Millennials Go to College

Journal of College Admission, Spring 2004 by Muntz, Palmer

Conventional - Millennials "believe in big brands" and "go with the group" (67). The authors say that the era of the "regular" student is coming back and Millennials want to know if conventional values are welcome at the colleges they are considering. Application essays whose topic conveys that the college seeks "originality" may be somewhat disturbing to Millennials.

Pressured - These students' greatest worries relate to grades and the college admission process. The authors suggest that college admission officers tell Millennials that their college will help them reach their goals while "offering a place of refuge" (72). Millennials seek challenge, but yearn for relief from pressure.

Achieving - These students are indeed better achievers than past undergraduates. The authors veer off-topic to emphasize that Millennials want a strong community life and that better student activity programs will lead to improved retention.

As the book draws to a close, Howe and Strauss take time to discuss how life after college will look for these students. The first Millennials will start graduating from college in 2004, finishing graduate school between 2006 and 2009. They will begin having children in 2006, will start to impact popular culture between 2007 and 2012, will play a part in national politics beginning with the 2008 and 2012 elections, and in the 2020s will begin sending their own children to college.

Millennials Go to College is worthwhile reading for all admission and student affairs professionals who work with traditional age students in the United States. It is less valuable for academic deans and faculty. Its brevity, style and organization make it easy to read and to reference key points. Unfortunately, its cost is rather steep for such a small book and may be out of reach for some offices, given today's tough fiscal times.

Reviewed by Palmer Muntz, Director of Admissions, Oregon Institute of Technology