Private School Dominance of Universities Set to Continue

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is already showing concerns over the disproportionate numbers of students from relatively affluent backgrounds gaining university places. He recently voiced his ambition to promote greater social mobility in terms of education.

This year, a record 379,411 applicants gained entry to a university or college, while approximately 170,000 are expected to miss out on a place due to the unprecedented levels of competition being faced by school leavers.

Whilst many believed the introduction of the A* grade to be a beneficial means of identifying the brightest pupils, others see it as a further strategy for the continued dominance of private school students, who tend to achieve a higher percentage of the A* standard.

Many blame the universities for utilising the relatively new grading system as the sole means of determining the "best" pupils, foregoing the personal interviews aimed at the recognition of well-rounded and motivated individuals. By adhering to such convenient criteria, universities are being accused of encouraging the conveyor belt from private school to university.

In the latest examinations, private school students, who made up approximately 14% of all entries, accounted for 30% of the total number of A* grades awarded. By comparison, 30% of students from comprehensive or state schools also achieved the A*, but accounted for 43% of the exam entries.

The "social apartheid", a term used by Nick Clegg, has been a long standing issue within education, with private schools tending to dominate the top grade spectrum, and the subsequent allocation of university places.

This is not only the case in England, but in Scotland as well. This dividing element of private vs state is equally as notable north of the border, with private schools in Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Stirling contributing to the disproportionate educational landscape in Scotland.

However, there are a significantly reduced number of universities utilising the A* grade in their admission process, with Cambridge and Oxford amongst those ignoring the grade as an invaluable marker of superior academic ability. It is thought that only 13 universities have referred to the A* standard this year in their allocation of places.

For many students looking to secure a university place, the adoption or dismissal of the A* could make or break any hopes of further education, for this year at least.

Harvey McEwan writes to make insurance (especially car insurance!) a happier place

Six Reasons to Go to College

Are you a current high school student thinking about going to college? A working professional ready to explore other options and expand your knowledge? No matter who you are, or what stage in life you are at, there is something waiting for you at a 2 or 4-year university. Deciding to attend college is one of the biggest and best decisions an individual can make in their life. There are so many exciting and rewarding opportunities for you to take advantage of - everything from gaining valuable knowledge to establishing a strong network of contacts. Listed below are six top-notch reasons you should go to college today!

Knowledge. Knowledge is power. How far will you get without it? By investing in a college degree, you'll obtain knowledge and skills useful for getting a great job, building a solid career, and interpreting life on a different scale. For example, let's say you enroll at X University and major in English - you'll learn more than just technical and business writing. In your other core classes (aside from your major) you're exposed to philosophy (logic and brainstorming), sociology (understanding human behavior), psychology (how people think), and communication (speech improvement and people skills). All of these courses help build your development on a professional and personal level. In all, your college education gives you a leg up on the job market and provides you with extra skills to add to your "professional toolkit."

Money. Sure, it looks like nothing more than just a piece of paper, but that college degree will garner you more money than your non-degree holding peers. (In fact, people with college degrees earn an estimated 1.3 million more than people without). Isn't that a good enough reason to go to college? Also, if you're interested in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering fields you can expect to see starting salaries in the $50,000s. (However, this does depend on location, relevant experience, and other additional factors... but hey, it's a start!)

Networking. Clubs. Fraternities. Seminars. Conferences. All of these organizations or events offer an opportunity for you to rub shoulders with other peers, professionals or professors (the three most important P's) who can give you insight into job prospects, internships, assistantships or share any information which may be useful to maximize your collegiate experience and get a head start on building a career.

Experience. For college alumni, it's a badge of honor to say you spent your freshmen year with your best buddies collecting spare change to go eat out at the latest Thai restaurant or reminisce about the "good 'ol days." As most college graduates will tell you, college is more than just a place to get an education, it's a place to get experience and embrace life's ups and downs. It's all about learning and living, and college is the best place to do it.

Friendship/Relationships. What would life be like without friends? One could not even imagine. In college, you'll have quite a few people to choose from. It's the perfect place to spread your wings and find your BFF. If you're shy, or quiet don't worry - you can always join a club or develop a relationship with your roommate (if he or she isn't too weird..). College is the perfect place to develop long-lasting and life-long friends. Friends for life.

Job/Internships. One of the many benefits of going to college is being able to nab an internship. Colleges do a fantastic job of supplying students with career services like job/internship placement, and alumni mentors to help guide them in the process. Any student of any major has a fair chance of getting some much needed experience to pad the resume before treading into the "real world." If you're lucky, that internship may land you a full-time job. Sounds pretty good to me.

Janelle Howell
Organizational Development/Leadership Graduate Student