<p>I was just wondering how many other parents on CC are also professors. My S is a sophomore now and I think working at a university makes me a little more aware of the admissions game and the need for preparation. I wondered if others feel the same.</p>
<p>I also see a great deal of "fit" discussion on CC. As someone working at a college, I think this really is an important factor. I see kids who seem like fish out of water at times while others seem like they are really at home at my university. Personally, I had a wonderful experience at college (many moons ago) and I think that may contribute to my desire to remain in this atmosphere. I would rather emphasize "fit" over "prestige" if push came to shove.</p>
<p>Technically, I’m an academic admin with teaching responsibilities. Yes, working at a college is definitely an advantage in terms of admission and fin aid procedures. WRT to fin aid, you’ve known for years that you need to brace yourself because that EFC is going to appear unreachable.</p>
<p>Personally, I think “fit” is overrated. If a kid decides he’s going to be happy, he probably will be. Of course, there are exceptions. I wouldn’t want to be the GLBT kid at an ultra-conservative church affliated campus or the kid from Los Angeles who went to the school of 600 in rural South Dakota. Still, most of us can grow where we’re planted.</p>
<p>I have adjuncted at 3 different institutions. I think it helps in looking at places for S and D. To me, fit is very important, but it seems to be a gut level sense of whether you can see yourself there or not.</p>
<p>I spent my first 12+ growing up years on college campuses (dad was an administrator, mom taught part-time). Then, mom became the college counselor at my private high school. Later on, I worked as an academic/career counselor for both undergrad & grad students in a business program at a state university and then as an administrator/faculty member/career adviser (I wore many hats!) for a grad health-care administration program at a private university. At both universities, I did recruiting and admissions.</p>
<p>And, yes, I think my experiences (both growing up and professionally) have been incredibly helpful.</p>
<p>There are lots of academics here. We’ve just been having a discussion on cell phone use in class if you dig back in this forum. I’m one of many teaching at a cc. While I believe strongly in the mission of my institution, I pushed my kids to achieve at a level where they would be stimulated by not only their professors, but their peer students.</p>
<p>^ Agreed, lots of academics on CC. I’m sure most would agree that fit is a personal issue. Some people might argue that MIT and Bob Jones University are same-same … others might see it differently.</p>
<p>I’m also a professor as is my husband. Been so for over 20 years, at several very top private US schools, and now at a public in Canada. And I’ve served on numerous accreditation reviews, I have personally visited and know faculty at so many schools, and have functioned as president of a very large professional association of professors. </p>
<p>It has helped but mostly because I personally find it so interesting. But it has also meant that I see the whole industry as one which is very heavy on marketing and ranking-game playing, grossly exaggerating the perceived differences between schools. And maybe unlike some parents, we assume grad school for our kids, we have confidence our kids can get exactly what they need from the school environment they will choose, we can’t possibly hold “ivy league” on some kind of pedestal, and we couldn’t care less about USNWR scores.</p>