Literarture Review Blog #1

 The Journal of Higher Education: "First-Generation College Students: Additional Evidence on College Experiences and Outcomes" was a study conducted by Ernest T. Pascarella and other professors and researchers. Dr. Ernest Pascerella is professor at the University of Iowa, College of Education. He focuses a lot of his books, lectures, and research on the impact of college on students. The study was conducted to compare first-generation college students to students whose parents were seasoned in higher education. First generation college students are defined in this article as students whose parents have no college experience whatsoever. In comparison, it is clear that there are vast differences between first generation college students and students whose parents have a college education. The study talks extensively about the academic experiences of both groups. The researchers come to conclusion that "first generation college students are more handicapped in accessing and understanding information and attitudes relevant to making beneficial decisions about... social choices to make while in attendance," (Pascarella 252). 

Dr. Ernest T. Pascarella

One of the most profound statements made about social integration made in this article was:

Ironically, first-generation students derived greater outcome benefits from extracurricular involvement and peer interaction than other students even though they were significantly less likely to be engaged in these activities during college. (278)

Though most first-generation students participating at work more than anything else they really are not exposed to social ties. However, when they are involved in extracurricular activities, they tend to benefit more. This idea stresses the importance of social integration but also sheds light to the fact that first-generation college students normally don't have the option to participate. This is because they are focused on making money, paying tuition, paying for miscellaneous fees, or making early payments on the loans they have taken out. These students are also denied access to network of people that share their in their backgrounds. 

The article also emphasizes the impact social integration has on academics. "Noncourse-related interactions with peers had impacts on science reasoning, writing skills, and educational degree plans that were significantly more positive for first-generation," (273). Social integration affects academic success. If less students participate outside of the classroom, then the likelihood of them failing or dropping out increases. This is true among first-generation college students. They are less likely to participate outside of class because of their condition, and therefore they are less likely to complete college.

Works Cited

Pascarella, Ernest T., Christopher T. Pierson, Gregory C. Wolniak, and Patrick T. Terenzini. "First-Generation College Students: Additional Evidence On College Experiences And Outcomes." The Journal of Higher Education 75.3 (2004): 249-284. Print.

Research Blog #2:

I have decided to center my research on the effects of being a college student from a lower-class or being first generation. It is something that relates to me. I feel that when you do not really come from much, people are often pushed to focus achieving academic success above all other things. Often, as first generation or poorer students, we are told that only way we can make it in and post college is with brains. I want to emphasize how the lack of socialization can hinder post-graduation and academics.


I found a film centered on what discrimination does to students. Social class division might not be a direct and brutal form of discrimination but it is discrimination among the classes nonetheless. The film is called "Frontline: A Class Divided."



http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3838816.pdf?acceptTC=true&jpdConfirm=true
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2112665.pdf?&acceptTC=true&jpdConfirm=true

I learned that socialization is important but harder for first generation college students to do. It is not because they are not sociable but because they have very little to share. Therefore it is important to create a sense of community that appeals to their interests and backgrounds. I also came to the realization that the EOF program at universities like Rutgers gives these students a sense of belonging and community. In a way they are no longer aloof. However class differences creates an invisible boundary among students and grades for kids without a support system tend to be bad.

Resarch Blog #1: Topic 1

Is college really a corporate machine taking advantage of uninformed students? What is this corporate machine doing to the "American Dream"? Is college really conditioning society for a new economic system?

My mother came to this country in the 1993, in pursuit of opportunity and the American Dream. Unfortunately, she pursuit was cut short when she had me and assumed the role of a mother. She abandoned her own dreams that one day her child would pick up where she left off. Being a first generation college student from a single parent home is not always the easiest. I am also not heavily informed about the system. I'm learning as I go along, like other students like me. I like to call kids like me the "trial-and-error" children. Being the oldest, parents use us to test our parenting skills, the educational system uses us to test out their learning plans, and so forth. So I want to know how college is for the trail and error children. Are we really being taken advantage of? And secondly, am I going to live up to my mother's standard of the "American Dream?"