The first of two articles on the psychological dimensions of the school-to-college transition looks at the rising anxiety of high school seniors applying to and selecting colleges, at the importance of rituals in the transition process, the stress of decision-making about the future, and the changes occurring during the senior year in high school.…

A collaborative effort between the St. Louis Public Schools (Missouri) and the private sector gives junior and senior high school students an orientation to the world of work, plus stipends to work in professional settings for eight weeks during the summer. Although all the students in the program come from low-income families, 95% of those who…

A national sample of high school seniors completed surveys about their educational plans. Results indicated that educational plans were significantly related to race and religious involvement. The racial difference was more pronounced for males than for females. There was a positive relationship between the likelihood of seeking more education and…

A program developed in Ohio partners schools and higher education institutions to increase college attendance in Appalachia. Field trips to a variety of work places and postsecondary institutions acquaint students with career and college options. As graduation approaches, schools counsel parents on financial aid. The program has increased college…

A 7-week summer program for college-bound American Indian students prepares them for college and trains them to become leaders. Through role playing a fictitious Native tribe, students encounter realistic dilemmas similar to those facing tribal governments and realize that tribal leaders' decisions involve many social and political issues…

Among 450 high school seniors surveyed in Lambayeque province, Peru, 68% planned to apply for university admission, despite a low rate of acceptance. Students had unrealistic expectations of future employment benefits derived from higher education, and rural students and those from less educated families had less realistic attitudes than their…

Explores causes of the qualitative and quantitative diminution of community college transfers, including structural causes best addressed through accreditation. Considers the scope of accreditation and policies and practices of specialized and regional agencies. Argues that accreditation can influence general education, faculty qualifications,…

A prototype computerized expert system was designed to advise high school or first-year college students who are uncertain about a particular college or major. On-demand consultation gathers information about student grades, interests, test scores, and aptitudes, assesses admission qualifications for a variety of majors, then recommends curricula…

Discusses the collegiate role of community colleges, arguing that liberal arts and transferable career education make up the collegiate function. Suggests that access to collegiate education is a stronger form of educational opportunity because of the skills it can provide and the potential for educational and other gains for students. (MAB)

This workshop for Tennessee adolescents emphasizes the importance of attitude/discipline and the necessity for youth to plan their lives, and to have a dream and work to make it come true. Participants include two University of Maryland (Baltimore) students, who discuss going to college, and one university official. (SLD)

Examined the perceptions of 70 urban and suburban African-American students regarding the influences on their decision making to participate or not participate in higher education. Findings show the importance of racial and cultural considerations and highlight the need for studying students' perceptions. (SLD)

Compared adolescents attending college to adolescent nonenrollees and found that (1) college attendees experienced improved means of perceived security to parents, decreased perceptions of social support, and increased feelings of loneliness and social anxiety; and (2) perceived security to parents at end of high school predicted positive changes…

Discusses problems American Indian students encounter in large universities, including financial concerns, communication problems, isolation, and prejudice. Suggests that students who go to tribal colleges first complete more classes on schedule and have a better overall grade point average than those who go directly to universities. (NB)

This collection of innovations includes: suggestions for attracting more minority group teachers by getting more students of color into college; an e-mail mentoring program; a statewide student newspaper; an online nutrition education program; and a Vital Links communication training, which is a professional development program that builds more…

Six necessary program components to prepare gifted students with disabilities for productive adult lives are identified: provide challenging educational experiences along with supports, facilitate passion learning through enrichment activities, empower students through student-centered planning, develop self-advocacy, enhance positive social…