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Shaking the Trees: The Psychology of Collecting in U.S. Newspaper Coverage of the College Admissions Process

Year 2009, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 6 - 23, 01.04.2009

Abstract

A frame analysis was conducted to explore themes in recent coverage by print journalists of the college application process, with special attention paid to the use by reporters of “keywords, stock phrases, stereotyped images, sources of information, and sentences that provide reinforcing clusters of facts or judgments” (Entman, p. 52) about this experience. The analysis revealed checklist, panic, hunt, and packaging frames as the experience was reduced to prospective students collecting attractive experiences and cobbling them together into a compelling package. Through these frames, journalists and the experts they consult urge students to focus solely on how their experiences will make them more attractive to universities acting clearly as collectors. All of the parties involved in the college admissions process are collectors, at least as described by journalists. Students are persuaded that they must begin their collecting early, as early as junior high school. College recruiters and admissions counselors collect worthy students for their institutions

References

  • Abernethy, M. (2006, November 16). Pilot online college application program lights up Greene Central High School. Kinstin Free Press. Retrieved March 5, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Alijentera, C. (2006, November 29). Write stuff for college: Students polish essays for college applications. Monterey County Herald. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com
  • Altman, E. (2007, January 16). An early jump on college is well worth a little stress in May. Bergen Record, p. L1.
  • Bal, M. (1994). Telling objects: A narrative perspective on collecting. In J. Elsner & R. Cardinal (Eds.), The cultures of collecting (pp. 97-115). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Baudrillard, J. (1994). The system of collecting. In J. Elsner & R. Cardinal (Eds.), The cultures of collecting (pp. 7-24). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Baudrillard, J. (1996). The system of objects. London: Verso.
  • Bennett, W.L. (2005). News: The politics of illusion. New York: Pearson.
  • Berman, S. (2006, October 17). College applications craziness. New York Sun, p. 12.
  • Blinded by the price. (2006, December 25). Boston Globe. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Churnin, N. (2006, November 30). College applications: High school seniors tell the tale. Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis- nexis.com.
  • Csikszenthmihalyi, M. & Rochberg-Halton, E. (1981). The meaning of things. London: Cambridge University Press.
  • D’Angelo, P. (2002). News framing as a multiparadigmatic research: A response to Entman. Journal of Communication, 52, 870-888.
  • Dunnewind, S. (2006, November 2). How to gently package your senior for college admission. Seattle Times. Retrieved March 2, 2007, from http://www.lexis- nexis.com.
  • Entman, R. M. (1991). Framing U.S. coverage of international news: Contrasts in narratives of the KAL and Iran Air incidents. Journal of Communication, 41, 6-27.
  • Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43, 51-58.
  • Fabiano. G. (2006, October 4). `Immediate Decision’ speeds up college application process. Bergen Record. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis- nexis.com.
  • Frey, C. (2006, October 26). UW rejects slacking seniors. Seatlle Post-Intelligencer, p. B1.
  • Gamson, W.A. & Mogdiliani, A. (1987). The changing culture of affirmative action. In R.D. Braungart (Ed.), Research in political sociology (Vol. 3, pp. 137-177). Greenwich, CT: JAL.
  • Gandy, O. (2001). Epilogue. In S. Reese, O.H. Gandy Jr. and A. Grant (Eds.), Framing Public Life (p. 365). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
  • Gitlin, T. (1980). The whole world is watching. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
  • Glueck, K. (2006, October 26). You’ve picked your college. Will it pick you? Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Goffman, E. (1974). Frame analysis. Boston: Northeastern University Press.
  • Gordon, J. (2006, November 15). Recruiters continue to rely on allure of college fairs. New York Times, p. 11.
  • Hill, J. (2006, October 13). Maze of college admissions has become simple. Worcester Telegram and Gazette, p. B1.
  • Hill, N. (2006, November 17). The hardest 500 words you’ll ever write: College essays. Tulsa World, p. D1.
  • Hsuan, A. (2007, January 4). It’s January, time to move on college applications. The Oregonian, p. 12.
  • Jamieson, K. and P. Waldman. (2003). The press effect: Politicians, journalists, and the stories that shaper the political world. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Johnson, A. (2006, November 11). Miramar clinic offers help for college-bound students. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Levy-Prewitt, J. (2007a, January 7). College bound: A weekly guide to college education. San Francisco Chronicle, p. B2.
  • Levy-Prewitt, J. (2007b, January 13). College Board reports can test patience and finances. Bergen Record, p. A3.
  • Natividad, J. (2006, December 26). Online tools match students with appropriate colleges. Chattanooga Times Free Press, p. E1.
  • Navas, M. (2006, November 23). Countdown to college. The Oregonian, p. 16.
  • Norris, P. (1995). The restless search: Network news framing of the post-Cold War world. Political Communication, 12, 357-370.
  • Nyhan, P. (2006, October 23). UW students help teens write their way into school workshop that polishes essays for applications. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, p. B1.
  • Olemacher, S. (2006, October 25). College degree worth an extra $23,000 a year. Associated Press. Retrieved March 2, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Pope, J. (2006, October 22). Admissions anxiety reaches new regions. Associated Press. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Postman, N. (1992). Technopoly: The surrender of culture to technology. New York: Vintage.
  • Sanchez, C. (2006, December 11). For some students, it’s the most stressful time of year. Sarasota Herald-Tribune, p. BS1.
  • Schevitz, T. (2006, December 14). Holiday break is crunch time for college applicants. San Francisco Chronicle, p. B1.
  • Stern, E. (2006, October 19). On your mark, get set, apply. Sacramento Bee, p. B1.
  • Stevenson, J. (2006, November 7). Finding the edge in competitive college applications. Allentown Morning Call, p. A7.
  • Tuinstra, R. (2006, December 7). Volunteers help tackle a daunting process. Seattle Times, p. B3.
  • Vrieling, S. (2006, October 19). Apply yourself. Modesto Bee, p. E5.
  • Windsor, J. (1994). Identity parades. In J. Elsner & R. Cardinal (Eds.), The cultures of collecting (pp. 49-67). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Woodward, H. (2006, October 22). College: finding one that fits just right. The Olympian. Retrieved March 2, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
Year 2009, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 6 - 23, 01.04.2009

Abstract

References

  • Abernethy, M. (2006, November 16). Pilot online college application program lights up Greene Central High School. Kinstin Free Press. Retrieved March 5, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Alijentera, C. (2006, November 29). Write stuff for college: Students polish essays for college applications. Monterey County Herald. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com
  • Altman, E. (2007, January 16). An early jump on college is well worth a little stress in May. Bergen Record, p. L1.
  • Bal, M. (1994). Telling objects: A narrative perspective on collecting. In J. Elsner & R. Cardinal (Eds.), The cultures of collecting (pp. 97-115). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Baudrillard, J. (1994). The system of collecting. In J. Elsner & R. Cardinal (Eds.), The cultures of collecting (pp. 7-24). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Baudrillard, J. (1996). The system of objects. London: Verso.
  • Bennett, W.L. (2005). News: The politics of illusion. New York: Pearson.
  • Berman, S. (2006, October 17). College applications craziness. New York Sun, p. 12.
  • Blinded by the price. (2006, December 25). Boston Globe. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Churnin, N. (2006, November 30). College applications: High school seniors tell the tale. Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis- nexis.com.
  • Csikszenthmihalyi, M. & Rochberg-Halton, E. (1981). The meaning of things. London: Cambridge University Press.
  • D’Angelo, P. (2002). News framing as a multiparadigmatic research: A response to Entman. Journal of Communication, 52, 870-888.
  • Dunnewind, S. (2006, November 2). How to gently package your senior for college admission. Seattle Times. Retrieved March 2, 2007, from http://www.lexis- nexis.com.
  • Entman, R. M. (1991). Framing U.S. coverage of international news: Contrasts in narratives of the KAL and Iran Air incidents. Journal of Communication, 41, 6-27.
  • Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43, 51-58.
  • Fabiano. G. (2006, October 4). `Immediate Decision’ speeds up college application process. Bergen Record. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis- nexis.com.
  • Frey, C. (2006, October 26). UW rejects slacking seniors. Seatlle Post-Intelligencer, p. B1.
  • Gamson, W.A. & Mogdiliani, A. (1987). The changing culture of affirmative action. In R.D. Braungart (Ed.), Research in political sociology (Vol. 3, pp. 137-177). Greenwich, CT: JAL.
  • Gandy, O. (2001). Epilogue. In S. Reese, O.H. Gandy Jr. and A. Grant (Eds.), Framing Public Life (p. 365). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
  • Gitlin, T. (1980). The whole world is watching. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
  • Glueck, K. (2006, October 26). You’ve picked your college. Will it pick you? Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Goffman, E. (1974). Frame analysis. Boston: Northeastern University Press.
  • Gordon, J. (2006, November 15). Recruiters continue to rely on allure of college fairs. New York Times, p. 11.
  • Hill, J. (2006, October 13). Maze of college admissions has become simple. Worcester Telegram and Gazette, p. B1.
  • Hill, N. (2006, November 17). The hardest 500 words you’ll ever write: College essays. Tulsa World, p. D1.
  • Hsuan, A. (2007, January 4). It’s January, time to move on college applications. The Oregonian, p. 12.
  • Jamieson, K. and P. Waldman. (2003). The press effect: Politicians, journalists, and the stories that shaper the political world. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Johnson, A. (2006, November 11). Miramar clinic offers help for college-bound students. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Levy-Prewitt, J. (2007a, January 7). College bound: A weekly guide to college education. San Francisco Chronicle, p. B2.
  • Levy-Prewitt, J. (2007b, January 13). College Board reports can test patience and finances. Bergen Record, p. A3.
  • Natividad, J. (2006, December 26). Online tools match students with appropriate colleges. Chattanooga Times Free Press, p. E1.
  • Navas, M. (2006, November 23). Countdown to college. The Oregonian, p. 16.
  • Norris, P. (1995). The restless search: Network news framing of the post-Cold War world. Political Communication, 12, 357-370.
  • Nyhan, P. (2006, October 23). UW students help teens write their way into school workshop that polishes essays for applications. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, p. B1.
  • Olemacher, S. (2006, October 25). College degree worth an extra $23,000 a year. Associated Press. Retrieved March 2, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Pope, J. (2006, October 22). Admissions anxiety reaches new regions. Associated Press. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
  • Postman, N. (1992). Technopoly: The surrender of culture to technology. New York: Vintage.
  • Sanchez, C. (2006, December 11). For some students, it’s the most stressful time of year. Sarasota Herald-Tribune, p. BS1.
  • Schevitz, T. (2006, December 14). Holiday break is crunch time for college applicants. San Francisco Chronicle, p. B1.
  • Stern, E. (2006, October 19). On your mark, get set, apply. Sacramento Bee, p. B1.
  • Stevenson, J. (2006, November 7). Finding the edge in competitive college applications. Allentown Morning Call, p. A7.
  • Tuinstra, R. (2006, December 7). Volunteers help tackle a daunting process. Seattle Times, p. B3.
  • Vrieling, S. (2006, October 19). Apply yourself. Modesto Bee, p. E5.
  • Windsor, J. (1994). Identity parades. In J. Elsner & R. Cardinal (Eds.), The cultures of collecting (pp. 49-67). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Woodward, H. (2006, October 22). College: finding one that fits just right. The Olympian. Retrieved March 2, 2007, from http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
There are 44 citations in total.

Details

Other ID JA49RA63BD
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ronald Bishop This is me

Publication Date April 1, 2009
Published in Issue Year 2009 Volume: 5 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Bishop, R. (2009). Shaking the Trees: The Psychology of Collecting in U.S. Newspaper Coverage of the College Admissions Process. International Journal Of Progressive Education, 5(1), 6-23.