Increasing College Access Opportunities for All Students
Over the last few decades, the U.S. higher education system has put in a significant amount of effort to expand college access opportunities. Despite such efforts, recent studies indicate that there is a visible disparity in enrollment rates in selective institutions among various student groups. This difference in enrollment primarily affects students belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, low-income, and first-generation college students. Among the most affected groups are Black and Latino students. Thus, it is essential to understand the origin and complexity of these accessibility issues.
The disparities in enrollment rates in selective institutions cannot be explained without looking at the broader socio-economic and cultural factors that disproportionately affect minority groups. For instance, low-income students and students from poorer neighborhoods have limited access to educational resources and opportunities, which reduces their chances of gaining admission to selective institutions. Moreover, the attainment of higher education requires financial investment, which is not always feasible for some students and families. It may force students primarily from low-income families to settle for lower-tier institutions or forgo higher education altogether.
Additionally, first-generation college students may encounter difficulties in navigating the complex college application process and accessing admission resources. This, in turn, presents a disadvantage in terms of competing with peers who have family members with previous higher education experience.
Does Gatekeeping In Any Way Limit Higher Education Opportunity For Black And Latino Students?
Accessibility. When institutions focus solely on admitting "elite" students, they potentially leave other talented individuals behind, which can limit the diversity and perspectives within the institution.
Moreover, the selective enrollment process does not necessarily indicate educational excellence. The quality of education that a student receives depends on several factors, including the teaching methodology employed by the institution, the availability of resources, and the support provided to the students. Thus, labeling an institution as "elite" based only on its enrollment process may not accurately reflect its quality or effectiveness.
Instead, institutions should strive to develop educational strategies and provide opportunities that will serve the diverse needs of all students. Institutions that are genuinely committed to comprehensive student development must prioritize inclusiveness and diversity in their admission and educational processes. By doing so, they can create a learning environment that fosters excellence, innovation, and critical thinking that contributes to the growth of the national talent pool.
In conclusion, the label "elite" can be misleading and does not necessarily guarantee quality education. Instead, institutions should focus on creating educational opportunities and strategies that cater to the diverse needs of all students. By prioritizing inclusiveness and diversity, institutions can create a welcoming and supportive learning environment that nurtures talent and contributes significantly to national development.
Gatekeeping does not appear to limit opportunities for students with high academic merit in terms of access.
Factors Beyond College Access
While access is one subject, college choice is another. Influential factors for many students go beyond college access (and their academic achievements).
MONEY IS A FACTOR
For every high-achieving, low-income (HALI) student who applies to an elite college, there are at least ten high-achieving, high-income students who do the same. This suggests that, despite their academic prowess, financial limitations are still an important factor for low-income students when choosing which colleges and universities to apply to and ultimately attend.
Research has shown that the amount of money available and in hand has a profound impact on a student’s college choice. This is because the cost of higher education in the United States has skyrocketed in recent years, and many students have to turn to loans to finance their college education. For low-income students, the thought of taking on debt can be overwhelming and can cause them to rule out certain colleges and universities that they may view as too expensive.
Conversely, high-income students who do not struggle with the cost of college can choose to apply to more selective and expensive universities. For these students, financial aid may be less of a factor in their college choice.
In conclusion, while initiatives aimed at increasing access to higher education for low-income students have made progress in recent years, there is still work to be done to close the enrollment gap between high-income and low-income students at elite colleges and universities.
Although it would seem like a win-win situation for HALI students -- applying to selective institutions that cost less than the non-selective four-year and two-year institutions they applied to -- many still do not take advantage of this opportunity. However, data shows that students who attend selective institutions are more likely to graduate with high rates or honors, making it a better academic choice.
In recent decades, colleges have made strides to become more diverse; however, this shift led to a "white flight" from public colleges to private colleges. This shift had a detrimental effect on public colleges' graduation rates, with little being done to address the issue at hand. Instead, another financial support shift took place.
The challenges of financial support shifts are all too familiar. Whenever there is a change in financial support, institutions need to adjust to better serve their students. However, the changes can sometimes result in unintended consequences, causing even more problems. It is essential to keep this in mind when making any financial decisions that affect students' futures.
The New York Times highlights this in its September 2020 article:
Financial support or the lack thereof may limit opportunities, in terms of choice, for students from lower-income families.
MONEY IS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR
There seem to be more concerned with maintaining their “prestige” than opening their doors to a more diverse student body, perpetuating the cycle of systemic racism in higher education.
The challenges of social and racial issues are not new. In fact, they have been a common occurrence for generations. While social and racial issues are complex and multifaceted, they often intersect with the education system. The Education Trust report highlights how systemic racism limits educational opportunities for Black and Latino students in the US.
While the COVID-19 pandemic and the police killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Rayshard Brooks have put systemic racism in public health and policing under the spotlight, the issue of educational equity has not received the same level of attention. This is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed.
The findings by the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) only add to the urgency of the matter. The fact that nearly six in ten selective public colleges have decreased the number of Black students on their campus in the last twenty years is concerning. This trend only serves to deepen the existing systemic racism in higher education.
It is crucial for educational institutions to prioritize opening their doors to a more diverse student body.
Inclusive practices influence underrepresented students’ college choices. College administrations can create a favorable image of the college as well as offer affordable fees, financial aid packages, scholarships, and equitable policies and practices to attract and support diverse student populations.
Personal Influences.
Historically underrepresented students choose colleges based on their academic strengths, career aspirations, preference for a particular major, campus location, extracurricular activities, and more. Underrepresented students need to see themselves represented in college materials, academic programs, and career services. Colleges that offer personalized support in academic and non-academic areas, as well as experiential learning opportunities, have a competitive advantage.
In conclusion, college access is only part of the equation when addressing the enrollment gap among underrepresented students. College choice factors play a crucial role in determining whether a student will enroll in a particular college or not. Therefore, colleges and universities must cater to the unique needs of underrepresented students by addressing the key influences and meeting their expectations for a successful college experience.
WHAT CAN CAMPUS LEADERS DO TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND EQUITY?
As chief consulting officer at Beyond College Access, I believe that there are three key strategies that must be implemented to ensure that college access and success outcomes are improved for all students, particularly Black and Latino students.
Firstly, it is important to make a conscious effort to increase college access for all students. The Education Trust recommends 10 Actions for Campus Leaders and Policymakers to improve Black and Latino students' access. By following these recommendations and investing in programs that specifically target underrepresented students, we can provide more opportunities for higher education to those who have historically been excluded.
Secondly, in order to ensure that currently enrolled students succeed in college, it is crucial to invest in high-impact strategies and equity-driven solutions. Instead of focusing on persuading private colleges to admit more low-income students, we should allocate resources towards improving public colleges' performance, where millions of low-income students are already enrolled. By investing in these colleges, we can provide students with the support they need to complete their degrees and find success post-graduation.
Finally, it is essential to stay ahead of the game in the field of college access and success. By networking with other professionals and accessing the latest research and best practices, we can better serve our students. As a Beyond College Access® subscriber, you'll gain exclusive access to our free seminar series packed with informative sessions on the topics that matter most to you and much more. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our subscribers-only access today and propel your journey toward success!