Lawrence thinks U-CAN
Deborah Nixon
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News
Lawrence University has recently joined hundreds of private colleges and universities participating in a new website created as a helpful college search resource for prospective students.
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities launched the site, called the University and College Accountability Network, Sept. 26. The website, www.ucan-network.org, features information on hundreds of private colleges and universities across the United States.
Lawrence is one of the current 440 profiles provided; another 150 are expected to be added this week. Profiles are added as each school provides its information.
Each profile contains statistical information on the respective school concerning admissions, enrollment, tuition, most popular majors, student diversity, and student graduation percentage.
Only one written paragraph is displayed at the top of each school's page, allowing prospective students to glance through data without having to read biased paragraphs. "It's a very clear-cut way to find out about colleges," said Lawrence Assistant Director of Admissions Chuck Erickson. "It gets through the glitz."
If students want to look beyond the many charts and graphs, the profiles also provide direct links to portions of a school's website. Links provide information on career services, graduates, academics, credit transfers, and student life.
A special link outlines a list of activities and facilities unique to a school. For Lawrence, this list includes Freshman Studies and Björklunden.
Concerns about a school's surroundings are settled through links to the school's campus security measures and current security report. A link to information on the surrounding community, such as the City of Appleton website, is also provided.
U-CAN differs from sites like the College Board online search through its use of charts depicting the data, rather than simply listing the various statistics. This method allows students to take a quicker glance at a school.
U-CAN's outside links, which are not provided on College Board, also help students navigate a school's website, a task which can be complicated and time-consuming.
The links concerning a school's surrounding area are also unique, as most college searches focus almost exclusively on the campus, but overlook the community as a whole.
Erickson emphasized the helpfulness of the links provided on the U-CAN profiles, particularly "What Makes Us Special," a link which is especially important to the admissions process.
"Lawrence is not a big fan of rankings. It's another way to capture what Lawrence is like," said Erickson. As a class of 2002 Lawrence graduate, Erickson added, "I wish I'd had this."
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities launched the site, called the University and College Accountability Network, Sept. 26. The website, www.ucan-network.org, features information on hundreds of private colleges and universities across the United States.
Lawrence is one of the current 440 profiles provided; another 150 are expected to be added this week. Profiles are added as each school provides its information.
Each profile contains statistical information on the respective school concerning admissions, enrollment, tuition, most popular majors, student diversity, and student graduation percentage.
Only one written paragraph is displayed at the top of each school's page, allowing prospective students to glance through data without having to read biased paragraphs. "It's a very clear-cut way to find out about colleges," said Lawrence Assistant Director of Admissions Chuck Erickson. "It gets through the glitz."
If students want to look beyond the many charts and graphs, the profiles also provide direct links to portions of a school's website. Links provide information on career services, graduates, academics, credit transfers, and student life.
A special link outlines a list of activities and facilities unique to a school. For Lawrence, this list includes Freshman Studies and Björklunden.
Concerns about a school's surroundings are settled through links to the school's campus security measures and current security report. A link to information on the surrounding community, such as the City of Appleton website, is also provided.
U-CAN differs from sites like the College Board online search through its use of charts depicting the data, rather than simply listing the various statistics. This method allows students to take a quicker glance at a school.
U-CAN's outside links, which are not provided on College Board, also help students navigate a school's website, a task which can be complicated and time-consuming.
The links concerning a school's surrounding area are also unique, as most college searches focus almost exclusively on the campus, but overlook the community as a whole.
Erickson emphasized the helpfulness of the links provided on the U-CAN profiles, particularly "What Makes Us Special," a link which is especially important to the admissions process.
"Lawrence is not a big fan of rankings. It's another way to capture what Lawrence is like," said Erickson. As a class of 2002 Lawrence graduate, Erickson added, "I wish I'd had this."
Spring Break
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
Lawrence Alum
posted 8/31/08 @ 1:20 PM CST
Thanks for the reporting. It's good to see lawrence getting involved in a program that helps match up students with schools.
And I'd agree with Erickson. (Continued…)
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posted 12/17/08 @ 8:34 PM CST
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Writing an essay
posted 2/16/09 @ 5:18 AM CST
It is great that U-CAN's outside links, which are not provided on College Board, also help students navigate a school's website.
Alice Blaker
posted 2/19/09 @ 4:20 AM CST
The University and College Accountability Network (U-CAN) provides information for prospective students and their parents to compare private colleges and universities across a wide variety of characteristics. (Continued…)
pazinciu klubas
posted 2/19/09 @ 1:10 PM CST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
Biuro Baldai
posted 2/24/09 @ 7:56 AM CST
U-CAN was publicly launched on September 26, 2007. At the time of the launch, more than 600 institutions had volunteered to participate. The network was developed by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Andrea Godolphin
posted 3/06/09 @ 9:10 AM CST
This sounds like a great program and a great way to improve education in our schools!
Jacqueline Attwood
posted 3/06/09 @ 9:12 AM CST
wow, this brings back some great memories! it seems like just yesterday i was watching all of these great shows, and more great shows. this homecoming theme has been so much fun!
Alice Blaker
posted 3/07/09 @ 10:16 AM CST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
Andrea Godolphin
posted 3/07/09 @ 10:20 AM CST
Great article. I agree totally.
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