| "A recent college fair in Chapel Hill attracted several parents researching colleges -- without their children. "
Yes, this is definitely proof of "anxiety." It's not possibly an indication that the fair started during school & e.c. hours just prior to a Friday family commitment, that parent swung by merely to pick up some literature prior to picking up student for that commitment. (Yes, that was us -- & not in the region discussed.)
So Ms. Pope might suggest to colleges that they hold the fair on a weekend? The 2 reasons that neither of my d's have attended a fair is that (1) in our area they've never been accompanied by hard information -- no presentations, & often not much opportunity to meet anyone with actual knowledge, as they send their PR armies, (2) they're held at impossible times for the students.
As to the point (1), at same fair mentioned above, I was also briefly there with a friend + daughter. I watched, listened while they questioned college "reps" who gave them very little useful information.
So now when you stop in to pick up a brochure, it's "anxiety." Terrific. |