THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012
ADMISSIONS
PAGE 13
New standards don't increase job outlook
VICTORIA PITCHER editor@kansan.com
The University admission changes have raised standards, but experts say it won't have an effect on job outlook for graduates.
"It's a lot about the experience," said Nancy Defenbaugh, branch manager at Manpower at 211 E 8th St. in Lawrence. Defenbaugh said "real life" experience is the best thing for graduates. Manpower is a company that helps people find work in almost any field.
On June 20, the board of regents approved new admission standards for the University. Now entering students must meet one of two standards. According to a KU news release, the first is a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and a score of 24 on the ACT. The second requirement is a minimum
of 3.25 high school GPA and a 21 on the ACT. Students who do not meet the two requirements will have their applications reviewed by a committee. The new requirements will not go into effect until the year 2016.
The changes were made as a way to ensure incoming students are better prepared for college. The University was also looking for ways to increase graduation and retention rates.
"We wanted to increase the rate of success of students," Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said.
Along with admission standards, the University is also looking into improving academic support in regards to advising and mentoring.
But, whether that increases the success of finding a job after graduating, is unsure.
"I think the idea behind it is definitely good that they want to try and ratchet up the academic standing," said Brian Danley, a graduate student in Economics from Barlesville, Okla.
But Danley said the effect the higher standards will have on job outlook would depend on what the student is doing. Danley said a university's prestige is more important when looking into grad schools than looking for jobs.
Defenbaugh said where you go to school and how tough it is to get admitted won't make a difference in the job search. Defenbaugh said that education is important, but the universities should push internships. When employers are looking to hire, they are going to look at experience.
—Edited by Maegan Mathiasmeier
The new admissions standards set the University apart from other public colleges in the state
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
3.0 GPA & 24 ACT OR 3.25 GPA & 21 ACT
Source: Universities' websites Graphic by Megan Boxberger
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY 2.0 GPA & 21 ACT
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY 2.0 GPA OR 21 ACT OR rank in top third of graduating class
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
2.0 GPA OR 21 ACT OR rank in top third of graduating class
EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY 2.0 GPA OR 21 ACT OR rank in top third of graduating class
STATE
Kansas denied waiver to No Child Left Behind
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas isn't among the latest five states granted relief from a No Child Left Behind requirement that all students test proficient in math and science by 2014.
But the head of the Kansas Department of Education says she
State Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker said Friday that the last issue being discussed was the state's plan for changing how it evaluates teachers and principals.
expects that the announcement is coming soon.
After Congress failed to change the law, President Barack Obama told states last fall they could seek a waiver around the uripopular proficiency requirements in exchange for actions his administration favors. Revamping evaluations is among the priorities.
DeBacker says federal officials like that the state is piloting a new evaluation system. She says prospects for obtaining a waiver are "looking good."
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