What is a Jesuit Education? Why Attend A Jesuit University?

One of the distinctive features of the American higher educational system is its infinite variety.  There is a college for everyone.

One group of universities stands out in its dedication to the liberal arts and to the education of a person’s mind, body, and spirit.  The Jesuit universities share a mission to create well-founded individuals.

The 28 Jesuit institutions include some well-known universities, including Georgetown and anything with the name “Loyola” in it (Loyola Chicago, Loyola New Orleans, Loyola Marymount).  This group also includes names of great schools that have a familiar ring to them:  Creighton, Gonzaga, Marquette.

I had the good fortune to meet with the Assistant Dean of Admissions from Marquette University recently, and I asked her to explain what a Jesuit education is all about.

So here is Kate Metcalfe describing why you might consider a Jesuit education–at Marquette, or at any of the other 27 Jesuit colleges and universities.

Mark Montgomery
Educational Consultant


Top Colleges See Little Fall in Freshman Commitments

Jacques Steinberg of the New York Times reports today that Top Colleges See Little Fall in Freshman Commitments.

Unsurprisingly, students offered admission to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Pomona are accepting those offers at more or less the same rates as in years past. All of these schools have increased their financial aid budgets this year over last to ensure that yields stay constant.

But as Steinberg admits, only a small fraction of colleges have reported yield rates, and many colleges (including the likes of Georgetown) still have room in their freshman classes. The effects of the economic meltdown on college enrollments still remain to be seen, and we’re several weeks from having a full understanding of how the economy will affect both college budgets and the experience of the students who do matriculate.

Stay tuned.

Mark Montgomery
Independent College Consultant


May 11 UPDATE:  According to an article in today’s issue of The Dartmouth, Dartmouth College’s yield was 2% lower than last year, forcing the admissions office to pull 50-60 students off the wait list. This is not a huge decline, and probably something that would have made the news, were it not for the kooky economic situation.