(Reprinted with permission from Seventeen)
“After I finished reading ‘Why I Busted College’by Roy Park, Jr. in the October issue, I turned off my radio and got down to some real serious studying.” M.S., Detroit, Mich.
“Every time I start daydreaming while I study, or wonder how I’ll get everything done, I shall take out Roy Park’s article and read some of it!” C.G., Lafayette, La.
“I can doubly appreciate Roy Park’s story, since I, too, lived for the mailman and the college board’s verdict. I’m back in school now, with great hopes of receiving my diploma in education someday. Thanks for the most sincere story.” M.H., Park Forest, Ill.
“Few of your many excellent articles have impressed me as much as ‘Why I Busted College.’As a high-school senior with my hopes set on Cornell, I am grateful to Mr. Park for his frank account of his experience. Am I discouraged? Not at all. I feel that I can now face college, be it Cornell or not, with a more realistic idea of what obtaining further education requires. Everyone who attends or plans to attend college should read this article.” Z.W., Havertown, Pa.
“Upon reading this article, I received a severe blow; for as a college freshman I am following in the exact footsteps of Mr. Park. But I think his article has helped me a great deal to realize my mistakes.” V.I., Salisbury, N.C.
“Roy Park’s article is a timely reminder that college is no place to goof off. So now, back to my homework.” K. McK., Oakland, Calif.
Some additional letters received directly from parents and students included comments such as: “Seventeen is a sell out on campus! No joke, every copy has been sold…” “The whole story seems so familiar that it’s ridiculous…” “Real boon to worried parents of which I am one…” “Certainly going to help thousands of young men and girls across the USA…” “I just hope that some college-to-be student realizes what you have written…” “Imagine a G.I. going into a drugstore and with no hesitation buying a woman’s magazine. I told the saleslady I liked to look at the models.”
“Your article...has a great deal of moral appeal in that it may help some poor girl to stay in school and not make the same mistakes we all have.”
“This article fits me so perfectly in every factor of my college days it is difficult to believe.”