education-Psychology from Pepperdine. She’s served on several counselor advisory boards, including the Common Application Board of Directors and the Johns Hopkins University Access Advisory Board. After 20 years in college admissions counseling at several different universities and high schools and 12 years as the college bound advisor at the first all girls’ public school in the state of Texas, Ann Marano moved into the role of Executive Director for the Colleges That Change Lives.
We hope you enjoy the conversation.
Play-by-Play
1:57 - What is CTCL and what is Ann’s role as Executive Director?
3:58 - What’s it like to be a student at a liberal arts college?
8:09 - What kind of student is right for a liberal arts college?
10:01 - What’s a good place to start in the college search process?
14:49 - How to combat myths about colleges
19:04 - What are some questions that are important for students and families to be asking themselves as they go through this process?
25:52 - An exercise for picturing yourself on a college campus
29:45 - What would Ann and Ethan have done differently in college?
32:04 - How does a student get a sense of a school if they're not able to visit the campus?
34:15 - College affordability at private schools
39:17 - What are some tips for parents about keeping students at the center of the search?
43:56 - Another example of what it’s like to be a student at a liberal arts college
48:27 - An exercise students can do to begin this process of finding a great college
