It is either a sign of the Apocalypse or a positive trend, depending on your view, but more colleges are allowing students to bring their pets to live with them at college. Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, is renovating a dorm into "Pet Central" to accommodate the 30 incoming freshmen who have requested to bring their pets. And Stephens is not alone. Approximately a dozen colleges specifically allow for pets. For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) allows cats in some dorm rooms, as does SUNY-Canton. Eckerd College and Washington & Jefferson College both allow dogs, cats and other animals to live with their student-owners. Eckerd even allows snakes, as long as they are under six feet long and nonvenemous. Some say that pet-friendly policies are becoming necessary as part of the heavy competition for students. Others argue that it could be a symptom of a greater separation anxiety for the student leaving home for college, could slow the transition to independence and provide a mechanism that students could use to avoid contact with other humans. Hmmm, an interesting psychological dilemma. But it's not all fun and games for the student/pet owner either. Stephens, Eckerd and W&J have all established Pet Councils (students and faculty are members) to enforce a pet code of conduct, which can include a ban on loud barking. Violations are punishable by removal from the dorm. So, if bringing Fido to college has been your dream, there is a college out there that will welcome both of you - just make sure he doesn't bark too loud.
For more information, click hereThis should not be news to those of you who are in the final throes of completing your EA or ED submission - deadlines are approaching!! Make sure all your ducks are in a row, your SAT or ACT score reports sent, your school forms submitted with pre-addressed envelopes and return address labels, your teacher recommendations all set. Most of all, make sure that your guidance counselor and recommenders know of the deadline, whether it is November 1, November 15, or December 1. And most of all, good luck!!