Doing College Right

How do you know which college is right for you? And what should you do during college to make the most of your time there? In Doing College Right, dean of undergraduate studies Joe O’Shea helps readers to both choose a college and make key decisions throughout their higher education journey. O’Shea harnesses the latest research on how students develop and showcases award-winning programs from across the United States that are making a difference in the lives of students. Doing College Right is filled with helpful case examples, practical rubrics, and guiding questions to help readers evaluate colleges based on key dimensions of student success, both before and during college. This guide is important reading for prospective students and their families, as well as college admissions staff and high school counselors.

Book Features:

• Offers a comprehensive, evidence-based framework to help students and families make decisions about college.
• Translates the innovations and lessons of the recent student success movement.
• Examines how colleges can support students, including those from underrepresented and underserved populations.
• Illustrates the critical roles of higher education institutions in enabling the success of students.

Joe O’Shea is dean of undergraduate studies and assistant provost at Florida State University. He also serves as a higher education expert for the U.S. Department of Education and other national efforts.

“Exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, Doing College Right: A Guide to Student Success is the ideal instructional guide and reference for college bound students.”

—Midwest Book Review

“In our national obsession with getting into a particular college, Joe O’Shea’s book presents a new and welcome approach to the process, one based on a more important set of criteria. Instead of using rankings as a measure of educational quality, it focuses on curricular, environmental, and student support and engagement considerations, showing students how they can best take advantage of the opportunities at their chosen institutions. A terrific new resource that I highly recommend!”
—Robert S. Clagett, former dean of admissions at Middlebury College, former senior admissions officer at Harvard College, coordinator of the Gap Year Research Consortium at Colorado College

“Every generation of prospective college students faces the same overarching, potentially life-altering question: Which institution is best for me? This book is a reader-friendly treasure trove of research-based insights about what matters in a high-quality undergraduate experience and the information needed to determine a promising fit.”
—George D. Kuh, chancellor’s professor emeritus of higher education, Indiana University

“This book provides critical insights and guidance to enable students to successfully navigate the college experience. By defining confusing terminology, carefully explaining how institutions function, and peppering the text with anecdotal examples, Joe O’Shea has created a valuable resource for students and families. Doing College Right is a must-read for all individuals seeking to thrive in the college environment.”
—Stefanie D. Niles, vice president for enrollment and communications, Ohio Wesleyan University; immediate past president, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction: Getting In Is Not Enough 1
The Changing College Landscape 3
How to Use This Book 6
The Book’s Structure 7

PART I: PRIORITIZING STUDENT SUCCESS 9

1.  Changing Expectations: The Student Success Movement 11
What Is Student Success? 12
What Should Define Student Success? 15
Making Sure a College Prioritizes Student Success 16

2.  Seeing Beyond the Rankings 21
What Are the Different Kinds of Colleges? 21
Understanding Rankings 25
Connecting Rankings to Graduation Rates 26
Examining Graduation Rates and More 27
Acceptance Rates, Selectivity, and Outcomes 29
Criticism of Rankings 30
Finding Data in the College Search 32

PART II: EXCELLING ACADEMICALLY 37

3.  The Curriculum: What Happens in the Classroom Matters 39
Developing a Learning Perspective 40
What Is a Good Course? 41
Components of a Course: Tests, Group Projects, and More 47
How Many Classes Should You Take? 49
Are There Enough Courses? 51
Is Class Size Important? 52
Guided Pathways: Structure and Guidance Matters 54
General Education Courses 56
Capstone Courses and Senior Projects 56
What About Online Courses? 57
Academic Offerings and Major Selection 59
Double Majors and Combined Bachelor’s + Master’s Programs 62
What About Undecided Majors? 64
Limited Access and Restricted Majors 64
Changing Majors 65
Earning College Credit in High School 66
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 67

4.  Staying on Track: Academic and Student Support 69
Advising and Mentoring 72
Forms of Advising and Mentoring 74
Support for Underrepresented and Underserved Students 77
Support During Emergency, Non-Academic Life Events 79
Parental and Family Support and Engagement 80
Student Engagement with Faculty 83
Academic Support: Libraries, Tutoring, and Study Skills 85
Support During the First Year: Orientation, Onboarding, and Transitions 86
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 88

PART III: DEVELOPING FULLY 91

5.  Beyond the Classroom: Applied and Experiential Learning 93
Work-Based Learning: Internships and Co-ops 96
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity 98
Service Learning 101
Study Abroad 102
Assessing a College’s Applied and Experiential Learning 105
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 106

6.  Does It Matter Who Your Friends Are? Engagement and Leadership Development 108
Culture and Fit 111
Sense of Belonging and Imposter Syndrome 112
Learning Communities: Making College Feel Smaller 114
Honors Programs 115
Residential Life 116
Roommates 118
Student Clubs 119
Volunteering and Community Engagement 120
Fraternities and Sororities 122
Student Government 123
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 124

7.  Mental Health, Safety, and Wellness 126
College Students’ Mental Health 127
Preventative Practices in Mental Health 129
Case Management 130
Family, Guardians, and Student Well-Being 131
Safety and Policing 132
Food and Dining 134
Campus Healthcare 136
Recreation and Personal Fitness 136
Spiritual Wellness 137
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 138

PART IV: FUNDING AND LAUNCHING FROM COLLEGE 141

8.  Money Matters: Costs and Financial Aid 143
Understanding the Costs of College 144
Return on Investment in Higher Education 147
What Is Financial Aid? 148
What Are the Different Forms of Financial Aid? 149
How Is Aid Presented by the College? 153
Should You Take Loans? 154
Working During College 155
Factoring in Graduate School 157
Colleges’ Resources for Student Financial Wellness 158
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 159

9.  Success After College: Employment, Further Education, and Beyond 161
How to Approach and Evaluate Colleges’ Career Services 162
Matching Qualifications to Postgraduation Outcomes 165
What Do Employers Look for in Students? 167
Civic Development: Making Contributions After College 168

Concluding Thoughts 170

Brief Glossary of Student Success Terms 171

References 177

Index 191

About the Author 204