Mar. 14, 2021 4:20p
(WGTD)---A New York Times columnist who wrote a book for parents on choosing and paying for college says the entire process is too complicated. The president of Carthage College doesn't disagree.
Carthage President John Swallow and Ron Lieber, author of "The Price You Pay for College" were Karin Sconzert's guests on a recent edition of WGTD's Education Matters.
Lieber argues that parents need to be more assertive in demanding information on true costs and student outcomes and that colleges should be more forthcoming. "We should be betters shoppers and you should be better sellers," Lieber told Swallow. "And this whole thing ought to work differently and cause less stress and require less time, frankly," he said.
Lieber, as the parent of a teenaged-daughter, is starting to begin the process himself.
Swallow, in assessing how the college search and payment process has evolved over the years, agrees that things could be different. "At every moment somebody with good intentions makes is more complicated," he said.
Carthage has been working in recent years to be more responsive to parent concerns. Two years ago, it cut its "sticker" price by some 30%. As a result, enrollment has increased, Swallow said.
In addition, the college has beefed up its career counseling programs.
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