On Educational Freedom

APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.

- From "The Waste Land, " T.S. Eliot

I've spent the majority of my career on a college campus. This time of year, I walk through archways of joyful balloons beckoning admitted students to enroll. It is bittersweet. I cannot help but think of the students who received the "thin letters" in response to their admissions applications. For many, April is the cruelest month.

Recently, I stumbled upon the following post from a visitor to Beijing. It provides an interesting window on the career aspirations, available choices, and hopes of Chinese university students.

Perspectives from China

While the SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT and MCAT still hold their own as key factors in the American admissions process, I must say that I am grateful for the choices and options that the U.S. system provides to students. While it is clear that the U.S. needs more engineers and computer scientists than are currently in the market place, it's great that our democratic form of government allows us to pursue our own career goals and interests! On that note, I'd almost say April "isn't the cruelest month," but given that it's tax season...