A study done in 2017 by Image America Foundation revealed 5 top reasons students don't attend college. They are as follows:
No one in their family has gone to college;
They didn't do well in high school, so they think college will be too hard;
They don't know how to choose a college;
They think they won't fit in; or
They think they can't afford college.
A 2019 article by NPR entitled "Fewer Students Are Going To College. Here's Why That Matters" points out some other factors leading to students not attending college. One of the major factors that this article points out is that a strong economy was to blame for postponing college. The article also says that the lack of state assistance with tuition is driving up college costs. Thus, forcing students and parents to have to be responsible for the rising costs of education.
The year 2020 introduce another layer of complexity to the college admissions issue. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced much uncertainty in the educational arena, especially among minorities. According to an article published by Inside Higher Education, sixty-four percent of minority students' plans regarding college enrollment changed compared to forty-four percent of white students.
Affordability is a critical issue. However, many of the reasons students don't attend can change with help, encouragement, and guidance. Even affordability issues can be minimized if students are equipped with what is necessary and have a preparation plan.
This is why I developed the College Readiness 101 program. It is a plan to help students prepare successfully for college. The books in the series start at the eighth-grade level and go up to the 12th grade. Each of the books provides a breakdown of what students at each grade level should be doing to make the college admissions process more seamless than with no preparation.
High school students can benefit from the 4-part series covering how they should prepare according to their grade level. The Freshman book provides a general overview of what to expect now that you are in high school and how to start gaining insight into college. Sophomore year is when you begin to solidify your college goals. This book helps the student to start setting goals and start laying the foundation for career goals. Junior year is where all the action begins. The Junior book covers critical issues like vetting colleges, attending college fairs, settling on a major, and seeking funding. Senior year is just as vital as Junior year but this is the time to tie up all loose ends and get ready for the transition. This book discusses how to complete admissions applications, applying for financial aid, and making your final decision on what college to attend.
I also have included a 5-part series of eBooks for parents to learn how they can help their teens prepare for college. A supportive home environment is crucial to developing a solid mindset for college admissions. The parent series covers issues such as college selection, funding college, developing your teen's social and emotional well-being, and more.
Many challenges are leading to decreased enrollment in college. The pandemic has added complexity to this issue. Despite these setbacks, my resources are designed to help both students and parents to overcome these challenges. The sooner students and parents start with this educational series, the more confident they will be transitioning from high school to college.
As the saying goes, "proper preparation prevents poor performance," this especially applies to college preparation. Starting early will help students break through the external barriers that currently exist and overcome personal setbacks that stand in the way.
Purchase College Readiness 101 today and start investing in your future.
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