From Applicants to Bridge-Builders: Reframing Student Roles in College Access

• In Event: Reframing College Access: Student Agency, Readiness, and the Politics of Preparation

Abstract

This session presents evidence from over 20,000 survey responses from California seniors and in-depth interviews with 76 students to amplify their experiences and deepen understanding of the processes and challenges they face in applying to college. I highlight how supports and barriers to college admissions differ by student race/ethnicity and first-generation status. In addition to descriptive findings and firsthand student narratives, my paper includes student-driven recommendations and resourceful strategies to overcome structural barriers and create alternative support systems when applying to college.

Author

• Stephanie Luna-Lopez, University of California - Davis