Dr. Troutt and Dr. Mott are longtime friends from their days working on doctorate degrees at Vanderbilt University in the 1970s. “Dr. Mott is a terrific leader,” Dr. Troutt told PA students the next day at a campus event. “I’ve known him for a long time.”

On Tuesday, Dr. Troutt spent the morning with various members of the PA faculty and student body. In the upper school lecture hall, he spent some time answering questions from juniors and seniors who are in the college selection and application process.

“There are more than 4,000 colleges in the U.S. and one is right for every person,” he said. “But you are fortunate that you have someone helping you through the process,” he said, referring to PA’s college advising program led by Cheryl Watts.

“Finding the right college is huge. It’s a decision that impacts so much of your future . . . your entire  life.”

But where you go to high school is an even bigger deal.  PA students do well at colleges like Rhodes but it all starts here. This school was a very good choice and that will matter in the {college} application process.”

“We grade schools like we grade students,” said Troutt of how Rhodes selects students. “We realize that PA is a more rigorous place to go to school than perhaps others. We know that if you thrive here, you will thrive at a college like Rhodes.”

Of course, many students wanted to hear what the top colleges are looking for in applicants. Dr. Troutt had much to say there, as well.

“The trend is to put less emphasis on test scores but they still matter. Grades are important but equally important is what people say about you. We are looking for students who have head and heart knowledge. Tell us in your application what you have done outside the classroom to help others, either through school or your church.

“When two applicants both have great transcripts, sometimes it’s those intangible things that we look for that tell us a student is really passionate about something and will be successful at our school.”

“It’s not just about your brain, it’s about your character.”

Troutt recommended a book for students and parents, Colleges that Change Lives: The 40 Schools You Should Know About Even if You're Not a Straigh-A Student written by Loren Pope (availabe in paperback on amazon.com).

Bill Topich’s thesis class also welcomed Dr. Troutt Tuesday, who was most impressed with the advanced study and research involved in the students’ preparation and defense of a 50-plus page thesis paper. Topics the students were writing papers on included the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia and effectiveness of nonviolent civic action.

His largest audience, however, was a group of PA 8^th grade students who welcomed Dr. Troutt as their first leadership luncheon speaker. The packed lecture hall was silent as Dr. Troutt gave the students some very good advice about how they should approach their upper school years.

“The world will open up to you after PA in ways you can’t even imagine right now.” said Troutt. “You have won the lottery already by coming here. But how well you do at PA is very important. By my estimation, you have a little over 2 million minutes until it’s time for you to apply for college, and it’s a big deal to go to a good college like Rhodes.

“When you enter high school next year, what you do with your time will tell a lot about your future. Spend those minutes wisely. Every minute you spend on academics, you will never regret. Look through the rearview mirror. What are you going to tell colleges that you have been doing for the last four years?”