Welcome parents, families and support circles,
I hope your student is considering attending Salem State University. I write to you as a parent of a recently graduated student.
My daughter Hannah started at a private college and, after one year, decided to transfer to Salem State. She did not want to get further into debt and did not feel she was getting her money's worth. Attending Salem State would help her avoid the burden of excessive debt since the cost is significantly lower at Salem State than private colleges.
Hannah was surprised that Salem State had more opportunities for her than the private college she attended. Her classroom experience here was outstanding, with faculty that provided personal attention. She found other students with mutual interests through campus groups and clubs. And she also had on-campus jobs as a Student Navigation Center receptionist and a paid internship as a Writing Center tutor. Being an economics major, she never thought she would be qualified as a writing tutor until one of her professors recommended her to be one!
Salem State offers substance, opportunity, and affordable, high-quality education. She wishes she had started here as a first-year student. She graduated with honors which may not have been possible without the support networks available and provided at Salem State University! Her education and experience here prepared her to enter a top graduate program where she will earn her master's degree.
For full disclosure, I work as an assistant VP here at the university and am also an alumnus. I'm almost embarrassed to share this, as I was not able to influence Hannah to choose Salem State as her first choice. However, this is an opportunity for you to learn from my family experience to possibly make different choices for yours.?
I hope you and your student consider Salem State. Visit salemstate.edu/admissions to start an application or schedule a visit to campus.
All the best,
Eduardo Valenzuela