Daniela Berlinski Source 4

How do the factors that affect academic success within college specifically impact first generation low income college students?

Engle, Jennifer. "Postsecondary access and success for first-generation college students." American Academic 3.1 (2007): 25-48.

            The author begins the paper by stating that students whose parents didn’t attend college are at a disadvantage due to the many resources that they are missing out on and the many challenges they face while applying and staying in college. She begins by listing the characteristics of first generation students, listing that the status of being a first-generation college student in itself is a risk factor. She then notes that first generation college students also at this disadvantage due to the fact that less first generation students apply to graduate school. Which in turn means an increase in the income gap due to the first generations student’s lack of graduate school attendance. The author then comments on factors that affect access to college which include academic preparation, aspirations, planning, and the college decision. She notes that a high school curriculum with a lot of math is beneficial to the improvement and readiness of the student.  In regards to academic preparation for college, Engle notes that first generation students are at a disadvantage due to the fact that their parents lack this experience to help ease their transition or even support it. The article notes studies that found that first generation students have lower desires to get a degree. This also has to do with the lack of support from teachers, counselors, and parents due to the fact that there is an increase in lower levels of academic success. In another study it was found that parent support is the most significant factor that influences whether or not the student is interested and enrolls in college. He mentions that it is more difficult for first generation students to plan for college because it is just as new of an experience to them as it is for their parents. In regards to choosing a college, many first generation students choose a university that is affordable, can be finished in a short amount of time, and has the flexibility where one could work and study. They also noted that students who attend these less selective universities typically have lower graduation rates, even though they control for those certain kind of characteristics. Finally she notes the problems that are associated with success while in college: academic and social integration and cultural adaptation.

            Something that I hadn’t really thought about while analyzing this situation was the impact of cultural adaptation on a first year college student. She notes that many first generation students describe their home life as compared to their college life as “worlds apart.” For many first generation college students, the act of going to college sets them apart from their family. Since they are in a sense “breaking family traditions” it creates a rift between the student and the family. Here we see the impact of family support, because if not the student sees the rift that attending college will cause within the family. I disagree with the text when it states that many students don’t make use of the programs offered through the Student Success Centers. Here at Mizzou if you receive a scholarship through the Academic Retention Services you are required to attend meetings and get points to be able to keep the scholarship. This requirement offers the opportunity of help for those who seek it.

            In Paul Thayer’s article he speaks about the need to make institutional changes that take into account the experiences of first generation low-income students. He speaks of the importance of implementing these new retention strategies to improve the experience of first generation low-income students. In comparison, Eagle comments less on the improvement of these retention strategies but rather on the factors that play into the experience that these first generation low-income students have.

            This article has led me to ask the “what now” question. Since these students have this certain kind of experience, what is the pathway to motivate these students to live successful lives, even if their own family members do not support them? I think it would be interesting to find an article that takes these supposed “negative factors” to make a positive impact on the student.