This document discusses the challenges that at-risk and special needs students face when transitioning to college. It notes that 30-35% of college students drop out after their first year and that only around half of students complete a 4-year degree within 6 years. The document provides some solutions like exposing students to college-level academics and independence earlier to better prepare them. It also discusses the importance of preparing parents and having realistic expectations. An example program called The Bridge Program is mentioned that helps at-risk students transition to college through residential and commuter phases.

1. College Transition for
Students at Risk
Challenges and Opportunities for
At-Risk & Special Needs
College Bound High School Seniors

2. Introductions
O Jeff Brain, MA, CTS, CEP
Dean of Admissions
The Bridge Program at The Family Foundation
School
O Mike Kowalchick, MA
Assistant Head of School for Internal Affairs
The Forman School
O Jeff Dvorak, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant & College Counselor
Educo Consulting

3. Challenges
O Readiness for College
O Managing independence, responsibilities
(academically, emotionally, behaviorally)
O Drop-out/failure rates

4. Data
O 30% - 35% of college and university students
drop out after their first year.
O private and four-year public schools that used
to expend more energy recruiting students
than retaining them are struggling to prevent
students from dropping out or "dropping
down“
O The United States does a good job enrolling
teenagers in college, but only half of students
who enroll end up with a bachelor’s degree
O 56 percent of college students complete four-
year degrees within six years. Only 29 percent
of those who start two-year degrees finish
them within three years

5. Solutions – Preparing Students
O Exposure to college level work and
academic expectations
O Exposure to freedoms/independence
O Opportunities for decision making
O Experience with managing
failure, loneliness, and finding supportive
peer group

6. Solutions – Preparing Parents
O Balancing support with room to
experience realities
O Manage expectations
O Learning to trust

7. Program Example:
Bridge at FFS
O Preparation as part O Phases
of process O Residential
O Commuter
O Independent

8. Preparing
O Be honest. Student performance, class
content, course
offerings, grades, activities.
O Start the college/career process early. Do
college tours, career days, parent
workshops.
O Create a process for evaluating college
readiness
O Provide extra support and get outside help
when necessary

9. Applying
• GPA and course rigor. The number one
indicator of potential college success is good
grades
• Standardized test: ACT vs. SAT. I like ACT
• Activities. All students need to show interests
other then school. These should be sustained
and focused
• Leadership. Start a club, captain the soccer
team, be a manager at work, compete in a
science fair
• Good essays that tell something unique about
you. Be honest about your LD or past
struggles

10. Wrap Up
O Share experiences
O Be realistic about the challenges
O Be pro-active in talking about and
addressing those challenges
O Consider what your school is doing to
prepare students for success

11. References
O 1
www.usnews.com/education/articles/2009/08/19
/dropouts-loom-large-for-schools
O 2
http://www.brighthub.com/education/college/artic
les/82378.aspx
O 3
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/business/ec
onomy/09leonhardt.html?_r=0
O 4
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/27/us-
attn-andrea-education-dropouts-
idUSBRE82Q0Y120120327