Count on College ALearn to Aspire and Achieve Aspire Inspire Expect Results of ALearn’s College...

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Results of ALearn’s College Student SurveyAugust 2008

©2008 ALearn. All rights reserved. 2College Student Survey Results

Objectives

Identify and understand the following:• What helped underrepresented college students succeed in

high school• What elements of college-prep programs are most helpful• Roles of parents, teachers and other mentors for college

students• The transition to college, and what was most difficult

Solicit advice for current underrepresented high school students


Methodology

Online Survey Only • Sent via email, with link• 34 questions – 21 closed-ended, 13 open-ended• Not a representative sample – looked for successful students

− Looked for undergraduates who succeeded in high school

− Heavy local distribution

Distributed to students from…• Los Altos High School AVID• Eastside College Prep• Other Santa Clara county public schools• Columbia University


The Findings - Overview

103 surveys reported as of August 22, 2008• High schools attended by respondents

− 70% attended a public high school− 18% attended a non-religious private high school− 11% attended a religious private high school− 1% were home schooled

• Schools which respondents are currently/recently attending− 30% at public four-year universities− 60% at private four-year universities− 10% at community and junior colleges

• Progress of students by credits− 21% of students were in the fourth year of school− 20% of students were in the third year of school− 24% had completed college within the past three years

• Post-college plans− 50% expect to find work in their field of study− 22% expect to enter graduate studies immediately


Did your Parents go to College?

Yes (38% or 39/103)

No (62% or 64/103)• Of the “No” responses, 81% are attending or attended four-year

universities− 56% at private schools, 33% are at public schools

− Other 11% are at community or junior college

• Of the “No” responses, 30% did not always assume that they would go to college, but, of those students, 100% are currently attending four-year universities


Most Influential Factors in Decision to Attend College (Open-ended)

Family (33/103)• Parent’s lack of education as motivation to pursue higher

education• Parent’s overall encouragement• Desire to set an example for siblings

− “I wanted to be a role model for my brothers and encourage them to seek a higher education. My parents were also my motivation.”

Economic Factors (27/103)• Better prospect of future financial stability• Higher chance of being hired for a job

− “I understood in high school that to have a better future, I have to get my education first.”

− Similar response to what parents said on surveys


Most Influential Factors in Decision to Attend College (Open-ended)

Other factors include:• Desire to create a change in the community

− “One of the most important factors in my decision to attend college was my desire to create a change in the community…”

• Desire to get way from home − “I wanted to go to a college that was away from home… to use

college as an opportunity to experience life in a different area.”

• Need for a challenge− “I wanted to prove [to] myself I was capable of going to college and

getting a degree.”

• Self-determination− “Determination to prove the ‘expectations’ wrong and I am the first

one of my family to be attending college.”


Top 2 Reasons for Selecting their Particular College or University (Open-ended)

Location and School Atmosphere (37/103)• Close enough or far enough from home

− “It is close to home and financially wise.”

− “It's far away and it will allow me to become independent.”

• Right “fit” (includes school size and level of diversity)− “…it was close to home and I just felt in love with the campus

environment.”

Economic Factors (26/103)• Good financial aid package

− “The campus was small and I received the most financial aid.”

• Affordable for current financial position− “Going to a school within the state I resided was more cost

efficient.”


Other Reasons for Selecting their Particular College or University (Open-ended)

Prestige and Reputation (16/103)• Among top-ranking schools

− “The school I will be attending is known to be rigorous and offer a great education.”

Other factors include:• School’s philosophy• Small class size• Programs and degrees offered • Recommendations from family• Faculty at the school• Place in which to take general education courses before

transferring


The Most Influential Middle School Programs

Almost two-thirds (63%) of students had no program in middle school that influenced their decision to attend college.

What programs in middle school influenced your decision to go to college?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

AVID After school program atyour school

After school programoutside your school

A Summer schoolprogram

Other None

Categories students rated

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The Most Influential High School Programs

College/career centers were cited as the most influential resources in high school, with 40% of respondents citing it as such. A great deal of AVID students were given the survey, accounting for a great deal of responses for that program.

What programs in high school influenced your decision to go to college?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

AVID College/CareerCenter

MESA Summer program Outside after-schoolprogram

Other None


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The Most Encouraging and Most Informative Adults During a Student’s High School Career

Parents were most encouraging to 52% of respondents, but teachers and counselors were the most informative, with 35% and 26% of respondents citing them as such, respectively.

Who encouraged you the most to attend college, and who was the most helpful person who informed you about colleges?

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20

30

40

50

60

Parent/guardian Relative Teacher Counselor Friend Other adult mentor Other person No one (self-initiated)

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Most encouraging Most informative


Most Useful Resources with Difficult Classes in High School (Open-ended)

Teachers (41/103)• “My teachers were always helpful. My school was a very close knit

community.”

• “Teachers- Roma Hammel, Joanne Miahara, Michelle Bisonnette.”

Older Students and Siblings (14/103)• “My older sister helped me the most because she had gone through it

once before.”

• “…occasionally classmates, and older students who had taken the class.”

Counselor or Advisor (10/103)• “My advisor who was also like a friend was the one that I went to

whenever I had problems in high school with a class.”

• “My advisor and teachers helped me the most because they wanted me to do well so they took the extra time to help.”


Parental Involvement in High School Career and the College Application Process

Parents tended not to be as involved in either a student’s high school career (with 30% reporting minimal involvement) or college applications (with 33% reporting no involvement).

How involved were your parents in your high school career? In the college application process?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Very involved Involved Somewhat involved Minimally involved Not involved

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In high school career In college application process


How Well Students were Prepared in Particular Subjects

Math skills and general organization skills were those for which students were most prepared. But almost 40% had poor or mediocre math prep, almost half had poor or mediocre science prep, and most categories indicate that between 40-45% of students did NOT receive “very good or excellent” preparation.

In what areas did you enter college with very good or excellent, and conversely, poor or mediocre preparation?

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10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Math skills Science skills Writing skills Critical thinkingskills

Computerskills

Generalorganization

skills

Timemanagement

skills

Note takingskills

Ability to relatewith to

teachers

Social skillswith otherstudents

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Very good or excellent preparation Poor or mediocre preparation


The Major Obstacles to Reaching College

Similar to parents, students found financial aid to be clearly the most difficult obstacle to overcome, with 54% of responses.

What were the most difficult obstacles/barriers to overcome in gaining acceptance to college?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Academic readiness/preparation

Financial capability/aid

Lack of knowledge about the college system in the U.S.

Poor grades

Understanding the application process

Support from teachers and school administrators

Support from parents

Other

Don't know

Response percent


Most Difficult Parts of College Application (Open-ended)

91/103 (88% Response rate)

Writing essays (33 responses)• “Some of the essays included very sensitive topics that were

difficult to write about.”• “The personal statement was the most difficult part of my

application because I was afraid that reader can not get my personal qualities”

• “Writing and revising essay statements.”

Time management (13 responses)• “The most difficult part was keeping deadlines in mind and

managing my time so that I gave myself the time to write out rough drafts and make corrections to essays.”

• “Managing deadlines.”


Most Difficult Parts of College Application (Open-ended)

Financial aid (10 responses)• “I didn't know if I was going to get any, or even if I could get

any.”• “The most difficult part in my case was to find enough private

scholarships in order to attend college.”

Completing the applications (10 responses)• “The sheer amount of paperwork.”• “Accumulating all the material needed for the application, like

the teacher recommendations.”

Waiting for responses (8 responses)• “The anxiety of the whole acceptance letters.”

No Major Problems (7 responses)• “It was very easy because I had help through AVID.”


Other Difficult Parts of College Application (Open-ended)

Several other categories of concern• Understanding the application process • Choosing the right school • Testing (SATs, etc.)• Cost of applications • Filling out specific sections • Understanding application requirements • Lack of knowledge about the college system • Lack of parental support • Staying motivated • Rejections


Where Students Found Financial Aid

Scholarships- private and otherwise (36)• “Scholarship from church.”• “I found the financial aid by applying to private scholarships like

MVLA.”

College/university offered grants and scholarships (20)• “It was awarded to me by the school’s financial aid office”• “My college, private scholarships, high school scholarship”• “My financial package included financial aid from the school,

work-study and outside scholarships”

FAFSA (18)Private loans, loans online (6)High school scholarships (5)Work-study programs (3)


How Students Found Financial Aid

High school counselor/career center (12)• “College counselor/teachers searching on the web”

• “I looked through the scholarship listings in the career center every week”

• “My school helped me”

Took initiative, did research to search for aid (9)• “Websites”; “fastweb.com”

• “I applied for scholarships”

• “I asked around. Asked friends and counselors about scholarships.”

Teachers (7)• “Help by teachers”

• “AVID teachers”

Parents (7)• “Through my parents’ help.”


Most Difficult Parts of Transition from High School to College Life (Open-ended)


Missing one’s family and friends (35 responses)• “I did not know anyone at my school so I couldn’t really talk to

anyone about what was going on in my head or how I was feeling at the end of the day.”

Time management (26 responses)• “Deciding what to do with my time - working, volunteering,

clubs, recreation, and homework. It's hard to get enough sleep!”

Size or demographics of a new school (12 responses)• “The most difficult part is finding myself in this huge campus

with a lot of people I am never going to meet. My high school was pretty small and I knew everybody.”


Other Difficult Parts of Transition from High School to College Life (Open-ended)

Several other categories of concern• Challenging academics (7 responses)• Insufficient academic preparation (3 responses)• Finding motivation (4 responses)• Increased responsibilities, fast pace (3 responses)• Adjusting to dorm life, living w/ new people (5 responses)• Maintaining finances (4 responses)


Who Helped Students Cope with the Transition to College (Open-ended)


No one – depended on themselves (29 responses)• “Mostly was self motivation (I) always have high expectation of

myself in anything (I) do.”

Friends and peers (28 responses)• “…from my first year college friends that I made and kept

throughout and thereafter my college career”• “Finding a good network of friends and a good study group.”

Family (15 responses)• “My aunt and uncle, who both have advanced degrees, told

me about how they handled college life and scheduling.”• “My mother helped me by calling me everyday.”


Who Helped Students Cope with the Transition to College (Open-ended)

Additional people listed:• College counselors, advisors (12 responses)• College professors (4 responses)• High school teachers (2 responses)• Alumni, Graduates (2 responses)• Mentor (1 response)• Clergy at school (1 response)

College programs listed (8 responses)• LEAD, BRIDGE, MultiCultural Center, Educational Opportunity

Program, other on-campus organizations


The Major Obstacles to Finishing College

Again, financial aid ranks high, but academic success is even more important, with 28% of responses.

What is the biggest obstacle to your finishing your four-year college degree?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Succeedingacademically

Financial aid Need to work Support from teachersand school

administrators

Support from parents Other Don't know


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Advice from Successful Students to the Next-Generation of Achievers (Open-ended)

95/103 (92% Response rate)Don’t be afraid to ask for resources

• “Ask as many questions as you can”• “Don’t be afraid of asking for the resources that you need”• “Seek out information, support, anything”

Keep persevering • “Believe in yourself and others will believe in you”• “Try your best and never give up”• “Don’t let other say you can’t do something”• “Do NOT let any financial aid office assistants or advisors, life,

relationships or family stop you from obtaining your dream.”

Learn time management skills• “Use high school to learn time management skills”• “Make your own expectations for yourself and meet them”• “Make to-do lists and budget your time”


Advice from Successful Students to the Next-Generation of Achievers (Open-ended)

Find financial aid• “Get financial aid.”

Find good friends who provide a support system• “Surround yourself with people that have similar goals. If you hang

around people who have no intention of going to college, you’re more likely to be influenced by their decisions.”

• “Networking and making friends”• “Talk to other students who have gone to college and studied the same

thing.”

Set up your career goals while in college• “Get an internship in a field of your interest in the first 2 years of

college. Set up your career so that when you graduate, you already have a foot in the door.”

Be mature and be yourself• “Take your time, go at your own pace, and take it seriously.”

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