It is sad but true that U.S. bachelor’s degree completion rates are among the worst in the industrialized world.  In fact, at a 56 percent completion rate, the U.S. rate ranks 26th among 27 industialized democracies, surpassing only Italy.  This must change, and it must come through a concerted effort involving all stakeholders in higher education, including parents.  Please share your own school’s or your own family’s best practices when it comes to supporting a student’s path to college graduation.  We can all learn from each other and, in the process, lift bachelor’s degree completion to a much higher level.

‘Twas was the week after Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not a laptop nor mouse.

College Parents of America hopes that you are enjoying the holidays with your son or daughter home from college.  Share your holiday-break experiences with your fellow parents at Hoverings: A Blog for Current and Future College Parents on the home page of www.collegeparents.org.  We’ll get to back to serious business in the New Year, meanwhile take advantage of these special days with the college students in your family.

For parents of high school seniors, the holidays bring an extra stress this year.  Not only is  there last-minute shopping to be done, but also last-minute college applications to be submitted, as many schools impose a January 1 deadline.  Just as we adults experience problems due to careless mistakes when we do a last-minute submission of a work project, so too can our children make an “unforced error” when it comes to their college apps.  So while the application process should be owned by your child, it is OK for you to serve as a coach, mentor and proofreader-in-chief.  Wearing these hats, you can help to ensure that applications are submitted on time, with complete information and minimal typos.

How you been through this process before?  What lessons would you like to share with your fellow parents?  Submit your comments to Hoverings: A Blog for Current and Future College Parents, located on the home page of www.collegeparents.org

In the past 20 years, the gender distinction in college enrollment not only evened out, it  actually reversed.  Whereas in our day, many colleges consisted of 60 percent men and 40 percent women, by 2015 the average college graduating class will be just the opposite and, if current trends continue, by 2020 the ratio of women to men attending college will be 2-to-1.  What are your thoughts on this issue?  Were you aware of this relatively recent gender reversal and accelerating difference between the number of young women and young men on campus?  Should something be done at the federal or state level to address the topic?  Let us know your thoughts in Hoverings: A Blog for Current and Future College Parents, located on the home page of www.collegeparents.org.  Thank you for your interest in College Parents of America.

Far too many families treat the college application and acceptance process for their first child in the same way they approached impending childbirth for that child.  So much attention is focused on the “getting in” process that scant bandwidth is left over for the family to concentrate on a successful college transition.  This is analogous to the manner in which many couples focus so much on the birthing of their child that they pay too little notice to what to do to operate as a successful family once they return home from the hospital.

 With a freshman dropout rate of 26%, families must pay more attention to supporting a successful college transition for their child.  They must also urge colleges and universities to invest in student support services, so that the “accepted” student can turn into a successful graduate.  What strategies have you, and your child’s college or university, used to positive effect?  Please share your views with your parent peers at Hoverings: A Blog for Current and Future College Parents, located on the home page of www.collegeparents.org.  Thank you in advance for contributing your comments.