Spotlight On: Step 3: Find the Right Fit

How can the College Access & Opportunity Guide turn my students’ college dreams into action-oriented goals?

First-generation, low-income and minority college-bound students have big plans and big dreams. They know why to go to college, but not necessarily how. Sadly that dream is not enough. College just doesn’t happen. There are specific steps these students need to take.

In collaboration with KnowHow2GO—a national college access campaign created in partnership with Lumina Foundation for Education, American Council on Education and the Ad Council—the College Access & Opportunity Guide provides a plan for first-generation and other underserved college-bound students to take four steps necessary to go to college.

Step 3:Find the Right Fit includes the following pieces of advice:

step 3 • The kind of college you choose to attend should reflect your goals and your personality. Whether you choose a public, private, community, technical, trade or even online college, make sure it’s the best match for you.

• Big or small? Do you want to attend a big university with more choices of studies and social activities, but also larger lecture classes? Or would you like fewer choices, but more personal attention and a better chance to stand out? You decide. step 3

• Attending a local college versus boarding out-of-state, which is better? It depends. For some, residence hall life is an important part of the college experience, but commuting from home is less expensive.

• Which major works? Figuring out what you like doing most, plus what you’re best at, can point to the careers you should consider and step 3 the majors that will help you reach your career goal.

• Getting into extracurricular activities outside of class — band, science club, the school newspaper, drama, or even volunteering at local organizations — helps you discover what your real interests are and where you’re heading.

How many copies do you need?
Order Here
CSO Guidebook Cover

Many national foundations and associations, schools and school districts, and community-based organizations are supporting distributions of the College Access & Opportunity Guide to get this important resource in the hands of the students that deserve it.
Email guidebook@csopportunity.org to inquire about distribution partnerships and bulk sale discounts.

FALSE This is true if “diversity” simply means having greater numbers of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and international students. Unfortunately, the size and nature of a large university often mean that there is little interaction among those various ethnic and racial groups.

Visit KnowHow2GO.org to take the complete college prep quiz.

Next week’s spotlight:
Put Your Hands on Some Cash!
push yourself cover In collaboration with KnowHow2GO—a national college access campaign created in partnership with Lumina Foundation for Education, American Council on Education and the Ad Council—the College Access & Opportunity Guide provides a plan for first-generation and other underserved college-bound students to take four steps necessary to go to college.

Step 4: Put Your Hands on Some Cash! If you think you can’t afford college, think again. There’s a lot of financial aid out there.

> For general inquiries and to learn more about Center for Student Opportunity, contact info@csopportunity.org.

Center for Student Opportunity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote college access and opportunity among first-generation and other traditionally underserved student populations.