College Matters

Joyce Putnam Curll, The Best Law Schools’ Admission Secrets: The Essential Guide from Harvard’s Former Admissions Dean

Since I’ve advised multiple people with various liberal arts degrees to consider law school as an option, when I found this as an Amazon recommendation for me, I had to check it out. It’s an excellent resource, coming to you directly from a voice of experience. The book is well organized and practical, which is refreshing. It’s not simply limited to law admissions, either - Ms. Curll wants her readers to seriously consider whether or not law school is the right path for each of them. She provides insightful questions for the reader’s consideration regarding law as a career choice.

Additionally, the book provides guidance for those pursuing law as a career from varied vantage points. It is not limited to either those currently working on bachelors’ degrees or to recent graduates. She offers information for everyone, including individuals finding or changing careers and/or going back to school later in life.

The Best Law Schools’ Admissions Secrets should be utilized by law school applicants the way the annually published Guide to Literary Agents is utilized by prospective authors. Ms. Curll offers detailed information about recommendation letters, opening statements, and how to self-market.

James W. Loewen, Lies My Teacher Told Me

This is a book sure to infuriate conservatives and stroke the egos of liberals – but in these extreme reactions the true value of this stunning and enlightening attack on secondary education textbooks is, unfortunately, brushed aside.

While I do not agree with every single one of Loewen’s interpretations of the “truth” of American history, it doesn’t matter – that’s not his point. His point is that American history textbooks leave out alternate perspectives entirely, and often present one perspective that is undoubtedly erroneous (to say the least).

Historians too often get caught up in “facts,” particularly facts that prove whatever thesis they may wish to propagate. In the secondary schools, the truth – which is to say, multiple perspectives, since there is no one “truth” – is further hindered by the ultimate agenda of the school system itself. Instead of producing productive citizens who can think for themselves and strive to change the flaws in the political system, secondary schools choose to encourage hive mentality.

This book is a must-read for every single person in the United States, and it is particularly imperative for historians themselves. A sociologist’s perspective is helpful in broadening historical ideology.

Po Bronson, What Should I Do With My Life?

Bronson proves that inspiration can be found in the practical experience of others, in this eloquent but straightforward collection of individual perspectives on finding purpose and meaning in life. What is most interesting about the book is that not everyone Bronson examines finds a meaningful purpose, although all remain on the path. It’s enlightening – and hopeful – to read about others’ continuing struggle rather than the successful conclusion of that struggle. It makes one realize that sometimes finding happiness is not cut out of a personally defined gift box. This is definitely a must-read for every student as well as everyone dissatisfied with his or her career goals.

Louis Rosen, College Is Not For Everyone

Rosen can certainly be complimented for considering the possibility of avoiding college. However, College Is Not For Everyone unintentionally perpetuates the myth that a formal college education is somehow superior to different paths to success. The “other options” are tinged with slight social snobbery – again, probably unintentional – by suggesting that not everyone in high school has the talent, intelligence, and focus supposedly required of college coursework. It’s almost a way of saying that it’s okay to be a “failure” or to be “inferior” – because there are consolation prizes.

Dr. Andrew Kadar, The No-Bull Guide to Acing College Life

Unwittingly, perhaps, this book illustrates exactly what is wrong with college in America today. It is a tragically accurate guide to succeeding in college – tragic because success in college has little if anything to do with knowledge or learning. In fact, it encourages avoidance of actual learning by explaining the advantages of bing-and-purge study methods essential for high exam grades. This is a great book if college is the path someone has chosen, because it does provide the most efficient path to success defined by social climbing and GPA. It offers tips for subverting university policies and regulations in order to complete any given degree plan in the quickest manner possible. Kadar is definitely a realist, and for someone looking for what is currently defined as academic achievement, this is a helpful guide.

Harlow J. Unger, But What If I Don’t Want to Go to College?

Subtitled “A Guide to Success Through Alternative Education,” Unger’s book is an extraordinarily useful piece. It provides specific details about several different types of vocation education career paths. This book is a classic; it’s had several different editions printed and I hope that new editions will continue – new forms of vocation education emerge constantly, as technology and our growing world create new vocations. Every high school senior and struggling college student should examine this book for new, unconsidered options.

Bryna J. Fireside, Choices for the High School Graduate

Fireside does an admirable job examining the wide variety of choices outside of the traditional college path. I recommend this book as an introduction to those choices, including the military, study abroad opportunities, and vocational training. For the individual who becomes interested in vocational training from this introduction, Unger’s But What If I Don’t Want to Go to College? is the perfect expansion. Fireside’s coverage of study abroad opportunities is the most intriguing and innovative part of the book, because many of the options she explores are (unfortunately!) woefully ignored. Students often have at least a basic familiarity with military options, due to aggressive recruitment strategies, but very few have any concept of the options for study abroad – and Fireside does a fabulous job introducing the details of these options.