What does it mean to be both “college ready” and “college capable”? These are two terms we often discuss with students as they prepare for the next step after high school.
College readiness is often something students have heard of, and usually when people discuss this term casually, they are referring to both academic preparation and the factors that define college capability.
However, college readiness is more closely tied to academic readiness and preparation. Did the courses students took in high school prepare them for the academic course load and rigor of the university classroom? Did students take on the challenge of AP, International Baccalaureate, Honors or dual enrollment to demonstrate their academic readiness for the college classroom? Have they taken courses for multiple years across the five core academic disciplines – English, math, science, social studies and foreign language? Have they taken elective courses preparing them for their intended major, such as introduction to engineering design for students who plan on majoring in engineering?
Of course, it is important to note all of this is evaluated by colleges within the context of what is offered at students’ high schools. So, for example, students cannot be penalized for not taking dual enrollment courses if their school does not offer dual enrollment options. This also applies to AP courses – students cannot be expected to take 12 AP courses if their school only offers eight AP courses.
College capability, on the other hand, refers to how students are prepared to survive and thrive beyond the college classroom in a new environment. Are they ready to be the sole manager of their time, schedule and routine? This includes considering living styles with new roommates, learning to do their own laundry, budgeting their own money and all of the other things related to living as adults. It even includes being capable of feeding themselves healthy and balanced meals on a regular schedule.
More than 36% of first-year college students end up dropping out or transferring. Surprisingly, the No. 1 reason is not college readiness (academic issues), but lack of being college capable. Lack of capability often results in lower grades because the student is unable to balance their newfound freedom with the responsibility of managing their own lives.
Understanding what it means to be college capable is understanding how students manage their responsibilities – whether that load is just school and extracurricular activities, or whether their load includes school, extracurricular activities and possibly working a job. What we typically find is this is the place where most students, even those with straight A’s and extensive academic readiness, really begin to fall down, as there hasn’t been enough time spent making sure that they are college capable.
This is a great place for parents to participate in helping students prepare for college. It’s a conversation and plan for parents to have with their students now so they can begin building routines while their home support system is still in place. Introducing responsibilities to high school students that will allow them to manage their own time effectively will ease the transition to college as it relates to being college capable, and ultimately will positively contribute to all-around student success in the college environment.
Jordana Bischoff is a college admissions adviser for College Unlocked. For more information, email [email protected] or visit collegeunlocked.com.
