English Comp 1 Task 4 - Grade: A PDF

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Running head: HOW TO IMPROVE COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES

How to Improve College Graduation Rates Western Governors University

How to Improve College Graduation Rates

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HOW TO IMPROVE COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES

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We’ve all heard the speech countless times. When we were young, our parents would always tell us to go to college, find a good job, and live a good life. To reach that pleasant happy ever after, however, a college degree is almost always necessary. Unfortunately, that isn’t working out for many college students in the United States right now. In fact, on average, only 58% of students who began college in the fall of 2012 had earned a degree by 2018 (Nadworny, 2018). While the graduation is slowly rising nonetheless, many experts say that it is still too low. This is a serious problem, as the students of today are the future labor force of our country. Fortunately, there are plenty of easily accessible solutions that we can implement, such as helping students with financial aid and keeping students on track to graduate. A major roadblock is the cost that comes with a higher education. Many students around the world who are graduates go straight to the work force (often an entry level job) or don’t attend college because of the cost associated with it. According to EduCause.edu,” Taking an extra 2 years to earn one's undergraduate degree can cost students almost an additional $300,000 in tuition and interest on loans, plus the associated opportunity costs of a forgone income and a loss in retirement savings” (Schmarzo, 2017). On the other hand, not all students who are already attending college have a full grasp of their own financial state. Many, including my past self, are lost when it came to renewing scholarships or making smart financial choices. Counselors and student advisors should properly educate students on how to manage their financial situation, both inside and outside of school. Ensure the student is up to date on scholarship payments and that the student renews any aid if applicable. One great way to increase graduation rate is for college professors or counselors to help undecided students find a fitting major. According to ASCD.org, “students who work with school counselors have higher college application rates. Additionally, high school graduation rates rise

HOW TO IMPROVE COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES

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more than 29 percent” (ASCD.org, 2017). Contrary to popular belief, a vast number of students don’t have the slightest clue as to what they want to pursue by the time they enter college. Many choose a major solely based on what they think would be easier, or in some cases, families might pressure the student into a certain major. This could be due to anything from racial standards/expectations to wanting the student to pursue the same subject as a family member. When I personally first graduated high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to pursue. My true passion was in music performance and playing the cello, but it would be unlike to yield a stable career. By the time I began college, I had chosen Chemistry simply because it led to a stable and well-paying career. However, I was not content because I had no interest in the subject or the field of study. I didn’t find a major that I was satisfied until almost two years later. An efficient way to increase student interest, and therefore graduation rate, would be to sit down with the student and discuss his/her interests. Afterwards, a list of compatible majors can be presented to the student for consideration. For the already decided students, make sure they are following a clear study/graduation plan. Students can become complacent and unmotivated if there is no plan to adhere to. With a plan, both the counselor and the student know exactly what needs to be done, and when they can graduate with a degree. In conclusion, the graduation rates in the US are far below what the standard is. The status and education of youth is directly correlated to our country’s future. If this problem is not fixed soon, it will have a snowball effect, in which the future generation will have less skills and knowledge to pass down to the following generation. Two very effective ways to improve graduation are to advise students on financial wisdom/experience and to set a plan for the student and keep them on track. This way, we can ensure that more students graduate from college and live fulfilling lives, while also serving a greater purpose in our country’s society.

HOW TO IMPROVE COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES References ASCD.org. (2017, October 23). How School Counselors Can Help Students Succeed. Retrieved from http://inservice.ascd.org/how-school-counselors-can-help-students-succeed/ Nadworny, E. (2019, March 13). College Completion Rates Are Up, But The Numbers Will Still Surprise You. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2019/03/13/681621047/college-completionrates-are-up-but-the-numbers-will-still-surprise-you Schmarzo, B. (2017, September 5). Using Big Data to Improve Retention and Graduation Rates. Retrieved from https://er.educause.edu/blogs/sponsored/2017/9/using-big-data-to-improveretention-and-graduation-rates

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