What if the secret to success...

[33girl]

Meh.

Some people don't test well, period. Some people don't shine until they get into a sorority (or vice versa). We all have sisters who we thought just joined to party and ended up bleeding for the sorority...and those with high GPAs, glowing resumes and personal recommendations who ended up being big blobs of lard.

As far as people who shouldn't go to college, that is largely the fault of the parents who just don't want to hear that Susie could make way more and be way happier as a hairdresser than she would as a doctor. All the tests in the world aren't going to change that - mainly because a lot of the time it's their own kid telling them they don't want to go.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Meh.

Some people don't test well, period. Some people don't shine until they get into a sorority (or vice versa).

Pretty much.

I know that I didn't come into my own until I got to college. One of the nice things about college is that, for the most part, you're starting out with a clean slate. While sororities need recommendations essentially vouching for you, they're not getting a full "character summary" and I don't think they need it.

[DubaiSis]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Meh.

Some people don't test well, period. Some people don't shine until they get into a sorority (or vice versa). We all have sisters who we thought just joined to party and ended up bleeding for the sorority...and those with high GPAs, glowing resumes and personal recommendations who ended up being big blobs of lard.

As far as people who shouldn't go to college, that is largely the fault of the parents who just don't want to hear that Susie could make way more and be way happier as a hairdresser than she would as a doctor. All the tests in the world aren't going to change that - mainly because a lot of the time it's their own kid telling them they don't want to go.

I'm confused by your response. This isn't what the article is saying at ALL. It's saying that there are better determiners for life-success than grades and those things are quantifiable.

And someone correct me if I'm wrong but aren't there lots of studies that say students who went to college make X amount more than those who didn't, but those who go to podunk U are just as likely to make the big bucks as those who went to an Ivy League school? That getting into the super-competitive school (as a result of good grades) is not a predictor of long-term success? But of course, this study defines success as things other than money.

I don't think this exact survey could work in rush, but I could picture some sort of variation on this being usable. Yes, 4 teacher evaluations from high school would be great, but that is completely unrealistic and I hadn't even thought of that. Or just using some of these questions in conversation, although this would have to be done skillfully. Maybe in a colony environment?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I'm confused by your response. This isn't what the article is saying at ALL. It's saying that there are better determiners for life-success than grades and those things are quantifiable.

And someone correct me if I'm wrong but aren't there lots of studies that say students who went to college make X amount more than those who didn't, but those who go to podunk U are just as likely to make the big bucks as those who went to an Ivy League school? That getting into the super-competitive school (as a result of good grades) is not a predictor of long-term success? But of course, this study defines success as things other than money.

I don't think this exact survey could work in rush, but I could picture some sort of variation on this being usable. Yes, 4 teacher evaluations from high school would be great, but that is completely unrealistic and I hadn't even thought of that. Or just using some of these questions in conversation, although this would have to be done skillfully. Maybe in a colony environment?

My college comment was re victoriana's response - i.e. that there are many people in college who SHOULD NOT be in college.

And this survey = a test. Maybe someone who was a great big slacker ass in high school because they hated it there will do a 180 in college. As for using it in rush, I can't imagine asking someone "so, do you usually keep your temper in check?"

Not only that, I would argue that getting a high score on these things doesn't always show "character." They could also show "terrifed to do anything wrong because my parents might beat the crap out of me."