Get ’Em Out: Help Your Teen Discover a Successful Path to College (... and Out of Your House!)

By J. Cole M.A.

Get 'Em Out is a Call-To-Action for middle and high school families. This college planning guide is everything that any parent would need or want to help their student navigate the path from high school to college. It addresses the question of whether or not college is worth the investment and offers a personal narrative that will inspire you to act in the best interest of your student and family. There are college insider tips and useful tools designed to lessen the high level of stress and anxiety associated with college planning. This is a must read for every family with aspirations for their student achieving success in higher education.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Feb 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781684708970

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Get ‘Em Out

Help Your Teen Discover A Successful Path To College (... and Out of Your House!)

J. Cole, M.A.

Copyright © 2019 J. Cole, M.A.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

ISBN: 978-1-6847-0898-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6847-0897-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019912746

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 12/12/2019

Get ‘Em Out was written to inspire all those families and students who question the value of a college education to dream of a better future and take action to make a college degree become a reality.

Introduction

Get ‘Em Out is a college planning guide for middle and high school families. It was written to educate families about the value of higher education and benefits of the college experience. My hope is to empower them with the necessary tools and motivation to achieve their goals for education. This book will provide the necessary information to discover a successful path from high school to college.

Get ‘Em Out is more than just a how-to reference guide for college planning. It is the unique story that chronicles my journey from college dropout to college counselor. My personal saga is integrated throughout the book, along with relevant facts, expert opinion, and enlightening anecdotes. I bring over nineteen years of college counseling experience and expertise to this subject and hope to inspire my readers to act in the best interests of their student.

This guide incorporates a variety of educational resources and advice from college counseling professionals, as well as valuable lessons I learned from successfully counseling hundreds of students and their families. I have worked with students from the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and Middle East. This guide will offer evidence to show why college is the best option for your student. I wrote this book for those individuals who may not fully understand and appreciate the significance of a college education. One of the primary goals of Get ‘Em Out is for you to better comprehend and embrace the intrinsic value of the college experience.

Some families may question the return on investment (ROI) of a college education. This guide addresses the question of why attending a university or college is a necessary and worthwhile sacrifice for students and families. I focus on other questions, such as, How do I prepare my high school student to get into college? and Where do I discover the funds to cover the cost of attending college? Get ‘Em Out tackles these issues and more.

Many view college as something that is too challenging difficult—if not impossible—for most students to accomplish. It is thought of as an exclusive institution that exists somewhere out there, with its ivy-covered walls, distinguished faculty, and mystique. Some believe that it is reserved for the highly gifted or exclusive 1 percent. This perceived lack of access and questionable ROI often lead to low or no college expectations for many students. Get ‘Em Out will help to demystify and enhance your understanding of college.

Have you ever asked teens if they are going to college—not where, but if they are planning to attend a university or college? The answer for most of us would be yes. How many times have you asked students if they were going to middle school or high school? My guess is that many people would reply never.

When you raise the question about attending college it can (and often does) create doubt for a young person or family. Students do not question if they will go to middle school but enrolling in a college is a whole other matter for too many in this country. College is expensive, admissions is not guaranteed for many schools, and there is always the question of ROI. A free public education through high school is guaranteed in this country, but college is not.

The reality of college access is dramatically less challenging than the public perception. There are over 4,300 public and private colleges and universities in the United States. They come in all shapes and sizes, such as liberal arts colleges, research universities, women and men’s colleges, and historically black colleges. There are also two-year or community colleges with open enrollment for all students. The options are many, and it is the responsibility of families to educate themselves about the choices.

In addition to providing the relevant facts that families need for college planning, this book will also give your student some useful tools. Get ‘Em Out includes features such as a college timeline, campus evaluation sheet, organization charts, and a special chapter titled Stuff Your Mama Never Told You that includes college insider tips for students. Each tool is intended to equip students to stay organized and motivated to create their own unique college action plan.

The average teen is focused on his or herself and the present (e.g. What’s in it for me? or Why can’t I play with my friends right now?) They are challenged to think about the future. Adults on the other hand worry about tomorrow and taking care of others (How am I going to make the mortgage payment? or Who is going to clean his room and do the laundry?) The reality is that we must enjoy the moment and plan for another day.

As parents, our role is to provide our children with their basic needs. This includes helping them to complete their formal education (or preparing for tomorrow.) A large part of my inspiration for writing Get ‘Em Out came from my own children. I believe it is critical for parents to model the behavior they want their offspring to emulate. We must work to ensure that our children are prepared to leave home and lead productive, independent, and happy lives. This book is a call to action for families to help their children discover success in higher education and to "Get ‘Em Out!"

CHAPTER 1

Why College?

All parents hope their students will grow up to fulfill their potential and go on to lead independent lives. Parents want to see their children discover joy and success. There has always been a debate over how to achieve those objectives, but we likely can agree that we desire the same outcome for our children. Parents have a responsibility to raise their children and prepare them to leave the nest. The dilemma is whether or not a college education is the best path to make it happen.

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A University or College?

The institutions are similar but some things set them apart. They often have different mission statements and priorities. These distinctions could make one a better fit for your student than another. The goal is to help your student discover the most appropriate setting, and understanding these disparities is critical. Let’s start with a basic definition for both schools.

A university is an institution of higher learning that consists of an undergraduate and graduate program. College is also an institution of higher learning but is traditionally limited to an undergraduate program. There are exceptions to these simple descriptions, but most educators would agree with them. I want to elaborate on the meaning of each to ensure clarity and purpose as you decide between them.

A large, elite university will routinely focus on graduate research. This is one of the primary ways it acquires and maintains its prestigious status. You may have heard or read an announcement that goes something like this: University of Chicago researchers support the theory … or A study conducted at Cornell University indicates … The commitment to research keeps the school name in the academic spotlight, while also producing critical revenue for the operating budget or bottom line for this business entity. An elite university’s academic reputation is largely dependent on successful research. Many universities also support undergraduate research, but the graduate-level research has the greatest impact. The question for you and your student is this: what impact will this have on his or her undergraduate experience?

A traditional liberal arts college will have an undergraduate program and may or may not have a graduate school. Those that do have graduate programs are usually limited in size and scope, compared to the undergraduate program. The priority for a college is to provide its graduates with a liberal arts education. This will prepare them to successfully enter graduate school or the workforce. You cannot go to medical school or any professional school until you complete an undergraduate program. Colleges provide the foundation for graduate school.

Ask yourself the following questions: Which one of these two institutions will best prepare my student to transition to graduate school or the workforce? Where should my child go to best prepare to get into the top law school? What institution will enable my student to have the best undergraduate experience? Is it a university or college? The university has two priorities: graduate and undergraduate programs. The traditional college has a single focus: an undergraduate program. You get to choose, but be aware as you seek the best fit for college.

Colleges are designed for eighteen-year-olds, and universities are for twenty-four-year-olds. This statement may be an over-simplification and some may argue it is just wrong. I believe there is merit to the argument that one is more appropriate for undergraduate study (college) and the other for graduate work (university.)

The reality of which is best will vary from student to student. Colleges and universities both have advantages and disadvantages. It comes down to what is the best fit for your child. Is your child best served as the little fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a little pond? The question of where your student will be the happiest should always be in the forefront of your thinking when it comes to selecting a college. The following story highlights the outcome when students make a well-informed decision on college.

In this scenario, a student chose a college where he was comfortable and able to stand out. He made the decision to attend a small college because it felt like the best fit. Your student may be better suited to excel at a large public university, or his or her choice may be a small college. The main point is that you and your student need to understand the differences to make an informed decision.

Is College Worth the Cost?

High school students have many options to consider after graduation. Below are some of the most popular choices for your student to consider:

✓ They can attend a technical or trade school to learn a skill

✓ Online courses allow students to get a degree or certification.

✓ They can join the military.

✓ They can go directly into the workforce.

✓ Graduates can attend college to earn a degree.

Those who have attended college and earned a degree recognize the significance that experience played in their lives. It enables them to develop practical life skills and to learn to get along with others. They start new relationships that grow and often last a lifetime. (How many married couples do you know who met in college?)

College students must take responsibility to ensure their basic needs are satisfied. They learn how to manage their time and navigate the day unsupervised (many for the first time.) College graduates can articulate how college enabled them to transition to adulthood and enter the world, ready for success.

Where would college graduates be today without their undergraduate experience? How much different would their lives be if they had skipped college? What dollar value would they place on the experience? I would argue that a college education is priceless. It is a critical step in the evolution of successful and happy people.

A liberal arts education is a necessary commodity for the greater good of society. The survival of a democracy is dependent on learned and caring citizens. College graduates have developed and enhanced their reading, writing, critical-thinking and analytical skills. They have acquired the soft skills that will be necessary to fill those careers that do not currently exist. This term most commonly refers to the ability to effectively communicate with others, work collaboratively, lead and adapt to new challenges. It is a valued skill set that many employers seek in prospective applicants. This will enhance your graduates’ likelihood to become gainfully employed after college.

The acquisition of a bachelor’s degree will allow students to pursue an advanced degree or a professional career. The critical-thinking skills and academic foundation established in college help to give the greatest chance to be their best selves with every endeavor. It will enable them to look at life with a discerning perspective to make comprehensive and informed decisions. The college experience produces capable individuals who are prepared to contribute toward the greater good for everyone. It may sound overly optimistic or naive, but colleges and universities produce graduates who go out and do good things in the world. And they tend to be happy people.

I believe that learning is a lifelong practice. Young and old alike spend millions of dollars going to the gym to exercise and strengthen their bodies, but far too many of them neglect one of the most important organs—the brain. College students get to exercise that organ daily in the best possible environment.

What are the powerful and wealthy people all over the world planning for their own children? Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc., spoke to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), saying, Rich people expect their kids to go to college.¹ Why should the other 99 percent not have the same expectations for their own children?

What are select members of the media, who sometimes question the value of a college education, planning for their offspring? Although they may raise questions on the cost and value of a college education, they make that investment for their own children. I suggest that when the top 1 percent, along with the media, stop investing in higher education, then the rest of us should consider the same.

Let me close this section with data about college graduates. Christopher S. Rugaber, of the Associated Press, wrote that college graduates earn 56 percent more than high school graduates². The number of jobs available for individuals without a college degree continues to decline and there is no indication this will change. A college graduate with 0-5 years of work experience can expect to earn over $50,000 annually. The statistics further support that college graduates have lower