A significant amount of attention is focused on the role of race in the college choice process, although recent reports have begun to focus on the access problem that exists for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, especially with regards to selective colleges. One report found that only about 10% of students at highly selective colleges came from the lowest 40% of the family income distribution. While race receives most of the public’s attention, we need to focus more on the role of income in who attends college.

Compounding the fact that low-income students have largely been ignored in the college admissions process is that they are the ones that benefit most from attending elite universities. These students benefit personally from higher rates of graduation and higher incomes after graduation, and society benefits from decreased dependence on public services and increased diversity in corporate, political, and military leadership.

Furthermore, most elite universities, while claiming to desire low SES students, have not been giving any them preferences during the admissions process. Findings like these on the effect of family income on college attendance have been remarkable, further highlighting the vast inequalities in higher education, especially at highly selective universities.

Labels: College Admissions, College Success, College Success Studies, ready for college, Student Success, Successful College Student

The following represent the third of a three-part guest entry to my blog by Michael Staton who works with Batiq – a “social entrepreneurship company that is dedicated to revolutionizing education and creating more purposeful uses for technology.” In simpler terms, Batiq preps students for college.

Staton interviewed students at Stanford and UC Berkeley. Students were asked to describe behaviors of a successful college student. Then all behaviors were grouped and assigned an attribute name. According to these focus groups, nine attributes, overall, describe a successful college student. Attributes are listed in the order from their perceived commonness -- from the most common to the least. Attributes seem to build on each other and become more difficult to obtain requiring more wisdom and skill as the list progresses. The attributes are listed as: Inquisitive, Adaptive, Self-Motivated, Insightful, Passionate, Committed, Creative, Professional, and Synergetic.

Successful students also have a professional attitude and demeanor, even for school. They understand appropriate behavior and dress, and can communicate articulately to different audiences using different voices. They have worked with people from different backgrounds, and shown themselves a valuable team member. They have earned the trust of organizations and supervisors by their punctuality, their consistent commitment, and their exemplary productivity. They have shown commitment to their organizations, but also worked with and mobilized other organizations with mutual interests towards the same common goal.

While being professional is the ability to work within organizations, being synergetic is the ability to lead organizations for superior outcomes. Exemplary individuals can bring people together with seemingly little in common and bridge cultural or communicative gaps. They can articulate a common goal that did not preexist, and clearly identify roles for each person or organization. They see the value in every person, and bring out the productivity and energy of all involved by using each according to their individual strengths and goals. Individual weaknesses are mitigated through strong leadership and individual conflicts are mediated by offering effective compromises or win-win solutions. Synergetic leadership is often founded upon strong integrity and excellence in the other eight areas.

One may conclude that students’ college persistence, college completion and college success would all increase along with an increasing count of the attributes described above.

Labels: College Preparation, Successful College Student

The following represents the second of a three-part guest entry to my blog by Michael Staton who works with Batiq – a “social entrepreneurship company that is dedicated to revolutionizing education and creating more purposeful uses for technology.” In simpler terms, Batiq preps students for college.
Staton interviewed students at Stanford and UC Berkeley. Students were asked to describe behaviors of a successful college student. Then all behaviors were grouped and assigned an attribute name. According to these focus groups, nine attributes, overall, describe a successful college student. Attributes are listed in the order from their perceived commonness -- from the most common to the least. Attributes seem to build on each other and become more difficult to obtain requiring more wisdom and skill as the list progresses. The attributes are listed as: Inquisitive, Adaptive, Self-Motivated, Insightful, Passionate, Committed, Creative, Professional, and Synergetic.
Those that are insightful take learning beyond what is presented to them and find novel perspectives or solutions. They enjoy thinking critically and do not accept a single source, no matter how important or authoritative. They have thought through the opportunities available to them and know which ones they would like to take and why. Unique opinions and alternative visions excite them, and they often think them up. Strategizing and initiating a unique project assures their contribution to their involvements.
Passionate people can inspire others by articulating and arguing their commitments. They know how to affirm the commitment of others. Without regard for companionship or reward, they will initiate and inspire, often with great risk. When others are unenthusiastic, they can be an example of steadfast energy. Passionate people are out to make a difference.
If passion gets things started, it is staying committed that truly leads to accomplishment. Committed individuals persevere despite setbacks and failure, sometimes repeatedly. They stick with activities and hobbies for the long term, and maintain membership in organizations as others come and go. The mastery of a skill is a common determinant of commitment, and truly committed individuals can often perform in one or two areas at a near professional level. They have often sacrificed large amounts of free time to develop themselves and their experience. Committed individuals inquire, find passion, and then provide the follow through that it takes to truly excel.
Creative students are not afraid to try new things. They create original works of art or scholarship. They solve problems that others have failed at solving by approaching it from a new perspective. They have come up with creative solutions for organizations by thinking outside of the box. Being creative is not limited to arts and scholarship; it is also approaching life with a unique vision for themselves, for organizations and institutions, as well as for the future.

Labels: Successful College Student

The following is the first of a three-part guest entry to my blog by Michael Staton who works with Batiq – a “social entrepreneurship company that is dedicated to revolutionizing education and creating more purposeful uses for technology.” In simpler terms, Batiq preps students for college.

Staton interviewed students at Stanford and UC Berkeley. Students were asked to describe behaviors of a successful college student. Then all behaviors were grouped and assigned an attribute name. According to these focus groups, nine attributes, overall, describe a successful college student. Attributes are listed in the order from their perceived commonness -- from the most common to the least. Attributes seem to build on each other and become more difficult to obtain requiring more wisdom and skill as the list progresses. The attributes are listed as: Inquisitive, Adaptive, Self-Motivated, Insightful, Passionate, Committed, Creative, Professional, and Synergetic.

A student that will succeed at college is inquisitive. In class and outside of class, they often think of questions and are not afraid to ask them. They often spend time researching topics of interest. Testing a variety of activities and career options has been a mainstay of their experience. They have identified people around them that know more than they do, and have developed mentorships with them. They have inquired into other cultures and locations, and developed a keen awareness for the value of others and their heritage.

Adaptive students can adjust to changing expectations and environments. They are perceptive to evolving norms, among social groups and institutions. They live up to their responsibilities, in school and employment. They enjoy travel and can adapt to new surroundings and those of different cultures. They find their personal weaknesses and learn how to overcome them. Challenging situations do not set them back significantly, as they rise to the occasion.
Self-motivated individuals have found their inspiration intrinsically. They have seen a higher purpose to their behavior and persevere without help through multiple obstacles. Where they are involved, they have actively sought out responsibilities and initiated projects or activities. Volunteering is something they do commonly. Imposing higher standards on themselves, they do not wait for their environments to set higher expectations – they go out of their way constantly challenge themselves in their coursework and in life.

Labels: Succeed at College, Successful College Student