College Week: Preparing First-Generation Students for the Transition to Postsecondary Education

• In Event: Examining College-Going Culture

Abstract

Black, Latina/o, and low-income students’ college enrollment and completion rates continue to trail their white and higher income peers. While research has noted the importance of high schools’ college-going efforts in improving the rates of students applying to college and enrolling, there’s been little focus on the way schools prepare students for the transition to college and how students perceive their college readiness. The paper reports on the experience of first-generation, students of color who participated in a college week program at a 4-year university during the end of their senior year. Findings focus on the personal development and learning behaviors students felt they needed to develop before starting college. Implications for future research and practice are provided.

Author

• Marco A Murillo, Santa Clara University