The "Ivory Tower" refers to the phenomenon of college professors working in isolation from the surrounding community to some degree. We (professors, researchers, whatever you want to call us) don't answer to the local community or even our administration within the University when it comes to what we research or to some degree, even teach.

The phrase "Ivory Tower" has come to have a bit of a negative connotation over the years. People envision University professors researching meaningless phenomena while the world desperately needs those highly trained scientists to discover a cure for cancer or whatever your favorite cause is (global warming, etc.).

But the truth is that the "Ivory Tower" is a good thing in many ways. As a society, we ***need*** our scientists and other academics to have the freedom to pursue their own lines of reasoning and thinking for the simple fact that we're not all knowing.

Let's look at an example... Humans exhibit menstrual cycles, something that's fairly unusual among mammals. Several years ago, it became clear that more and more females (as a percentage) were experiencing early onset of menstrual cycles and also early onset of menopause. So this represents a problem... how do you research the factors that affect these phenomena in the laboratory?

In a society devoid of ethical and moral considerations, we'd gather up a set of human females and put them in the lab to study them. We obviously aren't going to do that... so we need the next best thing... an "animal model" to work with, something that we *can* put in the laboratory.

So like I said, menstrual cycles are unusual, so you have to look through the biology of all mammals to see if you can find a menstruating mammal that's not a human. Chimps don't do it... gorillas don't... neither do baboons or other monkeys... Oh! Whales exhibit menstrual cycles! But... they are a bit difficult to keep in the lab. Well, fortunately for us, some biologist from decades back worked in an "Ivory Tower" and spent their time researching Golden Teddy Bear Hamsters, the ones you buy at pet stores. In his research, he discovered that this species of hamster exhibits menstrual cycles (rather than estrous cycles), and as a consequence... the scientists researching menstruation in humans typically use these animals as models for problems in human reproduction.

So if you take the scientist (or other academician) *out* of the "Ivory Tower," you risk condemning our future due to unforeseen value or problems associated with prioritization. There are literally hundreds of examples of these sorts of fortunate "Ivory Tower" findings in every field, including political science, the humanities, history, and so on.

Last comment... The "Ivory Tower" also protects academic freedom. We *want* our children to be taught *new* ideas in addition to history. We want them to learn science, not just mythology (though that's also important). Remove the Ivory Tower... subject professors to community standards, and society will stagnate. Imagine how much more difficult it would be for biology to move forward if evolutionary theory couldn't be taught because it offended the locals. The children of that society would be forever handicapped in their learning...

Interesting question that's worthy of much more discussion. I hope you get lots of varied responses!

I'm in high school in America right now and I recently started researching out-of-country universities, and I'm not sure what the differences are between American and UK universities.
I mean things like what are classes like? How is your schedule? Can you work, and if you can, what kind of jobs? And also, do you have to have a major, can you switch it, and are there electives and the like in the UK? Any information would help, thanks :)

What are some prestigious colleges with good programs for certain areas of studies, or have good departments for something in particular?

Names Jack =] 16 year old student currently about to go into GCSE exams. Taking A-levels in my schools sixth form and subjects include History Maths Physical Education and Biology. Always wanted to take my future life into the USA and i was just wondering what a foreign student needs to apply for a US college or university? Are there additional courses or exams i will have to take to apply in the US?

And finally, if i get into or make it to that uni or college, what courses can previous US students reccomend to me that can lead to jobs that are needed in the US and what are reccomended part time jobs that i can work in alongside my education. A family friend who lived close to me went to the US and worked in a bar in NYC whilst he went to uni. However i'm not sure whether he began uni in the UK or not.
Can anyone give me some reliable advice for my future? =]
Jack

I love the greater Boston metro area and would love to have MBTA access to Boston but not necessarily be right in the city.

Obviously this would mean heavier taxation; would it be worth it in the long run? Would we have a more educated public and better government as a result? Thanks to all who share.

I was just thinking that because my neighbor is home-schooled and since she doesn't really have school report cards or progress reports like I do. How can she get into colleges or universities without records on her progress

I love the greater Boston metro area and would love to have MBTA access to Boston but not necessarily be right in the city.

Apply clinical positions must be full-time first degree graduates from colleges and universities. If the operator is not a full-time Undergraduate Undergraduate Graduate

This isn't for school or anything; I just am taking a personal survey to see what colleges are most popular so that I can research them.

What's the difference? what's better?
& are CUNY colleges hard to get into?
What SAT score & GPA & etc would you need?
Give some examples

Thanks!
I'm applying to colleges next year...

I still do not have drive ~ ! ~