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Washington University in St. Louis News & Information > Faculty Experts at Washington University in St. Louis >

Karen L. Coburn

Senior consultant in residence
  • Senior consultant in residence, Students

Expertise: college experience, freshman transition, letting go, students

Bio:
Coburn
Download
Karen Levin Coburn is one of the country's leading experts on the college experience. She is co-author of the acclaimed book, Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years, which, in its fourth printing, has sold more than 330,000 copies. Coburn is often quoted in the national and international media for her tips on helping students and parents make a smooth transition from high school to college- from what to bring, to what to expect, to how to stay in touch. She can also address issues related to students' physical and mental health and well-being on campus.

WUSTL Contact Information:
Work:(314) 935-5040
Fax:(314) 935-8516
E-mail:coburn@wustl.edu

Education:
  • M.A. in Counseling at Washington University in St. Louis
  • M.A.T. in English at Harvard University
  • B.A. in English at Skidmore College


News Stories & Tip Sheets:

Showing Stories 1 through 5 of 9.  - Show More
'Digital natives'

Constant contact between college students and parents could hinder development

July 30, 2009 --
Coburn
Whether your child is going away to college this fall across town or across the country, there are more ways to keep in touch than ever before. With today's ubiquitous cell phones and access to Twitter, Facebook and texting, it may seem as though your child has never left the house. For students, there is the ever-present possibility of an available parent at the end of a cordless tether, which has the potential to hinder the letting go process, claims an expert on the college transition at Washington University in St. Louis.


Back-to-school

WUSTL experts available for comment on issues children and parents face each fall

Aug. 8, 2008 -- Your kid just got beat up by the fifth-grade bully. Or perhaps you aren't sure the lunches are healthy enough for your child to be eating. Maybe you've even noticed a change in your child's behavior after returning to school. Washington University has several experts that can comment on any one of these concerns, as well as many others that arise when children are going ... back to school, whether it's kindergarten, high school or college.


Not just another face in the crowd

Students should use common sense when posting to Facebook.com, says expert

July 31, 2007 --
Coburn
Coburn
Think you know your daughter's potential college roommate for her freshman year? Think again. Not to imply that your daughter will be rooming with an alien being, but as Facebook.com continues to gain popularity, it's become easier for students to post information that may or may not always be true, which can pose problems for professors, friends and future employers. Students need to remember that a Facebook.com posting becomes public information. And the persona they create online may be hard to maintain once they arrive on campus, says a leading expert on the college experience.


Letting Go:

Karen Coburn makes college transition easier for students and parents

July 16, 2007 -- Karen Coburn is co-author of the acclaimed book, "Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years," which, in its fourth printing, has sold nearly 300,000 copies. Coburn is often quoted in the national and international media for her tips on helping students and parents make a smooth transition from high school to college — from what to bring, to what to expect, to how to stay in touch.


Home for the holidays

When college kids come home for the winter break, stress and tension can mount

Dec. 6, 2006 --
Students may come home exhausted from the stress of final exams.
Students may come home exhausted from the stress of final exams.
When college students return home for their winter break, it can be an adjustment for the entire family. While parents may have preconceived ideas about how the family will spend the holidays, students are anxious to try out their newfound independence. "The winter break is the first extended time at home for most freshmen since they left for college in the summer," says Karen Levin Coburn, associate vice chancellor for students and dean of the freshman transition at Washington University in St. Louis. "The first semester at college may have been their first glimpse of freedom. They wonder if it is possible to go home and still maintain their newfound independence." More...



Showing Stories 1 through 5 of 9.  - Show More
Clips:

Showing Clips 1 through 3 of 8.  - Show More
Show More Clips
Break It to 'Em Gently: Telling Kids About Financial Woes
The Wall Street Journal

March 25, 2009 -- Advice for parents explaining to children what changes may need to take place when a family faces economic hardship. WUSTL senior consultant and author Karen Levin Coburn.


Discussing Family Finances With a Student
The Wall Street Journal online

Jan. 29, 2009 -- Sue Shellenbarger refers to advice offered by WUSTL senior consultant Karen Coburn, about how parents should talk to college-age kids about a downturn in family finances.


Parents learn how to let go in the technological age
NPR Morning Edition

Feb. 8, 2008 -- When kids head off to college, parents are forced to separate themselves from what has been a constant hands-on job for years. Parents and students comment on "Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Year," by WUSTL's Karen Levin Coburn.



Related Information
Media Assistance:

Neil Schoenherr
News Writer; Assoc. Record Editor
nschoenherr@wustl.edu

(314) 935-5235
Related Links:
Coburn faculty profile
How to deal with college students coming home for the summer...

Related Groups:

Campus-wide:
Students

- View All Groups

Related Topics:
Higher Education Issues
Parenting / Family
Race / Gender Issues
Self Help
Youth / Teenage

- View All Topics

Revised:

Friday, Aug. 8, 2008


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