“I heard you couldn’t go to college from an unaccredited school. Is that true?”
Like being hit by lightning, University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Tom George jumped to his feet.
“Not true. Not true,” he said, arms waving and voice slightly heightened. “We judge the individual for admission, not the school. We look at grades, test scores and other activities. And you seem like a really bright guy. We’d love to see your application at UMSL in a few years.”
The sixth-grade student from Normandy Middle School seemed relieved, as did the 100 or so classmates who joined him to hear George explain why college was a goal worth pursuing.
George’s visit was part of the Show Me Value Tour, a statewide initiative by the University of Missouri System to discuss the importance of a college education. Overall, George talked to more than 1,000 middle and high school students this past fall and spring from Normandy High School, McCluer High School, Hazelwood East High School, Hazelwood Northwest Middle School and Normandy Middle School.
Among the messages George shared were statistics showing individuals with advanced education live longer, have greater career options and make more money – on average $3.4 million over a lifetime with a bachelor’s degree as compared to $1.7 million with just a high school diploma.
Joining George was UMSL’s dean of enrollment services, Alan Byrd, who talked about admissions criteria, scholarships and degree options.
“Those of you who study hard and do well in school … can go to college,” Byrd said. “There are lots of options for you.”
Reviewed 2022-01-27