An Educated Choice: Advice for Parents of College-Bound Students

by Frank A. Brock

An Educated Choice is written by Dr. Frank A. Brock, who spent almost two decades as president of Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. It is written primarily for parents and educators of high school students who are college bound. It helps to facilitate discussion between parents and teenagers with practical information about finances, curriculum, social influences, and preparing to receive a good education. This is a reprint of the Baker Book House 2000 edition.

Genres: Parenting

140 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2002

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for parents of high school students. Though some of the data is outdated, the overall principles important in choosing a college remain. Highly recommend!

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank A. Brock is the former president, serving from 1987 to 2002, of Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA, a four-year, liberal arts, residential school affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America. I picked up a copy of this book at a homeschooling conference where Covenant College had an exhibitor table. With more than four thousand colleges and universities in the United States alone, how can parents assist their children in selecting the right one? Brock helps parents of high school students negotiate the maze of choices with sound advice and practical information by answering many questions parents have, such as "Is bigger necessarily better?"; "Can I afford to send my child to a private college?"; "Is prestige important?"; "What is a 'good' education?"; "What constitutes a positive learning environment?"; and "Should I send my child to a Christian college?" One may not necessarily agree with every specific statement, but in general there is a lot of wisdom expressed.

This is a fascinating book. The chapters on “College Education Today” with its history of post-secondary schooling in America, and “Understanding Teens” based on Brock’s experiences as a college educator, contain excellent information. Other chapters have helpful material about social factors affecting the learning environment, the pros and cons of college loans, and the importance of student attitudes. Brock contends that both parents and students benefit by discussing what they want out of a college education, and he offers valuable material for discussion. I thought that there would be more emphasis on worldview, but this is not entirely omitted. Indeed, it is summed up in the closing sentences. “How do you want your child to view the world after college? Do you think a person can spend four years of study without being affected by the perspective held by his or her esteemed professors? Is college really just about getting a good job? Should it be? How will you talk to your student about the lasting impact of a life-changing education?” Parents of college-bound students will benefit from this straightforward, honest approach to choosing a college or university and the need to choose wisely.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am now rethinking my view of why one goes to college. It is not merely to gain knowledge and a skill for an occupation, which is what I mainly have been focused on. More importantly it is to obtain a "good education" which will be with you all of your days. The book also has a great deal of practical advice.