Doing College Right

Joe O’Shea is dean of undergraduate studies and assistant provost at Florida State University. He also serves as a higher education expert for the U.S. Department of Education and other national efforts.

“In our national obsession with getting into a particular college, Joe O’Shea’s book presents a new and welcome approach to the process. A terrific new resource that I highly recommend!” —Robert S. Clagett, coordinator of the Gap Year Research Consortium at Colorado College “A reader-friendly treasure trove of research-based insights about what matters to a high quality undergraduate experience and the information needed to determine a promising fit.” —George D. Kuh, chancellor’s professor emeritus of higher education, Indiana University

• ContentsAcknowledgments xiIntroduction: Getting In Is Not Enough 1The Changing College Landscape 3How to Use This Book 6The Book’s Structure 7PART I: PRIORITIZING STUDENT SUCCESS 91.  Changing Expectations: The Student Success Movement 11What Is Student Success? 12What Should Define Student Success? 15Making Sure a College Prioritizes Student Success 162.  Seeing Beyond the Rankings 21What Are the Different Kinds of Colleges? 21Understanding Rankings 25Connecting Rankings to Graduation Rates 26Examining Graduation Rates and More 27Acceptance Rates, Selectivity, and Outcomes 29Criticism of Rankings 30Finding Data in the College Search 32PART II: EXCELLING ACADEMICALLY 373.  The Curriculum: What Happens in the Classroom Matters 39Developing a Learning Perspective 40What Is a Good Course? 41Components of a Course: Tests, Group Projects, and More 47How Many Classes Should You Take? 49Are There Enough Courses? 51Is Class Size Important? 52Guided Pathways: Structure and Guidance Matters 54General Education Courses 56Capstone Courses and Senior Projects 56What About Online Courses? 57Academic Offerings and Major Selection 59Double Majors and Combined Bachelor’s + Master’s Programs 62What About Undecided Majors? 64Limited Access and Restricted Majors 64Changing Majors 65Earning College Credit in High School 66What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 674.  Staying on Track: Academic and Student Support 69Advising and Mentoring 72Forms of Advising and Mentoring 74Support for Underrepresented and Underserved Students 77Support During Emergency, Non-Academic Life Events 79Parental and Family Support and Engagement 80Student Engagement with Faculty 83Academic Support: Libraries, Tutoring, and Study Skills 85Support During the First Year: Orientation, Onboarding, and Transitions 86What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 88PART III: DEVELOPING FULLY 915.  Beyond the Classroom: Applied and Experiential Learning 93Work-Based Learning: Internships and Co-ops 96Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity 98Service Learning 101Study Abroad 102Assessing a College’s Applied and Experiential Learning 105What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 1066.  Does It Matter Who Your Friends Are? Engagement and Leadership Development 108Culture and Fit 111Sense of Belonging and Imposter Syndrome 112Learning Communities: Making College Feel Smaller 114Honors Programs 115Residential Life 116Roommates 118Student Clubs 119Volunteering and Community Engagement 120Fraternities and Sororities 122Student Government 123What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 1247.  Mental Health, Safety, and Wellness 126College Students’ Mental Health 127Preventative Practices in Mental Health 129Case Management 130Family, Guardians, and Student Well-Being 131Safety and Policing 132Food and Dining 134Campus Healthcare 136Recreation and Personal Fitness 136Spiritual Wellness 137What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 138PART IV: FUNDING AND LAUNCHING FROM COLLEGE 1418.  Money Matters: Costs and Financial Aid 143Understanding the Costs of College 144Return on Investment in Higher Education 147What Is Financial Aid? 148What Are the Different Forms of Financial Aid? 149How Is Aid Presented by the College? 153Should You Take Loans? 154Working During College 155Factoring in Graduate School 157Colleges’ Resources for Student Financial Wellness 158What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 1599.  Success After College: Employment, Further Education, and Beyond 161How to Approach and Evaluate Colleges’ Career Services 162Matching Qualifications to Postgraduation Outcomes 165What Do Employers Look for in Students? 167Civic Development: Making Contributions After College 168Concluding Thoughts 170Brief Glossary of Student Success Terms 171References 177Index 191About the Author 204