An article from 2013, titled “Better Colleges Failing to Lure Talented Poor,” has been resurfacing in my social media feed. It provides a thorough examination of why prestigious institutions like Harvard and Amherst are not appealing to low-income students who possess exceptional test scores and grades—essentially, candidates who meet or surpass the admission qualifications. The main issue is that these students often don’t apply, despite the grants and scholarships available to ease the financial burden of attending expensive private schools.
This topic resonates deeply with me as I was once a low-income, first-generation college student. Throughout my career, I have primarily worked with individuals from similar backgrounds. However, I write this not from a professional perspective, but as a father. My children are currently growing up in a lower-middle-class household, and I frequently contemplate whether my own choice to attend state universities and work in education will impact their future opportunities.
Understanding Institutional Differences
Two key issues highlighted in this article mirror my personal experiences.
The first is the lack of understanding regarding the differences between institutions. I began college at 21, and despite barely graduating high school, I was unaware of basic skills like typing and had never read a novel. My then-girlfriend (now my wife) typed my papers my first semester, as I would write them out by hand. This was a significant aspect of our early relationship, until she eventually insisted I learn to type myself.
I certainly wasn’t at the top of my high school class. I enrolled in a local state-funded college, but to me, college was college. I was thrilled to be attending, and my family shared in that excitement. My achievements felt comparable to those of any other college student, regardless of the institution they chose.
Later, I worked for a TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program at a large state university for three years. This federal initiative supports low-income and first-generation college students. A significant challenge we faced was students transferring from our university to community colleges closer to home, often influenced by parents who did not recognize the differences between a respected university and a two-year institution. These were high-achieving students with impressive test scores and scholarships. Yet, they left, primarily because neither they nor their families understood the potential opportunities at a four-year university.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that community colleges are invaluable. However, if a child has the ability to aim higher, I believe we, as parents, have a responsibility to encourage them. This can be a daunting task when the university landscape feels foreign and the idea of a child moving away, possibly to another state, is intimidating. I often wonder if elite colleges would face similar issues in retaining low-income students.
The Fear of Fitting In
The second issue mentioned in the article, though not fully explored, is the concern of fitting in. I graduated with a solid GPA and competitive graduate exam scores, qualifying me for several elite schools. However, fear of not fitting in ultimately led me to apply to a state university in Minnesota for my graduate studies. I can’t say for certain if I would have been accepted elsewhere, but my anxiety prevented me from even applying.
This observation is something I’ve witnessed in my career, where I’ve seen low-income and first-generation students with remarkable credentials drop out of college because they felt out of place, or avoid applying to prestigious programs altogether due to fears of not belonging.
As a father of three, I am constantly reflecting on my experiences and those of the students I’ve supported. My oldest child is currently 10 and doing much better academically than I was at his age. Yet, I can’t help but feel anxious about his future college applications. I want him to choose an environment where he feels comfortable, which naturally leads me to consider the safety of a state school, perhaps the one where I work. The thought of him applying to a prestigious institution like Harvard or Yale feels overwhelming, similar to my own fears when I considered those options.
This anxiety is common among parents, but it’s particularly pronounced for first-generation college students lacking firsthand experience. The pressure—whether self-imposed or familial—can be immense. We must ask ourselves whether we can encourage our children to take that leap into the unknown. Only time will tell.
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In summary, elite colleges struggle to attract highly qualified, low-income students due to misconceptions about the value of different types of institutions and the fear of not fitting in. As parents, we face the challenge of encouraging our children to pursue their potential while navigating our own anxieties.