Lessons Learned: Working with First-Generation Students

Anna Takahashi Eastside College Prep Share, Learn, Connect

March 2014

Defining “First Generation”

• Students whose parent(s) did not complete a 4-year undergraduate degree (per US Department of Education, University of California, etc.)

• Other considerations: – Students whose parents were educated outside the US

• Underemployment • Different educational systems

– Children whose parents recently received their 4-year degree

– May not be the first in the family to attend college – May or may not also be a first-generation American – Can come from different income backgrounds

% Distribution of US 5- to 17-Year Olds by First Gen Status and Race/Ethnicity

23 24

28

41 42

50

61

34

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

White Asian American Multiracial Black/AfricanAmerican

AmericanIndian/Alaska

Native

NativeHawaiian/Pacific

Islander

Hispanic/Latino Total US

Percentage

Source: College Board via NCES

Some Numbers

• 4.5 million low-income, first-generation students in post-secondary education (24% of the undergraduate population)

• Low-income, first-generation students were nearly four times more likely to leave higher education after the first year than students who had neither of these risk factors.

• Six years later, 43% of low-income, first-generation students had left college without earning their degrees. Among those who left, 60% did so after the first year. Only 11% earned their bachelors degrees.

• Low-income, first-generation students were actually seven times more likely to earn bachelor’s degrees if they started in four-year institutions, but only 25% of them did so.

• Only 14% of low-income, first-generation students attending public two-year and for-profit institutions transferred to four-year institutions within 6 years.

(2008 Pell Institute Study)

Challenges Facing First-Generation Students in College Access

• Financial

• Cultural

• Structural

• Bump in the road? Detour? Road block?

Financial Challenges Facing First-Generation Students in College Access

• Pre-college costs – Registering to take standardized tests

– Sending test scores

– College application fees

– Financial aid application fees (CSS PROFILE)

– Enrollment deposits

– Housing application fees/deposits

– Visiting campuses

• Sticker shock from costs of attendance

Financial Challenges Facing First-Generation Students in College Access • Maneuvering financial aid

– Hoping for the “full ride” – Loan aversion – Loan gullibility – Reading financial aid award letters (PLUS loans) – Covering costs for one year vs. four/five years

• Unforeseen expenses – Travel to/from campus – “Miscellaneous Fees” – student services, printing, ID

card, laundry, orientation, parking, etc.

• AB 540 students and/or undocumented parents

Cultural Challenges Facing First-Generation Students in College Access

• Limited knowledge (types of colleges, geographic areas, majors, selection criteria, etc.)

• “Liberal arts” vs. professional degree/career

• Pressure or lack of support from family, peers, community – Family responsibilities and priorities

– Leaving home/leaving the family

– When the going gets tough, “come home”

• Stereotypes of college (whitewashing, reppin’)

Structural Challenges Facing First-Generation Students in College Access • Academic preparation • Too many sources of information – what’s

relevant? What’s trustworthy? • So many moving pieces • Starting too late • Deadlines • Logistics – eg., registering, prepping, taking tests,

sending scores, following up, etc. • Completing forms • Unfamiliar vernacular

Learning Another Language

Addressing the Academic Challenges

• Start early (middle school program) and mandatory summer bridge for rising 6th and 9th graders

• Exceed requirements for admission to 4-year colleges (AP, college courses); highly structured

• Extra writing built into the curriculum including several major research papers in 11th and 12th grades

• College readiness built into the humanities curriculum

• Summer course offerings including CC classes

Addressing the Academic Challenges

• Small class sizes

• Extended school day

• Tutorials led by faculty

• Set high standards

• All students take at least two AP classes

• All students take the PSAT in 9th, 10th and 11th

• SAT prep built into the curriculum (10th and 11th)

Addressing the Cultural Challenges

• Creating a college-going culture where all are expected to go to four-year colleges

• Close-knit, family environment • Summer enrichment program • Parent volunteer hours • “EFC” • Dedicated classroom space for the college center

in the middle of campus • Alumni support team • Emphasis on “adult responsibilities” for seniors

Addressing Resource Challenges

• Extended school day

• Alumni support team

• Career pathways program for alumni

• Community service built into graduation requirements

• College trips for juniors

• Exposure to a range of colleges – Keeping an open mind about college choices

• Dedicated space for the college center

Addressing Resource Challenges

• College counseling course (Senior College Prep) in 12th – 2-week “boot camp” before start of 12th grade

– Mandatory that all students apply to local CSU

– Completion of college applications by mid December

– Completion of financial aid applications in class in January

– Mandatory student/parent meeting in April to discuss college options

Addressing Resource Challenges

• Senior College Prep (cont.)

– Transition to college topics covered

– Personal finance and financial literacy

– Self-advocacy and “adult responsibilities”

– Opportunities to bring in alumni, parents, guest speakers, et al.

This boils down to…

• Building relationships (students, families, faculty, colleagues, college representatives, community leaders, alumni, et al).

• Setting and communicating high standards

• Being flexible – there is no such thing as a “typical” day

• Having a sense of humor – laugh from the belly

• Believing

Contact Info:

Anna Takahashi Director of College Counseling

Eastside College Prep annat@eastside.org 650-688-0850 x103