The mind-set of the incoming college freshmen

Leningrad? What's that? St. Petersburg is no longer named for the man whose tomb is shown here in Red Square.

And what's the big deal about balsamic vinegar? Peppered balsamic ice cream like this might still be rare, but balsamic vinegar is pretty everyday to the class of 2012.

A lifetime of images and ideas has come and gone in the last 20 years. Who's Harry Potter? A world-class wizard, or a student in your history class? What's the big deal about GPS navigation systems in the car? Whatever: a word that means something, or an all-purpose expression?

Almost 2 million young people are heading to college for the first time during the next few weeks. Many of them were born in 1990, and their mind-set is markedly different than that of many of the people who will be their professors.

Each August for 11 years, Beloit College in Wisconsin has released its "Mindset List," looking at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students. The list is created by Tom McBride, Keefer professor of the humanities, and Ron Nief, public affairs director.

Below are some of the points on the list, or read the whole list and the previous lists.

For these students:

• Since they were in diapers, karaoke machines have been annoying people at parties.
• Shampoo and conditioner have always been available in the same bottle.
• Girls in head scarves have always been part of the school fashion scene.
• Clarence Thomas has always sat on the Supreme Court.
• There have always been gay rabbis.
• College grads have always been able to Teach for America.
• IBM has never made typewriters.
• Authorities have always been building a wall across the Mexican border.
• Lenin’s name has never been on a major city in Russia.
• Balsamic vinegar has always been available in the U.S.
• Living wills have always been asked for at hospital check-ins.

-- Mary MacVean

Moscow photo by Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times

Ice cream photo by Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times