Straight Talk for College-Bound Students and Their Parents: What No One Tells You but Expects You to Know

By Saundra Richardson Mckay

When looking ahead to college, high school students often don’t consider the here and now. Meanwhile, parents might plan for tuition, but even they don’t know much about preparing their child for higher education in an every day sort of way. Straight Talk for College-Bound Students and Their Parents is a “pocket guide” that focuses on creating a successful college experience.

Starting in high school, students can improve their odds by enrolling in certain courses that help prepare for two- or four-year colleges. Learn tips on academic advisors, the college catalogue, FERPA, and more, all in an effort to help students move smoothly from semester to semester toward graduation.

Author and educator Saundra Richardson Mckay speaks directly to all college-bound students and their parents. She teaches how to take an active role in preparation and persistence in higher education, and she makes concrete suggestions to help break down the walls that hold young students back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532091094

Saundra Richardson Mckay

Saundra Richardson McKay is a retired College Vice President of Student Services with thirty-five years of experience in higher education. A graduate of Grambling State University and the University of Evansville, she was awarded the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” for her years of service—the highest honor given to a civilian in North Carolina.

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Copyright © 2020 Saundra Richardson Mckay.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-9110-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-9109-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020900325

iUniverse rev. date: 01/08/2020

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

PART I

Are Students Ready for College?

Develop a College Plan

Two-Year College

Four-Year College

Academic Advisors

Importance of the College Catalog

Other Information You Need to Know

Resources

PART II

Advice for Parents of College-Bound Students

Conclusion

Bibliography

To the many

students and parents I had the honor of serving during my thirty-five years and who taught and molded me along the way. I enjoyed being a part of your successes!

To my husband, Bruce, who encouraged me to write this book and stood beside me with loving support. To my children, whom I cherish dearly, Dana, Edward, Brucie, Aaron, and Skylar, and my host of adorable grands and great-grands! Thank you, Sabrina.

Acknowledgments

The following are colleges and universities that I have been affiliated with during my tenure in higher education:

Richmond Community College

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Sandhills Community College

University of Evansville

University of Houston–Clear Lake

University of Houston–Fort Bend

Houston Community College System

Queens College–Charlotte, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Introduction

In 1989, at Queens College, a small, upscale, private women’s institution in Charlotte, North Carolina, I interviewed for the position of student development coordinator. On a cool January afternoon, I met with the vice president of academic affairs and confirmed and accepted the position. As student development coordinator, I would be her assistant, and my job would be to connect with the student population and find out from them if they were happy there, and if they weren’t, why not. What was working and what was not?

I had no idea how to do that or where to begin. I had no experience with that sort of thing and had been chosen by the student government association because they felt comfortable with me after meeting with them on two separate occasions.

I was given an old office with an old, dusty desk, a chair, and a bookcase with one book on the shelf. The huge letters on the big black book read NACADA. It looked like it was a hundred years old. I didn’t have a clue what the letters meant.

Again I met with the vice president to gather more information about how and where to begin introducing myself to the college,