What is the best predictor of student success? According to a new study, it’s high school grade point averages.
The study, published recently in Educational Researcher, found that a student’s high school grade point average is five times stronger than their ACT scores at predicting college graduation.
Continue reading Study: High School Grades Best Predictors of College Completion
New research backs up what many college counselors and admission officers have witnessed firsthand: Overbearing parents can spur student distress.
According to a study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, “helicopter parenting behaviors may hinder the development of self-control skills among emerging adult college students,” leading to burnout. The finding was based on a survey of 427 college students.
As opioid abuse rises to epidemic levels, a growing number of US colleges have started to provide sober living and treatment programs.
According to a recent Inside Higher Ed article, over 130 colleges and universities in the US now offer drug and alcohol recovery services for students. As recently as 2012, only 35 colleges offered such programs.
Continue reading Over 130 Colleges Now Offer Addiction Recovery Programs
Could changing the federal financial aid structure help more student-parents earn a degree?
A recent op-ed published by the Center for American Progress argues that awarding larger Pell Grants could help more parents persist to graduation.
“These funds would not be enough to cover anywhere close to the full cost of child care—nor would they address underlying structural issues related to the lack of available spots in high-quality child care options—but they would at least recognize that parents face larger costs than nonparents, including for things that go beyond child care, such as food or clothing,” Ben Miller, vice president for postsecondary education at American Progress, notes in his column.
Continue reading Rethinking Financial Aid for Student-Parents
A new podcast series from NPR is designed to help students make the most out of higher ed.
How to Succeed at College offers advice on how to pick classes, what to talk about at office hours, and the best strategies for studying. One episode even includes information about how to land a job after graduation.
“No matter where you are coming from, college can be a huge transition, and figuring out how to make it work for you is super-important,” host Elissa Nadworny says in an introduction to the series. “…”We’re going to cover a lot of ground: from making friends to nailing job interviews and how to roll with it when things don’t go as planned.”
Continue reading NPR Podcast Promises to Help Students Navigate College
Eight out of 10 college presidents report that student mental health has become more of a priority on their campuses over the past three years, according to a new survey from the American Council on Education (ACE).
The finding comes at a time when the number of students visiting campus counseling services continues to rise. As one president wrote: “Mental health has become a major issue for retention and the general well-being of our students . . . This is in my top three areas of improvement for my college.”
A majority of Americans see the value in a four-year college degree, according to a new survey.
The survey was conducted by the APM Research Lab to see what Americans believe about the value of a college degree as it relates to its cost.
Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed agreed that a four-year college degree is worth it, despite the high cost of college.
Continue reading Survey: Majority of Americans Believe College Is Worth It
Everyone wants to hear what Tony Jack has to say.
In the past three months, the Harvard sociologist has been featured on NPR, CNN, PBS, and other media outlets talking about disadvantaged students, college access, and the admission process.
And this September, he’ll be chatting with NACAC members.
Jack, author of The Privileged Poor, has agreed to join us for a #NACACreads discussion focused on his book. The conversation—which will also provide opportunities for admission professionals to share their insights about the experiences of disadvantaged students—will kick off on Twitter at 9 p.m. ET on Sept. 17.
Continue reading #NACACreads: Author Tony Jack to Discuss ‘The Privileged Poor’
What role does mindset play in student success?
A new report from the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) finds that a productive and positive mindset can change a student’s intelligence, confidence, and increase levels of engagement.
Continue reading Report: Mindset Plays Role in Community College Student Success
There are many issues and challenges facing international and first-generation college students in the college admission process and as they work to earn their degrees.
But one student is taking those challenges and using them as the basis for her new education tech start-up.
Continue reading International, First-Generation Student Experience Inspires Online Platform
