1. Why College? Claudia Morales School/University Partnerships University of California, Berkeley

2. Educational Journey What messages did you receive both negative and positive, about your ability and your potential to go to college? From whom? What high school preparation did you receive? Did you have a choice of preparation? What generation college are you or your child? 1 st in your family or so many you can’t keep track? Who paid? When you were in high school, did you easily see yourself as a college student?

3. What are the advantages of a college education? Intellectual Developmental Financial

4. Intellectual Exposure to courses and areas of study that are not available anywhere else Increase in reading, writing, mathematical and analytical skills which will help in every aspect of life Exposure to professors who are doing cutting edge research in their field.

5. Developmental Increase in maturity and responsibility due to students’ having complete responsibility for their academic career-no hand holding or reminders! Exposure to a vast array of cultures, philosophies, ways of life and a need for tolerance of those differences. Exposure to a vast array of student activities and opportunities including student groups, tutoring, mentoring and study abroad. Transition to adulthood

6. Financial A four-year college graduate earns almost $1 million dollars more over his or her lifetime than a high school graduate. The average annual income of a four-year college graduate is about $52,000, compared to the average annual income of $30,400 for a high school graduate. With a college education, one can also expect better working conditions, longer job tenure, more on-the job training opportunities and more promotion opportunities.