working-with-first-gen-students

Helping first generation students access college Gina King Associate Director of Admissions, UMBC Former Director of College Counseling, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Baltimore I am first generation Barriers for first generation families “CONTROL THE CONTROLABLES” • College policies and procedures for admission and aid • High school structure for post secondary plans, not college preparatory plans • Double whammies (first gen + high need; first gen + ELL; first gen + marginalized race) College policies and procedures • Admission – Recruitment • “Priority” high schools • Lead generation/Search • Publications focused on fun, not facts – Decisions • Demonstrated interest • Test score policies (SATs, ACT, SAT II, official score sends) • Not doing what they say they really • Scholarships – Merit aid to drive profile, often rooted in test scores – Additional recommenders and early deadlines – Scholarship maintenance unrealistic • Financial Aid – FAFSA – CSS PROFILE – VERIFICATION How can we lessen impact? Recruitment ➢In August, email and call colleges your students have an interest in (RepVisits= MoreVisits) ➢Lunchroom visits: Catch 22 ➢Have students register with key partners, like Raise.Me, CollegeGreenlight, Naviance (say yes), Cappex, ZeeMee, etc ➢Supplement college fun viewbooks with college access guides (CTCL.org’s “Real Questions for College Tours”; I’m First Guide) Breaking down access barriers Admission ➢Bring reps to school for value added workshop (essay writing, resume construction, interviewing day, instant admission day) ➢Push for class visits during campus visit ➢Avoiding being labeled as “Stealth” ➢Encourage Khan Academy with PSAT link ➢Fairtest.org ➢Provide lists & questions for students before college fair Breaking down access barriers Financial aid ➢FAFSA knowledge ➢Host a pre-session before your pre-session before your session! ➢FAFSA completion isn’t enough; separate workshops/opportunities to help with Profile & Verification ➢Push scholarship programs that focus on selecting first-generation students (Dell, Horatio Alger, Ronald Brown, JKC, Gates, Questbridge) Examining your high school Think, Pair, Share: In your opinion, what current practices does your high school have that promote college to first generation students? Best practices that promote college access • Budget for food, childcare, translation and transportation for evening programs • 9-12 supplemental curriculum focused on academic selection, study, organizational & time management skills (It’s better to be prepared and not go, then decide to go and not be prepared) • Faculty/staff involvement (swag day, college fair, door signs, classroom décor) • Peer/Near-peer Mentoring: Change the messenger, not the message Best practices: Grade highlights • Freshmen Shadow Day • Sophomore Campus Visits w/class observation • Junior essay workshop with college reps • Junior portfolio • Senior application workshop • Senior FAFSA, CSS, State Aid nights • Senior portfolio Best practices: Alumni support • Begin with the end in mind – Promote colleges that embrace and empower first gen (I’m First, grad rates at nces.gov, etc.) • Peer to near peer mentoring program • Engaging alumni in current workshops • College care packages/community members words of wisdom • Hosting workshops or maintain social media presence to push pertinent information • Track success Advocate & advise using Sedlacek Eight non-cognitive points proven to increase persistence in traditionally marginalized groups ➢Positive self-concept or confidence ➢Realistic self-appraisal ➢Understands and deals with racism ➢Prefers long-range goals to short-term needs ➢Availability of strong support person ➢Successful leadership experience ➢Demonstrated community service ➢Knowledge acquired in a field http://williamsedlacek.info/publications/articles/employing1.html Think & Reflect: Plan of action What you think you could change or implement to benefit first generation students? Who would you need to partner with? What resources you need? What is a realistic timeframe from idea to implementation? Contact Information Gina King Associate Director of Admissions University of Maryland, Baltimore County gking@umbc.edu 410-455-1224