I Couldn't Get into College Today

Nor could I afford it evidently. A new report out lists the most expensive colleges in America, and DC's own George Washington University is leading the way at $39,000/year. This is of course before they get a book or a slice of pizza at Luigi's.

According to data (and an article on MSNBC's website) from The Chronicle of Higher Education, which tracks college costs, the 10 most expensive schools in the country averaged a tuition rise of 52 percent from 1999 to 2006 — nearly triple the 21 percent rise in the U.S. cost of living during the same period. George Washington's $37,820 tuition is 82 percent of the entire median annual family income of $46,326.

Here is a list of the top ten, according to Forbes Magazine:

1. George Washington University, Washington, DC - 2006-07 Tuition: $37,820
2. University of Richmond, Richmond, VA - 2006-07 Tuition: $36,550
3. Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY - 2006-07 Tuition: $36,088
4. Kenyon College, Gambier, OH - 2006-07 Tuition: $36,050
5. Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY - 2006-07 Tuition: $36,030
6. Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA - 2006-07 Tuition: $36,002
7. Bennington College, Bennington, VT - 2006-07 Tuition: $35,250
8. Columbia University, New York, NY - 2006-07 Tuition: $35,166
9. Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT - 2006-07 Tuition: $35,144
10. Trinity College, Hartford, CT - 2006-07 Tuition: $35,130

I went to the University at Albany for my undergraduate degree, which currently costs $4350 per year for New York residents (which I was). Out-of-state and international tuition is currently $10,610. Room, board, and fees costs is $10,194 per year. I received my Masters in Social Studies Education from the C. W. Post campus of Long Island University, where current graduate tuition costs $790 per credit.

All of this is compounded by the fact that I don't think I would be able to get into college today. My mother used to do interviews for prospective students for Brown University and I would overhear what these students were doing outside their academics and I would need help picking my jaw up off the floor. God, when I was in high school, the most I worried about was getting in to the sold out movie on Friday night. The making of these "automatons" can't be good. This is of course coupled with trying to get into colleges once considered "safe." Maryland residents used to be able to regard the University of Maryland as their "fall back safe school" but now it has become increasingly hard to get into not to mention the costs, currently pegged at nearly $8000 for in-staters and more than $21,000 for out-of-state residents.

God, I hope my son is smart or really athletic.