The Summer Before College: A Case Study of First-Generation, Urban High School Graduates

• Published in: Urban education (Beverly Hills, Calif.) Vol. 58; no. 8; pp. 1658 - 1686
• Main Authors: Tichavakunda, Antar, Galan, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Admission (School); Barriers; Case studies; Change Strategies; College Bound Students; College graduates; College Preparation; College Readiness; College students; First Generation College Students; Guidance; Help Seeking; High School Graduates; Higher education; Hispanic American Students; Influences; Latin Americans; Post High School Guidance; Secondary school students; Social Capital; Student Behavior; Urban areas; Urban Schools; California; high school; college access; subjects; urban education; case studies; programs; postsecondary education
• ISSN: 0042-0859; 1552-8340
• DOI: 10.1177/0042085920914362

Often without guidance in completing college-related tasks, first-generation students face unique challenges during the summer before college. This case study investigates this critical time period by studying a cohort of 33 newly graduated students from the same urban, public high school. Guided by social capital, college readiness, and nepantla frameworks, results shed light on students’ barriers and pathways to transitioning to postsecondary education. The authors call for an extension of college readiness frameworks to the summer before college and also problematize the notion of a college-ready student.