'Helicopter parents' lead to college intake rethink
Source: Agencies |
October 5, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MORE parents of college-bound teenagers in the United States are becoming involved in the admission process, posing new challenges for universities.
So-called "helicopter parents" - a term used to describe overly protective parents who hover over their children - have taken to calling college admission officers, filling in application forms for their offspring and even writing their personal essays in the hope that their children will get into a top institution.
"The big change was five years ago when parents began to be more active," said Jessica Eads, vice president of enrolment management at Hofstra University in New York.
Jerry Flanagan, the vice president of enrolment and marketing at Saint Michael's College in Vermont, attributes the rise to two factors - technology, such as mobile phones, Facebook and e-mail, which enables constant connectivity, and smaller families.
"The advances in technology have made it easier for families to hover. And you don't see the same large numbers in families, so you have a little bit more focus on your child," he said. "Cutting that umbilical cord psychologically is hard for some parents."
Whatever the reasons, 77 percent of nearly 400 admissions officers at the country's top 500 schools who were questioned in a survey said parental involvement is increasing. And 61 percent reported their school is doing something about it.
"Many schools are trying to remedy the situation," said Justin Serrano of Kaplan Inc, the educational and career services company that conducted the poll.
Colleges are offering separate websites, panels, tours and seminars for parents.
Eads believes most parents are just trying to help their children be educated consumers. But she added that admissions officers have a role to play. "That's the delicate dance we have to do, to make sure parents don't overshadow their students."
So-called "helicopter parents" - a term used to describe overly protective parents who hover over their children - have taken to calling college admission officers, filling in application forms for their offspring and even writing their personal essays in the hope that their children will get into a top institution.
"The big change was five years ago when parents began to be more active," said Jessica Eads, vice president of enrolment management at Hofstra University in New York.
Jerry Flanagan, the vice president of enrolment and marketing at Saint Michael's College in Vermont, attributes the rise to two factors - technology, such as mobile phones, Facebook and e-mail, which enables constant connectivity, and smaller families.
"The advances in technology have made it easier for families to hover. And you don't see the same large numbers in families, so you have a little bit more focus on your child," he said. "Cutting that umbilical cord psychologically is hard for some parents."
Whatever the reasons, 77 percent of nearly 400 admissions officers at the country's top 500 schools who were questioned in a survey said parental involvement is increasing. And 61 percent reported their school is doing something about it.
"Many schools are trying to remedy the situation," said Justin Serrano of Kaplan Inc, the educational and career services company that conducted the poll.
Colleges are offering separate websites, panels, tours and seminars for parents.
Eads believes most parents are just trying to help their children be educated consumers. But she added that admissions officers have a role to play. "That's the delicate dance we have to do, to make sure parents don't overshadow their students."
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