The Importance of Parental Support

The most important influence on students' college aspirations is the encouragement and support of their parents. Ultimately, your attitudes and behavior regarding higher educaton:

· Have more influence on your child that what his or her peers say and do.
· Have more influence than teachers or guidance counselors.

However, students whose parents did not attend college themselves are at a disadvantage.

· One study found that only 36% of "first generation" students hope to earn a bachelor's degree or higher as compared to 78% of students for whom at least one parent has a degree.
· Only 45% of "first generation" students take the SAT or ACT, tests required by most colleges for admission; 82% of students with a college-educated parent take one of the tests.
· Most importantly, only 26% of "first generation" students apply to a four-year institution, as compared with 71% of students from college-educated families. You cannot attend a college if you do not apply.

It is likely that one reason for these huge differences is the fact that parents who did not attend college themselves may be less able or willing to offer that all-important support, encouragement and guidance to their children. They may not appreciate the opportunities a college education provides. They may not know enough about the experience to be able to offer support. They may be afraid they will offer the "wrong" advice or make a mistake.

If this is the case for you, read on...

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