Important Questions for HS Counselors and College Advisors to reflect on

1. How do you define college? Does college include all forms of post-secondary education, or is "college" limited to 4-year bachelor's degrees?

When you say college, what do you mean? Does that include only traditional, 4-year bachelor degrees, or do you also include community colleges, 2-year associate degrees, and vocational certificates, and training programs? What do students understand when you talk about college? Are community college and transfer pathways talked about and promoted at your high school?

2. How important is college? How important is 4-year college?

There seem to be two schools of thought: college is essential, and college is overpriced and may not be worth it any more. Perhaps both can be true-- some form of post-secondary education or training (some type of skill development) is essential for access to "good" jobs. However, as more and more students gain access to higher education, the value of college declines, and it may no longer be sufficient to ensure a "good" job. In sum, our opinion is that some form of college is necessary, but may not be sufficient for long-term career success. While some college degree may not guarantee a stable, middle-class career, it is becoming more and more necessary in order to have a shot at such a career. That is why Easy Access strongly believes that counselors should take special care to motivate and assist their lower-income and first generation students toward the higher education pathways that fit them. It doesn't have to be a 4-year degree, but some form of education & training is highly recommended for most. And, the 2-4 years immediately following high school are the best times for most students to undergo this training.

3. What are your opinions on enlisting in the military or joining the workforce after high school?

Some counselors love military recruiters coming to their school, and work with them closely. Others recognize that military recruiters often focus on disadvantaged students and are paid to recruit, not to do whats in the best interest of each student. How do you feel about military recruiters at your school?

4. How do you understand the jobs landscape for different fields?

What jobs should schools prepare students to do, and which jobs should counselors recommend. How much job coaching should high school counselors do, and how prepared are you to talk to students about their future careers? What are your career biases based on your social circles and your knowledge of the job market in different fields?

5. How much should students be pushed in the college application & post-secondary planning process?

The old saying that is still often repeated in schools goes something like: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink." A better perspective explained by a NC principal is to think about how you can help make your students thirsty. How can counselors motivate students to take initiative and ownership over their future? Still, with so many students and situations to attend to, it often becomes difficult to get motivated about putting in the time it requires to support seemingly unmotivated students. How do you balance the effort that you put into each student? How do you react when a student is not engaged in thinking about their post-high school transition?

Special cases and how you feel about them

1. Undermatching

Undermatching refers to students attending colleges that they are academically overqualified for. In other words, is it a problem when a student who could be accepted to some of the most selective universities in your state or in the country elects to attend a less selective institution? Does where students attend college matter for their long-term opportunities and success, or is getting that degree the most important thing?

2. The importance of college fit (how well the student likes the schools and feels like they fit in) vs. match (academics, major, financials)

How should students decide what colleges to apply to and which colleges to attend? Should students focus on attending the most selective and prestigious colleges where they are accepted, or should they focus on the ones that fit right? Should students ever pay more or take out more loans to go to a specific college? What roles should affordability, major, selectivity, location, and fit play in the college decision?

3. Pros/Cons of community college (transfer or 2yr vocational degree)?

For students who are academically qualified to attend four-year colleges, should they ever choose to attend a community college? What are the pros and cons of community college attendance?

4. The role of religion, sports, family, etc… in the college process?

Athletics, family, and religion are some of the X factors in the post-high school transition. Parents that highly value college can push students to apply, while others take a more laid back approach, allowing the student to direct their own plans. What is your bias on the proper role of parents in the post-high school transition process?

Similarly, religion and sports are two factors that can push students to apply or attend certain colleges. Sometimes, students are given opportunities to attend universities that they otherwise may not have been able to attend for financial or academic reasons. However, other times, sports or religion pulls students to colleges for which they are academically overqualified for, or that do not make the most financial sense (see undermatching above).

5. Working with DACA/undocumented students

What is your practice for working with undocumented students or students with DACA? What is your school's policy? What is your level of information regarding college affordability and access for such students?

What are the barriers/problems keeping counselors from helping all of their students navigate the post-high school transition?

Is it lack of information, lack of time, lack of student initiative and engagement? Is the greatest difficulty dealing with colleagues or administration, or with parents? What tools or information would helpful? How can colleges and outside college access organizations help?