Is College for Everyone?

Understanding College Access &

Figuring out if College is for You!
January 24, 2015

Dr. Yarbrah Peeples

Program Director
Georgia College Advising Corps

O PhD in Higher Education, University of Georgia

O 10 years of progressive experience working in

college access and completion with first

generation, low-income and underrepresented
minorities
O Additional experience in undergraduate admissions
and management and strategy consulting

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

YES

COLLEGE within this

conversation means:

Post-Secondary
Certification or
Degree

Post-Secondary Education
Options
O Technical Certifications
O Associate Degrees (offered at 2 yr

colleges)
O Bachelor Degrees (offered at 4 yr
colleges)

O What about the Military?

O Still necessary to earn a degree or

credential

The Case for College

An Educated Workforce is a Local and National
Need
O US ranks 11th in global postsecondary

attainment
O 2/3rds of jobs created this decade will require
some form of postsecondary education
O 1/3rd of employers have trouble filling
positions due to lack of technical
competencies & hard skills

Fast Fact #1
In 2012, what percentage of Georgias
young adults between age 24-35
completed a postsecondary certificate,
associates degree, or bachelors
degree?
a. 24%
b. 42%
c. 65%

b. 42%

Soif only 42% of Georgia

adults earn a postsecondary
credential or degree, is
college really for everyone?

YES

The Case for College

A Postsecondary Education Benefits You
O College educated adults:
O Lead healthier lifestyles
O More civically involved
O Move up the socio-economic ladder more

quickly
O Have lower rates of unemployment
O Earn $1 million more than high school grads

Fast Fact #2
In 2013, how much higher was the
unemployment rate for high school
graduates than for college graduates?

a. 10.2%
b. 7.1%
c. 3.5%
2013 avgs from US Dept of
Labor

c. 3.5%

Fast Fact #3
In 2013, how much more per week
does a person with an associates
degree earn versus a person with a
high school diploma?
a. $54
b. $126
c. $100
2013 avgs from US Dept of
Labor

b. $126
$6552/year

Unemployment &
Earnings

Why Arent Student Pursuing

College?
O Lack of social & family support
O High schools without a strong college-going

culture
O Lack of academic preparation
O No or low college exposure
O Low SAT & ACT scores
O Confusion college application process
O Lack of affordability/concerns about debt
O Unclear future and concerns about job placement

Why Arent Student Pursuing

College?
O Lack of social & family support
O High schools without a strong college-going

culture
O Lack of academic preparation
O No or low college exposure
O Low SAT & ACT scores
O Confusion college application process
O Lack of affordability/concerns about debt
O Unclear future and concerns about job placement

Deeper Dig: Challenges

(Group Activity)
O Lack of social & family support
O Lack of academic preparation
O Low SAT & ACT scores
O Lack of affordability/concerns about

debt
O Unclear future and concerns about job
placement

Social and Family

Support
How can my family and friends support me?
O Dream Big!!!
O Get the facts!
O Push them academically! Challenge them!
O Openly discuss fears
O Create a college-going plan with several paths
O Get involved: Visit the college adviser or

counselor

Academic Preparation
What can I do to make sure Im
prepared to enter and succeed in
college?
O Take challenging courses
O Work hardfrom the beginning!
O Ask for help as soon as you need it
O Dont give up: There are still options

if your grades arent great

SAT/ACT Scores
What do I do if Im not a great test taker?

O Take advantage of test prep opportunities

O Buy or check out test prep books
O STUDY
O Begin testing in 11th grade
O Explore test optional schools
O Explore schools with sliding admission scales
O Explore open access schools

Affordability & Debt

What do I do if I cant afford college or I dont
want to take out loans?
O Seniors: Complete your FAFSA ASAP! (before 3/1)
O Apply for scholarships-Even the ones with essays
O Work towards HOPE or ZELL scholarships
O Choose in-state, public colleges UNLESS you

earn scholarships or grants

O Consider work study or on-campus jobs
O Choose FEDERAL LOANSif you need a loan

Dr. Peeples Unpopular

Opinions
O Please consider majors and career paths

prior to making final college decisions

O Your college list should always include

affordable collegesALWAYS
O Almost any school can be your dream

school

Unclear Future & Job

Placement
What if I have no idea what I want to do? What if I
cant get a job when I finish college?
O Talk to your college adviser about match & fit
O Start with an undeclared major-many students

do
O Change your major-its ok!
O Pursue internships while in college-even unpaid
O Visit your college career center freshman year
O Get a mentor-start with a faculty member

Common Questions
O Are technical and community

colleges enough?
O Does the type of college matter?

HBCU, liberal arts, single-sex, large

flagship, etc
O Should I consider for-profit colleges?

Dr. Peeples Pearls of

Wisdom
O Start thinking about your future

TODAY!!!
O Develop a postsecondary plan
O Consider Talents, Strengths &
Abilities
O Consider the Cost
O Complete FAFSA before March 1st
(Seniors)
O Think Outside of the Box
O Start talking to your
counselor/college adviser

Questions?

Contact Me!
Have Questions? Reach out!
O Dr. Yarbrah Peeples
O Email:
O General question: ypeeples@uga.edu
O Private consultation:

ytpeeples@gmail.com

References
O Education Pays 2013. College Board
O Gains and Gaps: Changing Inequality in US

College Entry and Completion. National

Bureau of Economic Research
O Getting to and through College: College
Access and Completion for Atlanta Students:
Barriers, Supports and Opportunities. The
Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta &
Greenway Strategy Management
O luminafoundation.org
O whitehouse.gov