Road Trip “Aha Moments” at Clark University
/Let me share with you some “aha moments” from my April 2015 college road trip to nine schools in the Northeast. Here you go…Clark University – Aha!
Their motto “Challenge Convention. Change Our World” actually seems to fit the school. Why?
Challenge Convention: There is no expectation for kids to know what they want to do in life when they walk onto campus – the breadth of curriculum, small class sizes, and advising shepherd students to find their interests and how to turn them into a major and career. 50% of undergrads do research. Intolerance of ideas is not acceptable. Clark’s 5th year program will pay for a masters in one of their fourteen grad programs.
Change Our World: There is a big focus on volunteering and giving to Worcester, a rather depressed community – 53% do community service. Education is the most popular major. The largest student club is the International Student Assn.; the biggest event on campus is the International Gala; and 17% of the student population is international.
Other points of note: Clark is one of 40 “College That Changes Lives” (CTCL) schools — schools that are generally accessible and are deemed to make an impact on students’ lives by providing an environment for students to take ownership and succeed. With a selectivity of 62%, an average un-weighted GPA of 3.6, and being test optional, Clark if it lives up to its motto meets the definition of a CTCL school — it is accessible and it can change students’ lives.
Consider it: If you are into community service and ready to open your thinking to new ideas.