The Sunday Read: ‘The Man Who Couldn’t Stop Going to College’
13Digest
This podcast delves into the extraordinary life of Benjamin Bulger, a 48-year-old man who has earned over a dozen degrees from prestigious universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. The episode explores the reasons behind Bulger's relentless pursuit of higher education, tracing his journey from his childhood experiences with dyslexia to his current career as a private college admissions consultant. The podcast highlights Bulger's unique approach to coaching students, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and crafting compelling narratives to stand out in a competitive application pool. It also delves into Bulger's educational philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on learning, interdisciplinary exploration, and field trips. The episode concludes with a reflection on the impact of Bulger's lifelong pursuit of education, suggesting that his experiment has created a unique and compelling educational experience, both for himself and for his daughter.
Outlines
The Perpetual Student: Benjamin Bulger
This episode introduces Benjamin Bulger, a 48-year-old man who has earned over a dozen degrees from prestigious universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. The reporter, Joe Bernstein, explores Bulger's unique life and the reasons behind his relentless pursuit of higher education.
Bulger's Educational Journey and College Admissions Consulting
This chapter delves into Bulger's childhood, his passion for learning, and his early enrollment in college at the age of 11. It then focuses on his career as a private college admissions consultant, exploring his unique approach to coaching students and the high fees associated with his services.
The Power of Storytelling and Holistic Learning
This chapter examines the changing landscape of college admissions and the increasing emphasis on storytelling. Bulger emphasizes the importance of crafting compelling narratives to stand out in a competitive application pool. It also explores Bulger's educational philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on learning, interdisciplinary exploration, and field trips.
The Impact of Bulger's Experiment in Education
This chapter reflects on the impact of Bulger's lifelong pursuit of education. It suggests that his experiment has created a unique and compelling educational experience, both for himself and for his daughter, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning and the power of personal narratives.
Keywords
Perpetual Student
A person who continuously pursues higher education, often earning multiple degrees from various institutions. This term reflects the individual's dedication to lifelong learning and their pursuit of knowledge beyond traditional educational milestones.
Holistic Admissions
A college admissions process that considers a wide range of factors beyond academic performance, such as extracurricular activities, essays, and personal qualities. This approach aims to create a diverse and well-rounded student body.
Self-Narrativization
The process of constructing and presenting a compelling personal story, often in the context of college applications or professional development. This involves highlighting key experiences, achievements, and values to create a memorable and impactful narrative.
Interdisciplinary Learning
An educational approach that integrates knowledge and perspectives from multiple disciplines. This fosters a broader understanding of complex issues and encourages students to think critically and creatively.
Bespoke Education
A personalized and tailored educational experience designed to meet the specific needs and interests of an individual. This approach emphasizes individual learning styles, goals, and aspirations.
Q&A
What is Benjamin Bulger's unique characteristic that makes him stand out?
Benjamin Bulger is known as America's preeminent perpetual student, having earned over a dozen degrees from prestigious universities over the past 30 years.
What is the main reason behind Bulger's relentless pursuit of higher education?
Bulger simply states that he loves learning and finds joy in the process of acquiring knowledge.
How has the college admissions process changed in recent years?
College admissions have become increasingly competitive, with a greater emphasis on storytelling and crafting compelling narratives to stand out from the crowd.
What is Bulger's approach to college admissions consulting?
Bulger focuses on helping students develop their personal narratives and present themselves in a compelling way through essays and other application materials.
What is the significance of Bulger's experiment in education?
Bulger's lifelong pursuit of education has created a unique and compelling educational experience, both for himself and for his daughter, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning and the power of personal narratives.
Show Notes
Benjamin B. Bolger has been to Harvard and Stanford and Yale. He has been to Columbia and Dartmouth and Oxford, and Cambridge, Brandeis and Brown. Over all, Bolger has 14 advanced degrees, plus an associate’s and a bachelor’s.
Against a backdrop of pervasive cynicism about the nature of higher education, it is tempting to dismiss a figure like Bolger as the wacky byproduct of an empty system. Then again, Bolger has run himself through that system, over and over and over again; it continues to take him in, and he continues to return to it for more.
Table of contents
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