What high school students and their parents should know about college D. Merrill Ewert, Ph.D. President Emeritus Fresno Pacific University D. Merrill Ewert, Ph.D. President Emeritus Fresno Pacific University

Questions you should be asking What does it take to get into college? What should I know about a college before I apply? What does it take to succeed in college? What steps can I take to ensure that I graduate on time?

Some important words…. SATs and ACTs FAFSA Financial aid Stafford Loans Pell Grants Federal Work Study “Scholarships”

What should I know about a college before applying? Net cost of college, not just the “sticker price” How accessible are the faculty? Who teaches the courses? (Grad students?) What’s the four-year graduation rate? Its academic reputation Opportunities for international/intercultural experiences Quality of the support system

How parents can help Establish the expectation of success Teach time management skills Encourage math Make college visits early Enroll students in test-prep courses Focus on “net price,” not “sticker price” Complete FAFSA in timely way Regular conversation with your student

Preparing for college: what the research says to high school students Start planning early – Middle school Work hard in the classroom Take Algebra II Enroll in a writing-intensive course Take Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry Enroll in an SAT or ACT test-prep course Consider taking a college course(s)

What the research says about college success….

Who Earns a College Degree? 208% higher – if come from highest income quartile rather than lowest income quartile 38% higher – if parents have bachelor’s or higher rather than high school or less 40% higher – if took Algebra II/trigonometry 93% higher – if took pre-calculus/calculus The probabilities are: Source: Higher Education: Gaps in Access and Persistence Study. US Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, August 2012.

Who Earns a College Degree? 52% higher – if took ACT or SAT 39% higher – if earned college credits in high school 30% higher – if met advisor during first year The probabilities are: Source: Higher Education: Gaps in Access and Persistence Study. US Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, August 2012.

Who Earns a College Degree? 39% higher – if participate in school club during first year 200%+ higher – if always enrolled full -time (compared to those enrolled part-time for some or all semesters) 63% higher – if started at 4-year school The probabilities are: Source: Higher Education: Gaps in Access and Persistence Study. US Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, August 2012.

Who Earns a College Degree? 59% lower – if started at for-profit school; (for women, 74% lower than starting at a public) 39% higher – if participate in school club during first year 200%+ – if always enrolled full -time (compared to those enrolled part-time for some or all semesters) The probabilities are: Source: Higher Education: Gaps in Access and Persistence Study. US Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, August 2012.

Who Earns a College Degree? 19% lower – if work more than 20 hours/week (it’s 30% lower for men) 60% lower – for each stop-out during one’s postsecondary years The probabilities are: Source: Higher Education: Gaps in Access and Persistence Study. US Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, August 2012.

Number of schools attended and months required to earn a degree* Median48 or less More than 120 One school Two schools /6 Three or more (Source: Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B: 08/09); National Center for Educational Statistics, Table 3) * first-time bachelor’s degree recipients Key finding: The more often you transfer, the longer it will take to graduate!

Starting college strong Enroll in a “summer bridge program” Pre-register during the summer Participate fully in orientation Get to know your advisor; set up a 4-year plan during the first semester Form a study group in your hardest classes Participate in at least two activities Get a calendar app—and use it!

Succeeding in college: what the research says Aim high! Outline a clear pathway to your degree See your advisor every semester; monitor your plan Attend every class session Have an intercultural experience: study abroad/global learning

Succeeding in college: continued…. Seek help early when you are struggling (the academic support office, tutors, etc Get involved in service-learning projects Seek out an internship Participate in capstone project

Increasing the probability of success Going directly from high school to college Enrolling in a four-year institution Going full-time Not “stopping-out” (each stop-out reduces the probability of succeeding by 60%) Not working more than 20 hours per week If you have to work, get a job on campus

It’s easy to get into college; the hard part is getting out!