Most Students Do Not Attend Elite Colleges: What Does that Mean in Practice?

Many parents understandably focus their efforts on getting their children into elite colleges/universities. I understand and appreciate that effort. But, there is not space at elite colleges for every student who wants and is eligible to attend them.  And, there are many excellent colleges/universities that are not defined as "elite." Remember, elite does not always equal excellence. And, not all students are a good fit for elite colleges/universities.

But, that issue does not really concern me -- that much.

What really concerns me is that the overwhelming majority of Pell eligible students do not attend the top 40 colleges in the nation.  This linked piece -- it just appeared in Hechinger Report -- addresses the ways we need to think about students attending non-elite institutions and the institutions themselves.  What concerns me is the lack of concern for and attention to Pell eligible students and the institutions of higher education they attend.

https://hechingerreport.org/why-most-first-generation-college-students-will-attend-second-tier-schools/.

The article is a plea for more attention to and focus on the students who are low income and attending non-elite institutions. Both matter; both need their voices heard. Actually, they need not only to be heard, they need people to act differently and change their perceptions, their focus and their largess.

I appreciate that there is little glamour in helping those less privileged or supporting non-elite institutions.  I know that wealth begets wealth.  But, if we want to close the achievement gap, if we want to help America's most needy students in lasting ways, we need to shift our attention away from the top 40 (or top 100) colleges/universities and toward less elite institutions that serve millions of students who can succeed in higher ed.  Maybe not glamorous work but certainly meaningful work.  That has its own appeal.

Follow:@KarenGrossEdu