Posts filed under 'Pop culture & college'
Of the 10 Best Picture nominees for the Oscars, we love that two of them have ties to college. There’s The Social Network, which shows how Facebook got its start at Harvard, and then Toy Story 3, which has a storyline centered on Andy heading off to school and leaving Buzz, Woody, and the others behind.
The Social Network, which has eight Academy Award nominations, is a fictionalized account of the beginnings 
of Facebook, but it offers a very real insight to college life, from the very first scene. Mark Zuckerberg’s girlfriend breaks up with him in a bar, which leads to him taking a long walk through campus back to his dorm, where he continues to drink into the night. That leads to his blogging about his ex and creating a site where people can rank photos of Harvard females – all eventually resulting in Facebook, which college students–and the rest of us–now can’t live without.
The movie also reflects how the desire to be socially accepted isn’t something that ends in high school, but continues in college. But the thing you’ll notice is that in college, there often is a greater variety of groups to join, which allows you to embrace your individuality and still feel accepted.
All the characters in the movie – from Zuckerberg (played by Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg) to the Winklevoss twins (Armie Hammer Jr. did a great job portraying them both) to Zuckerberg’s best friend Eduardo Saverin – represent some of the types of people you’ll meet in the college, or that you might be yourself. There’s the aloof, socially awkward folks who you just know will somehow become millionaires, the suave guy who always seems to have money, and the athletes who exude confidence.
Then in a completely different way, Toy Story 3 tugs on the heartstrings, from the cardboard box with the word “college” on it to Andy’s final decision about Woody in the end. It shows us that growing up means letting go, and college is a big time for making that step.
Both movies are well done and reflect that going to college – a decision you’re making now – is a decision that can be part of a compelling story, whether it’s fiction or real life.
—Lori Johnston
February 9th, 2011
Professors know that to keep students interested, their courses sometimes need to have a little more fun and hipness than your average college class. Buzz-generating topics in this spring’s lineup of courses focus on the popularity of zombies, celebrities like Lady Gaga and more.
Since a recent report found that students in their first two years of college make little educational gains (one reason being that faculty are so focused on their research), it’s great to see that some of these courses are available to freshman and sophomores. It’s not all hype about the topic, but there’s a point to what they’re learning.
COLLEGE ZOMBIELAND
You may feel like the walking dead after a night of studying for a major test, so why not learn about zombies in college? Several schools offer classes around this theme, including Georgia Southern University’s Zombies 101: The Living Dead in Film, for first-year students. The seminar covers everything from Night of the Living Dead to recent films like Zombieland and the zombie spin on classic books like Pride and Prejudice.
GAGA OVER LADY GAGA
There’s no poker face in this University of South Carolina course, Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame. Professor Mathieu Deflem describes the class as a “sociological analysis of selected social issues related to the career of Lady Gaga.” The course looks at business and marketing, media, fans, live shows, gay culture, religious and political themes, sexuality, gender, and other topics to discover the culture of the fame exemplified by the case of Lady Gaga. Another course, From Elvis to Lady Gaga: American Pop Culture 1950-2010, at Saint Leo University in Florida, focuses on how pop culture has changed over time.
GIVE INTO YOUR XBOX, PLAYSTATION ADDICTION
Although you will have to put down the controller, there are some courses that seek to connect with students who are addicted to video games. Sure, some schools are offering degrees now in the fast-growing field of video game design, but for those who don’t want to work in the gaming industry for a living, you still see how video games relate to other college topics and society. In Video Games: History, Theory, and Social Impact, offered by Pennsylvania’s Lebanon Valley College, students examine video games as cultural artifacts (maybe that would be my old Atari?), works of art and more.
BATTER UP
One of spring’s favorite sports – baseball – also has sparked the topic of college courses, like Baseball Statistics at Birmingham Southern College and Baseball History at York College of Pennsylvania. Take these courses, and you’ll likely be looking at your college team or the major leagues in a different way.
—Lori Johnston. Delaney Young contributed.
January 19th, 2011
You’ve seen us many times on this blog profess our undying love for social media, particularly Twitter. (We do love our weekly #collegebound chats!) And here’s one of the many reasons we love it so: Colleges and universities across the country–and around the WORLD–have signed on to Twitter to discuss any and all topics in the world of higher education.
Of course, not all tweets are created equally. There are some tweeple who truly rule the roost when it comes to engaging followers. How does one determine Twitter clout? Why Klout, of course. Billing itself as “the standard for influence,” the website gathers data to measure your social networking worth. Just yesterday, Klout’s blog announced the top 10 most influential colleges on Twitter. Behold! You are truly in the presence of Twitter greatness if you follow any of these schools:
1. Stanford University
2. Syracuse University
3. Harvard University
4. University of Wisconsin-Madison
5. University of California, Berkeley
6. Butler University
7. Tufts University
8. University of Minnesota
9. University of Texas at Austin
10. Marquette University
Have you applied to any of these schools? Follow them on Twitter and learn more student life. And don’t forget to follow us for information on everything else about college!
–The CollegeBound Network
January 18th, 2011
In a move that will 
encourage more than a few college students to put their thinking caps on in pursuit of “the next big thing,” Time has crowned Mark Zuckerberg as its “Person of the Year.”
In case you’ve been living under a rock, or are buried under more college applications than you can count, Zuckerberg is the founder of the one and only Facebook. Of course, if you’ve seen the Golden Globe-nominated movie The Social Network, you’ll know that there are more than a few questions regarding whether or not Zuckerberg was the sole genius behind what is undoubtedly one of the most popular websites in the world. Still, kudos to you, Zuckerberg.
But allow me to be shallow for a moment: I’ve seen much more flattering photos of Zuckerberg. Not to mention the fact that the charming and handsome Jesse Eisenberg was cast as Zuckerberg in the movie. The one that Time chose for its cover makes him appear a bit…alienish. His green eyes are remarkable, but his blank stare gives me the creeps. But perhaps my coworker put it best: “Maybe he is an alien. He does seem to be trying to take over the world.”
–Barbara Bellesi
December 15th, 2010
It’s Cyber Monday, and my head feels like it is about to explode as a result of all the great shopping deals that I’m seeing on Twitter, Facebook, and just about everywhere else on the Internet.
If only colleges and universities had Cyber Monday, when they could slash their tuition prices for one absolutely crazy 24-hour period of time. Or give a buy one year, get one free deal. Forget my head exploding—the Internet itself would probably self destruct!
While at least for now the only “coupon” for college is a scholarship, it’s clear that colleges at least have the “cyber” part of Cyber Monday down pat any day of the week. From Kindles and iPads to all those other gadgets that make up the Web 3.0 classroom, the college classroom has gone way beyond the traditional chalkboards and notebooks that were staples of 20th century education.
Today, why not take a break from all the pre-holiday mayhem and join us for our #collegebound chat today at 4PM ET. We’ll be talking all things college, from learning in cyberspace to footing the bill for all those new toys and gadgets students will be needing experience it all. Are you in? Find us at @CollegeBoundNet on Twitter and get ready to add your two cents.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 29th, 2010
If you’re asking for an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad for Christmas, or if you already have one of those, you’ll want to check out the college-focused phone apps to make your college search, application process, and even waiting to hear about admission a little easier.
Here’s a look at just a few of the types of apps colleges and companies are creating to get their information into your hands.
Campus Tours
No more pulling out a big ol’ campus map and making it known to everyone on campus that you’re a lost little high school student. Schools like University of New Haven (see screenshot at right), College of Charleston, Stanford University, University of Florida, and University of Oregon put campus maps and contact info available in a free app. The virtual college tours offer a great way for juniors to get their feet wet or for seniors to reaffirm their choice.
Also, maps of more than 400 campuses are available by Logical Dimension, for 99 cents on iTunes. You can find out how long it takes to drive, walk or take public transit to spots on campus with the apps as well. The popular University of New Haven app was created by YourCampus360, which also has apps for Syracuse, Wellesley, University of North Dakota, and many other schools.
Application Status
Instead of waiting by the computer for an e-mail acceptance notice (or by the mailbox, like I had to do), there are no-cost admission apps offered by schools such as the University of Georgia. Participating schools allow you to check your application status and more from the palm of your hand, but you’ll need to resist the temptation to do it every minute!
Campus Life
Newsweek’s list of cool apps for college students includes Apartments.com, a free app which can help make the rental search easier.
Interviewing Help
If you’re preparing for college or already in school, an app by Career Services at Texas Christian University provides career-focused assistance related to interviews, etiquette, and more. And some of the information could help as you’re going through scholarship interviews, too! The TCU app has more than possible interview questions and possible responses, along with a breakdown of dining etiquette, too (remember, no elbows on the table!).
Expect more apps to be more available as more schools try to get information out to students in as many ways possible.
—Lori Johnston (Delaney Young contributed)
November 24th, 2010
Imagine a world in which we Muggles would be competing with the boy wizard and his friends seeking a post-Hogwarts education. Don’t tell J. K. Rowling we have the idea for a way to continue the series – a book that fills in the years with Harry, Hermione and Ron as college students in the U.S.!
With “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” in theaters on Friday, it made me wonder what all three could have focused on as their strengths during the college admissions process.
So take a brief break from the stress of your college applications and consider how their strengths could help you determine what you want to focus on in your application and essay.
Harry Potter
Harry (portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe) could easily focus his admissions essay on the loss of his parents at such an early age – and being pursued by the Dark Lord for years afterward. But let’s look beyond those facts and think about what it took for Harry to handle those circumstances in his life: he’s a natural born leader, as seen during his time in Hogwarts; he’s had to deal with fame and celebrity as a teenager, though he doubted himself amid the expectations of others; and he has used his quick-thinking skills to keep himself and (most of) his friends safe. If I were him, I would leave out the stuff about his temper, though. He also could share with admissions folks how Professor Dumbledore was the perfect mentor and how he needs that same type of mentor as a college student, too.
Hermione Granger
This bossy brainiac’s (portrayed by now-Brown University student Emma Watson) high test scores would probably catch the eye of admissions officials at any school, but we all know applicants need more than book smarts. Even Rowling once described her as “borderline genius.” The amazing thing is how she turned her innate knowledge of the wizarding world to help Harry and others, which again would make for an interesting admissions essay. It’s not enough to just know how to perform the spells, but she could discuss the situations in which she used them and how they prevailed for good, when so many others used them for evil. The wizarding world may not have what we think of as community service, but Hermione could capture people’s attention, too, because of her compassion for the House-Elves and others who are oppressed.
Ron Weasley
Ron (portrayed by Rupert Grint) could focus on his admissions essay on what he learned about himself on the way to becoming a Quidditch star, which would show his school spirit beyond his repeated scowls for getting hand-me-down robes, sweaters, brooms, and pets over the years. Or, he could talk about being in the shadow of older brothers–something that might resonate with many a college-bound student. But instead, he’s the perfect example of doing anything for a friend, as he and Hermione were so vital in searching for the missing Horcruxes and destroying them so Harry could kill Voldemort.
And don’t worry, although the college admissions staff may seem to hold your future in their hands, it’s nothing like Harry having to face He Who Must Not Be Named.
–Lori Johnston
November 16th, 2010
I’ve been noticing more and more college students updating Facebook by letting their friends know whether they’re at a local Mexican restaurant, a certain campus building, or elsewhere around town.
It turns out that one college is promoting the use of Facebook Places on campus, and it’s not just because it wants friends to hang out together.
Instead, the University of Kentucky wants students to check in to spots on campus in hopes that the name of the school will keep popping up on the Facebook news feeds of friends and family members in high schools, a school official told Advertising Age. The school has placed wooden pointer signs, resembling the tab in the Facebook Places logo, on campus to encourage students to check in.
The school’s Facebook Places info page also focuses on how it wants to protect students’ privacy and shows students how to adjust their settings to that only friends know. The privacy issue has some students and even groups like the ACLU concerned, however.
University of Kentucky student Kelsey Hayes, vice president of the student body, says: “I think the way UK is promoting Places is pretty cool. It’s unique, and it will hopefully get students, especially freshmen and those new to campus, to engage with each other. It’s also a great way to help get them acquainted with campus.”
You have to give University of Kentucky credit for noticing another Facebook trend and trying to use it to reach out to potential students. The main question is: Will seeing a school’s name on your Facebook news feed make you more curious about the university of college?
–Lori Johnston
November 9th, 2010
Turn up the volume and tune in to the coolest college YouTube channels and viral videos.
Continue Reading November 1st, 2010
Everywhere we look, there’s beautiful bursts of orange, from the trees outside the window to the pumpkins on front stoops and porches (reminder to self: still need to buy pumpkins).
When you’re finding a college, just think about how a school’s colors can define it and its students’ style, such as in the attire on game day weekends. And you’ll often hear students and fans refer to the school’s hues in chants and cheers.
In the traditional colors of Halloween season, here’s a look at five schools with orange and black in their colors. Don’t be spooked by the interesting connections and histories for some of the school:
Princeton University
Students at this Ivy League school – the fourth oldest college in the U.S. – proudly wear their orange and black. Presidents, politicians, military leaders, executives, astronauts, mathematicians, scientists, Pulitzer Prize winners, and even celebrities such as David Duchovny, Wentworth Miller, Ethan Coen, and Brooke Shields are among graduates of the New Jersey school, which has about 7,500 students. Among the other famous graduates are First Lady Michelle Obama, who just happens to be related to someone at another orange and black school.
That school is…
Oregon State University
Students, alumni, and fans root on the Beavers wearing orange and black, as the school’s basketball team is coached by Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson. Even Nike, which is based in Oregon, came up with a pair of sneakers featuring the color combination. The school, which has about 22,000 students, is located in Corvallis, Oregon, about 90 miles south of Portland and about an hour from the Pacific Coast. Its programs in agricultural sciences, conservation biology, forestry, fisheries and wildlife management, nuclear engineering, community health, pharmacy, and zoology are nationally recognized.
Greenville College
Despite its verdant name, Greenville College, a four-year Christian college with more than 1,600 students, boasts black an orange as its school colors, along with the panther as its mascot. The school is located in Greenville, Ill., about 45 miles outside of St. Louis.
Kalamazoo College
This four-year Michigan school with a focus on experiential education is among the 100 oldest colleges and universities in the country. More than two-thirds of students completing an internship or externship, more than half of students participating in service-learning projects, and more than 85 percent experiencing other cultures, with 59 programs in 25 counties on six continents.
Wartburg College
This orange-and-black school has been named one of the best liberal arts college in the nation by US News & World Report and the Princeton Review. The Waverly, Iowa school, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church, was named after the fortress in Germany where Martin Luther translated the New Testament during the Reformation. The school has about 1,775 students representing 26 U.S. states and 46 countries, and its students tout the value of being “orange.” Students also compete for the Knights in a variety of sports.
Are you applying to an orange-and-black school? Let us know!
–Lori Johnston
October 29th, 2010
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of Facebook, but it offers a very real insight to college life, from the very first scene. Mark Zuckerberg’s girlfriend breaks up with him in a bar, which leads to him taking a long walk through campus back to his dorm, where he continues to drink into the night. That leads to his blogging about his ex and creating a site where people can rank photos of Harvard females – all eventually resulting in Facebook, which college students–and the rest of us–now can’t live without.
Then in a completely different way, Toy Story 3 tugs on the heartstrings, from the cardboard box with the word “college” on it to Andy’s final decision about Woody in the end. It shows us that growing up means letting go, and college is a big time for making that step.
