Notes in the Margins: Waitlists, ROI and an essay-mill prof

Measuring College ROI Calculating the return on investment (ROI) for a college education is a complex endeavor, with the outcome deeply dependent on methodology, assumptions, and other factors. One of the key factors that sets the PayScale methodology apart is that it results in an ROI figure that reflects not only costs and earnings, but also the likelihood that students will graduate and how long it will take. (Bloomberg Businessweek)

College Waitlists Offer Little Hope A spot on a waitlist from an elite school doesn't necessarily mean a candidate is closer to the finish line. (The Wall Street Journal) Professors group: Don't blame faculty salaries for tuition hikes The Washington-based American Association of University Professors said its annual study on salaries reveals that this academic year is the third in an historic low period for full-time faculty salaries. (MLive via University Business) Unemployed For Years, Professor Turns To Ghostwriting For Students Jennifer Sunseri lost her job as an assistant professor in 2009. Now, after nearly three years of unemployment, no health insurance, and diminished hopes of finding a new job, she's earning money by anonymously writing "model papers" for college and graduate students -- in other words, helping them cheat. (The Huffington Post) The nation’s 300 best undergraduate professors? The Princeton Review’s Best 300 Professors apparently starts by screening surveys completed by students at thousands of colleges, looking for colleges that consistently rate high for undergraduate teaching. (The Washington Post)

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.