Why College?

1. Why College? Claudia Morales School/University Partnerships University of California, Berkeley

2. Educational Journey • What messages did you receive both negative and positive, about your ability and your potential to go to college? • From whom? • What high school preparation did you receive? • Did you have a choice of preparation? • What generation college are you or your child? 1st in your family or so many you can’t keep track? Who paid? • When you were in high school, did you easily see yourself as a college student?

3. What are the advantages of a college education? • Intellectual • Developmental • Financial

4. Intellectual • Exposure to courses and areas of study that are not available anywhere else • Increase in reading, writing, mathematical and analytical skills which will help in every aspect of life • Exposure to professors who are doing cutting edge research in their field.

5. Developmental • Increase in maturity and responsibility due to students’ having complete responsibility for their academic career-no hand holding or reminders! • Exposure to a vast array of cultures, philosophies, ways of life and a need for tolerance of those differences. • Exposure to a vast array of student activities and opportunities including student groups, tutoring, mentoring and study abroad. • Transition to adulthood

6. Financial • A four-year college graduate earns almost $1 million dollars more over his or her lifetime than a high school graduate. • The average annual income of a four-year college graduate is about $52,000, compared to the average annual income of $30,400 for a high school graduate. • With a college education, one can also expect better working conditions, longer job tenure, more on-the job training opportunities and more promotion opportunities.