Taps is played every home game at 7:00 p.m.  The game stops.  Players, coaches, umpires, and fans stop in absolute quiet as Taps is played at the adjacent cemetery.

This is college 'Beyond the College Brochure.

Here is the link to a video report on the event.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ6YYrmw-qA 

Why not do the same thing before you sign with a college?

If you’ve ever bought a house, you know the dance. You spend your weekends at open houses, walking across polished hardwood floors and admiring the quartz countertops. You check the "must-have" list—maybe for you, it’s a laundry room on the main level because you’re done hauling baskets up from the basement.

You compare the school districts. You look at the HOA fees. You imagine your life inside those walls. It’s a game of "Comparison." You’re looking for the best fit from a set of options.

But once you find "the one"—before you sign that thirty-year mortgage commitment—you do something very different. You don't call a decorator. You call an inspector. A housing inspector. 
But a college can "offer" a major the same way a house can "have" a roof. The real question— is whether that roof is going to be there, in good condition, when the storm hits in year three.

Families are committing four years of their children’s lives and six figures in college costs on the "curb appeal" of an admissions brochure. They are walking into that  hundred-thousand-dollar contract without ever looking behind the walls.

They call it the "Heart of the Martindale-Brightwood community."

For nearly fifty years, Martin University in Indianapolis has stood as a unique light—a place specifically designed for the "non-traditional" student. The mother working a full-time job. The veteran looking for a new mission. It was a place that offered something few others did: free child care, flexible hours, and a promise that it was never too late to start.

But as the winter of 2025 settled over Indiana, that light began to flicker.

From now until Mary finishes here Finance and Marketing double major at Lindenwood University (MO), we are going to journey with her..

In this episode, Mary shared what it is like to make a college decision as a student-athlete and more. 

In future episodes, Mary will update us on her final semester of study along with preparations for her job search.

Takeaways

• There has been a significant trend of college closures recently.
• Families should be cautious about the financial health of colleges.
• Admissions reps may not disclose financial issues of colleges.
• Georgetown University provides a useful ROI ranking for colleges.
• The College Viability app is a valuable tool for comparisons.
• Colleges are more eager to enroll students than vice versa.
• Enrollment trends are crucial for assessing college stability.
• Advertising enrollment rates can be misleading.
• Graduating from college is essential for job market success.
• Higher education offers unique learning and personal growth opportunities.

Here are the questions Mary has for Dr. Stocker this week.

1. What has been the trend of college closures in recent years?
2. What should students and families know about the college admissions process in light of current trends?
3. Is there a way to evaluate the potential return on investment for a certain college?
4. How can student and families effectively compare multiple colleges to make an informed decision?
5. What does the process look like after a college application is submitted?
6. Does financial instability have an impact on a school’s athletics program?
7. How do declining enrollment numbers affect a college's stability?
8. What advice do you have for families who are anxious about the future of higher education?

Mary asks questions from the perspective of a student and their family.

Watch this episode to hear:
+ What factors contribute to a college’s financial stability?
+ Does the financial instability of a college have a negative effect on its reputation?
+ What role do state and federal funding play in the stability of public colleges?
+ Are there specific types of colleges or programs that are more likely to experience financial troubles/ a closure?
+ How do declining enrollment numbers impact a college’s finances?
+ Are there specific strategies that colleges can implement to prevent closures?
+ What steps does the college take to ensure that students can complete their degrees in the event of program changes or closures?
+ What lessons can be learned from recent college closures?

1. What would you say to the students and families who are concerned about the ability to transfer credits if their college is facing financial issues?
2. Which college ranking publication is the best?
3. Are college admission essays a big deal?
4. What is tuitionfit.org?
5. Is it common for colleges to mislead students and families with the “sticker price” of the school?
6. What factors might influence a college’s decision to increase/decrease its tuition?
7. What’s your #1 piece of advice for a high school student just beginning the college decision process?
8. How can students and families trust that the information a college is giving them is correct?

 Do you want to learn more about the financial health of colleges?  Go to the College Viability web site.

00:00
Introduction to College Financial Concerns

03:24
Navigating College Credit Transfers

06:05
The Value of College Rankings

08:18
Understanding Tuition Pricing and Discounts

12:12
Advice for High School Students on College Decisions

15:59
Conclusion and Resources for Families

Summary In this episode, Mary McGrath and Gary Stocker discuss the financial instability of colleges and its impact on reputation, alumni, and faculty. They highlight the importance of using tools like the College Viability App to assess the financial health of colleges before making decisions. They also discuss the annual revision of tuition and financial aid offerings, the lack of support systems for faculty and staff in the event of sudden college closures, and the differences between attending private and public institutions. The episode concludes with a discussion on the characteristics that distinguish higher-level institutions.

Here are the question Mary has for Gary Stocker (founder of College Viability) this week.

1. Does the financial instability of a college have a negative effect on its reputation?
2. (Following up) Can it have an effect on recent alumni when they are out looking for a job?
3. How often does a college revise its tuition and financial aid offerings?
4. Are there specific support systems in place for faculty and staff in the event of a sudden college closure?
5. Is there a specific amount of time that institutions are required to give students and faculty before officially closing?
6. What’s the biggest pro and biggest con to attending a private institution rather than a public one?
7. Are faculty and staff more informed about the state of college’s financial situation than students and prospective students?
8. What are the primary characteristics that distinguish a “higher level” institution?

Takeaways

• The financial instability of a college can have a negative impact on its reputation, but this usually happens after news stories or cutbacks are announced.
• Using tools like the College Viability App can help students and families assess the financial health and viability of colleges before making decisions.
• Colleges often revise their tuition and financial aid offerings annually, but many also offer tuition discounts to offset the increases.
• In the event of a sudden college closure, there are usually no specific support systems in place for faculty and staff.
• Attending a private institution may have pros such as alumni networks, but public institutions often have more college sports opportunities.
• Faculty and staff are usually more informed about a college's financial situation than students and families.
• Higher-level institutions are often distinguished by factors such as endowment size, rankings, and the ability to sell their product rather than buy studen

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:53   Using the College Viability App to Assess College Financial Health

05:33  Faculty and Staff Awareness of College Financial Situation

08:14   Pros and Cons of Attending Private Institutions

09:40  Distinguishing Higher Level Institutions

12:28   Conclusion

1. What would you say to the students and families who are concerned about the ability to transfer credits if their college is facing financial issues?

2. Does the quality of education decline if experienced faculty and staff are laid off due to financial trouble?

3. Are there more likely to be limited resources at a school in financial distress vs. one that is not?

4. Do budget cuts have an effect on the campus safety measures at a school?

5. Do financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships and grants, decrease when a school is in financial trouble?

6. What is the broader impact on the community if a local college were to close its doors?

7. How do colleges balance tuition increases with the need to remain affordable for students and families?

8. What steps does the college take to ensure that students can complete their degrees in the event of program changes or closures?

Summary

In this episode, Mary McGrath and Dr. Gary Stocker discuss the financial health of colleges and the potential impact on students and families. They address concerns about transferring credits, the quality of education, limited resources, campus safety, financial aid opportunities, the impact on local communities, tuition increases, and college closures. They also discuss the steps colleges take to ensure students can complete their degrees in the event of closure.

Takeaways

• Get ahead of potential financial issues at your college by exploring transfer options and comparing how many transfer credits each college will accept.
• Colleges facing financial trouble may have limited resources, which can impact the quality of education and campus safety measures.
• Financial aid opportunities such as scholarships and grants may decrease at colleges in financial distress.
• The closure of a local college can have a significant impact on the community's economy and cultural assets.
• Colleges often raise tuition but also increase tuition discounts to attract students, which can strain their financial health.
• Colleges that are at risk of closing may offer teach-out opportunities for students to complete their degrees, but there is a risk of transferring to another financially troubled college.

Sound Bites

• "Get ahead of it...get out, get ahead."
• "Colleges need students, a lot more than students need any individual college."
• "Get that college education in four years. Get on with it, make some money, and don't let anything get in your way."

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

1. What is a need-based scholarship?
2. What does a Board of Trustees do?
3. How does a college come to the decision that it must merge with another institution?
4. Can an endowment be used to help a struggling college?
5. What is a presidential scholarship?
6. What are some of the IPEDS reports from the College Viability app?
7. What are the 4 best comparisons to use when looking at colleges?
8. What is the College Viability Manifesto?

Here is a brief AI summary of the podcast.

The podcast discusses college finances and decisions. Key points include:

• Different types of financial aid: need-based (FAFSA-based), merit-based (academic or extracurricular achievements), loans (federal and parent), and work-study.
• Scholarships are often discounts rather than direct funds.
• Importance of considering college financial health: enrollment trends, graduation rates, endowments, and tuition revenue can indicate a college's stability.
• The role of college boards and their fiduciary responsibility.
• The impact of college closures and the increasing need for mergers.
• The College Viability Manifesto emphasizes the importance of college education, graduation, and considering the financial health of colleges before enrollment.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

Summary

In this episode, Mary McGrath and Dr. Gary Stocker discuss college rankings, college admissions, online courses, indicators of financial distress in colleges, and the value of a college degree. They emphasize that college rankings are subjective and not necessarily indicative of a college's quality. They also highlight the importance of social experiences in college and the role of accrediting agencies in ensuring educational quality. Additionally, they discuss the admissions process and the factors colleges consider when admitting students. They conclude by discussing the potential financial benefits of a college degree.

keywords

college rankings, college admissions, online courses, financial distress, college degree

takeaways

• College rankings are subjective and should not be the sole factor in choosing a college.
• Social experiences and extracurricular activities are important aspects of the college experience.
• Accrediting agencies ensure educational quality but focus more on inputs than outputs.
• Colleges consider various factors, such as grades, extracurricular activities, and interviews, when admitting students.
• Taking online courses can be a flexible option, but it may limit social interactions.
• Indicators of financial distress in colleges include declining enrollment, decreasing tuition and fee revenue, and low admissions yield.
• A college degree does not guarantee a higher income, but it demonstrates persistence and can lead to better job opportunities.
• The choice of college major can impact future earning potential.

titles

• Pros and Cons of Online Courses
• Factors Considered in College Admissions

Sound Bites

• "The ranking services, while they try and promote that they are objective, in large part is just opinion based on what the people who do the surveys, who do the ranking publications do."
• "Colleges try and improve their rankings. What does it tell the consumer? The difference between 125 and 145 is nothing."
• "As long as you show some capability to breathe and have a heartbeat, in many cases, they're going to accept you."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

03:08
Factors Considered in College Admissions

06:33
The Importance of the Social Aspect of College

10:37
Indicators of a College's Financial Distress

17:10
The Relationship Between a College Degree and Future Income

18:49
Conclusion

 Here are the questions Gary answers for this week's episode.

1. Which college ranking publication is the best?
2. What college has the best 4-year graduation rate? The worst?
3. How does a college determine who to admit or reject?
4. What does the process look like after a college application is submitted?
5. What is an accrediting agency?
6. Can a student only take online courses in college?
7. What are the indicators of a college in distress?
8. Does a college degree guarantee a higher income?

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

1. Are students and parents in denial when they have concerns about their college’s financial health?
2. Gary, in your ‘This Week in College Viability’ podcast, you regularly say: “let’s go into the data.” What does that mean?
3. Are college admission essays a big deal?
4. Can students and families get a refund on their tuition?
5. What does is mean when a school says they are a “liberal arts institution”?
6. What is tuitionfit.org?
7. What is an endowment?
8. What are some examples of podcasts or videos that students and families can access to guide them in the college-decision making process?

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here. 

1. As I’m sure you’ve seen in the news, Vanderbilt University has reached $100,000 in attendance costs- do you think this was really necessary or this institution just raising the price because they are able to?
2. Is it common for colleges to mislead students and families with the “sticker price” of the school?
3. Can you explain all the components of the tuition bill? Are there any hidden fees?
4. Are there flexible payment plans available for tuition?
5. What are the primary characteristics that distinguish a “higher level” institution?
6. How does the availability of resources differ between colleges of different levels?
7. How does the teaching style differ between smaller classes and larger lecture-based classes?
8. Gary, can you give us an update on the status of the Fall 2024 FAFSA Debacle?

Here is a summary of the podcast.

This episode of the Beyond the College Brochure podcast discusses the increasing cost of higher education, particularly focusing on the rising tuition fees at prestigious universities like Vanderbilt.

• College Costs: The hosts explore the concept of "sticker price" versus actual cost, emphasizing the importance of financial aid and scholarships in reducing the overall burden.
• College Value: The discussion delves into the factors that differentiate higher-priced institutions from lower-priced ones, such as reputation, resources, and class sizes.
• College Industry Challenges: The podcast highlights the financial struggles faced by many colleges, including the potential for closures due to declining enrollment and rising costs.
• Student Advice: The hosts offer advice to students and parents on navigating the college application process, including the importance of understanding financial aid packages and considering the overall value of a college education.

Overall, the podcast provides insights into the complexities of college affordability and encourages listeners to be informed consumers when making higher education decisions.

Key Points:

• College tuition costs are rising rapidly.
• Financial aid and scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of college.
• The perceived value of a college often influences its cost.
• Many colleges are facing financial challenges, which could lead to closures.
• Students and parents should carefully evaluate college options based on both cost and value.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

1. Is it common for colleges that are not in any financial distress/at risk of closure to cut certain majors and/or programs?
2. Does a college closure have a negative effect on a recent graduate from that school? (such as finding a job)
3. Are faculty and staff more informed about the state of college’s financial situation than students and prospective students?
4. Does a school’s acceptance rate and scholarships/grants become less competitive when the school is in financial trouble?
5. Are college closures more common in a certain region of the country?
6. How often does a college revise its tuition and financial aid offerings?
7. Is it common for colleges to deceive students and families about its financial state?
8. How can students a families trust that the information a college is giving them is correct?

College Viability series of Apps
 

2024 Private College Viability app for Faculty & Staff (Enterprise-wide license for $300)

2024 Private College Viability app for Students & Families ($29)

PUBLIC COLLEGE APPS
Faculty & Staff version (Enterprise-wide license for $300)

Students & Family version ($29)

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

Submit your questions to marym@collegeviability.com

1. How important are rankings versus fit when deciding on a college?
2. How does the college support students in managing their finances and budgeting?
3. Are there provisions for appealing financial aid decisions, and what is the process?
4. What are the potential hidden costs beyond tuition and fees that students and families should consider?
5. What’s the biggest pro and biggest con to attending a private institution rather than a public one?
6. What steps does the college take to ensure that students can complete their degrees in the event of program changes or closures?
7. Does a college closure affect the difficulty of transfers a student’s credits to another institution?
8. How does the college communicate with students and families about financial challenges or potential closures?

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

1) How are colleges using alternative revenue streams (e.g., online courses, partnerships with industry) to improve financial health?

2) How do colleges decide which academic programs to expand, maintain, or cut?

3) What factors might influence a college’s decision to increase/decrease its tuition?

4) How do colleges balance tuition increases with the need to remain affordable for students and families?

5) Are colleges adapting their financial strategies in response to demographic shifts such as declining high school graduates or changes in student demographics?

6) Are there specific support systems in place for faculty and staff in the event of a sudden college closure?

7) Do college closures have any economic impact on the communities they reside in?

8) Is there a specific amount of time that institutions are required to give students and faculty before officially closing?

This week Mary asks about:

1.  The trend in short-notice college closures
2.  How to determine if a major or program at a college is at risk of being cut.
3.  Her research shows that many believe colleges shouldn't be run as a business.  Don't miss Gary's response on that one.
4.  Mary also challenges Gary on his belief that college financial catastrophe is just around the corner.
5.   Finally, Gary is asked if college is a good thing.  You might be surprised at his passionate response.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

2. How many colleges will close in the next 6 months?

3.  What types of colleges are at risk for closing?

4.  What can students and their families do to limit their risk of choosing a college that might close?

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.

Get the College Viability Student & Family updates here.