‘Invisibility’ Impedes College Access for Native Americans

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Native American students are often left out of the college access equation, a new report found.

“Invisibility is in essence the modern form of racism used against Native Americans,” the report said. “It is this invisibility that leads to a college access and completion crisis among Native American students. When a student is invisible, his or her academic and social needs are not met. This leads to students feeling alienated and alone, derailing their matriculation and the realization of their dreams and potential.”

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7 Considerations to Make When Transferring Schools

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Numerous students transfer to another college and complete their degree program each year. Wanting to be closer to home, changing your major, not seeing the current school as good fit, and financial issues often factor into a transfer decision.

Before making a final decision, students should consider the following:

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Op-Ed: A Better College Admission Process Should Start in Our High Schools

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As we look for ways to improve the college admission process in the wake of the recent scandals, an important place to start is in our high schools. In my professional career of 26 years, I have served as a high school guidance counselor, a college admission representative, and an independent educational consultant. Having seen the process from all angles, I believe we must do a better job equipping students and their families with the knowledge and perspective to embark on a successful college admission journey.

The school counselor can and should play such a pivotal role in any student’s college search and application activities. But due to oversized caseloads and often inadequate professional training, even the best school counselors are unable to provide the support most kids need in identifying and applying to the colleges that are best suited to their interests and needs.

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#NACACreads: College Access Isn’t Enough, Completion Must Be the Goal

Michelle Obama’s Becoming proved to be the perfect launching off point for a robust discussion of college access and completion, ways to support first-generation and marginalized students, and a counselor’s role in these goals.

In a #NACACreads Twitter chat Tuesday night, Eric Waldo, the executive director of Reach Higher, shared his insights on these subjects and more. Reach Higher was founded by Mrs. Obama and Waldo has traveled with the former first lady during her recent Becoming book tour.

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New Report Examines the Tribal College Experience

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The tribal college student experience is unique, and its value can often be overlooked.

new report from the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCSSE) explores Native student experiences at tribal colleges and the challenges these students can face in earning a college degree.

“Tribal colleges are often overlooked in the field of higher education, but they shouldn’t be. They are creating important opportunities for their students,” Evelyn Waiwaiole, executive director of CCSSE, said in a news release.

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The Student-Athlete Aftermath

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More than 8 million high school students play a school sport. But of that group, less than one percent will go on to play sports at the collegiate level. And even fewer of those will ultimately go pro.

What do you do when your identity as a student athlete has been stripped away?

Dr. Hillary Cauthen of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology recently spoke to Teen Vogue about this struggle, which impacts many incoming college freshmen.

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Watch: College Signing Day 2019 Q&A

May 1 is the deadline for students to accept an offer of admission at many institutions, celebrated as Decision Day or College Signing Day.

Reach Higher, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary, is encouraging schools and communities to host College Signing Day events to help build a college-going culture and to recognize students’ hard work.

NACAC host Crystal Newby talked with Reach Higher’s Eric Waldo about the Signing Day tradition and what it adds to the college admission process.

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Regular updates on NACAC and the world of college admission counseling. For more information about NACAC, visit nacacnet.org.