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The Causes and Consequences of College Dropouts

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Introduction:

Going to college is an important milestone in life that can open up a world of opportunities. It offers an opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and experience that can help you both in your professional and personal life. Sadly, college students are dropping out at an alarming rate, with potentially devastating consequences for their career prospects. The purpose of this research is to identify some of the main reasons why students drop out of college. Taking college dropouts seriously is important because they have a profound impact on their lives. The immediate effects of dropping out of college can be felt in terms of the loss of educational opportunities and financial resources. These effects can be further compounded by a lack of job opportunities and a limited ability to find a career path. As estimated, there is an average difference of $21,000 between college graduates and non-graduates, resulting in an annual salary of 35% less (ThinkImpact, 2021). It can prove that these dropouts can create poverty in a country.

Students drop out of college for many reasons. As part of this research, we will explore a variety of motivating factors, including feeling overwhelmed, financial pressure, and lack of support. Some consequences of dropping out of college will be discussed as well.

Discussion:

Several factors contribute to college dropouts, but poverty is one of the most significant. Poverty is a major problem, and it can have a significant impact on college students. According to the article “College Dropout Rates” published by ThinkImpact, “55% of college students struggle to find financial support for their studies. Consequently, 51% of college dropouts drop out because of the lack of money (Thinkimpact, 2021).” When students come from families with low incomes and limited resources, they face more challenges in their education than those from more affluent backgrounds. As stated by Thinkimpact, “79% of the students delay their graduation due to financial difficulties (ThinkImpact, 2021).” These difficulties can lead to an increased dropout rate among low-income students. A major contributing factor to college dropouts from low-income families is the lack of financial resources. The cost of college tuition and other expenses, such as books and housing, can be a large financial burden for students from low-income households which leads them to take a loan. In the article “Financial Capability of Student Loan Holders Who Are College Students, Graduates, or Dropouts” published by the Journal of Consumer Affairs (2020), it stated that “College students are more likely to experience financial stress when they have student loan debt as compared to those without student loan debt (Xiao, 3).” Many of these students are unable to take out loans or seek other forms of financial aid, making it difficult to afford college. This can lead to students dropping out of college to save money and find work to help support their families. According to Breier Mignonne’s article “From ‘Financial Considerations’ to ‘Poverty’: Towards a Reconceptualization of the Role of Finances in Higher Education Student Drop Out”, it’s very important to have money in lower socioeconomic groups, not just in choosing the institution and program, but also in preventing students from withdrawing from college prematurely, whether it’s because of unexpected financial needs or because they underestimated college costs. (Breier, 2010).

Moreover, many college students struggle with the overwhelming nature of college life. The pressure to attend classes, complete assignments, balance a job, and maintain a social life can quickly become too much for some students to handle. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious, which leads them to make the difficult decision of leaving college. With the amount of work and assignments expected of students, many can feel like they are drowning in a sea of expectations and cannot keep up. As reported in an article written by Nina Carpenter, “It is not about failing one or two classes.” Students feel overwhelmed when repeated foundation courses in the next semester or year become a pattern rather than an episode. Students feel overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do. Even if they find an online writing and tutoring service it may not help (Carpenter, 2022).” The amount of coursework and expectations can be a lot for a student to process, especially if they are attending college for the first time. Melanie Hanson in her article “College Dropout Rates” indicates that students who are first-generation or whose parents have not received a college degree tend to drop out more, as they comprise 40% of college dropouts (EDI, 2021). This can cause a student to become overwhelmed and discouraged, feeling as though they are not able to keep up with the demands of college life. Pressure to succeed and maintain a certain GPA can also be a factor in why students drop out of college. Many students believe that they are not good enough or don’t have what it takes to make it to college. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, leading to dropping out.

More than one-third of students fail to complete their college education. Lack of support from family, friends, and society can be another major contributing factor to this worrisome trend. Gradnation.org found that the top reasons for dropping out of school are: “No one cares whether I attend,” “School atmosphere,” and “Teacher problems” (Carpenter, 2022).  Students who do not receive adequate emotional, financial, and educational support from their families and peers are more likely to drop out due to feelings of isolation and lack of motivation. When a student does not feel supported, it can lead to a lack of motivation and a sense of hopelessness. Without support from family and peers, students can begin to feel like they are not capable of completing college and can give up.

Dropping out of college can have serious consequences. For one, it can greatly impact a student’s future job prospects. Without a college degree, it can be difficult to enter many professions or obtain a job that pays a livable wage. A student’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem can be negatively affected by dropping out of college. Many students who drop out of college may owe enormous loans. Xiao, et al (2020) found out that “graduates are more likely to practice several desirable financial behaviors than college students and dropouts.” Published in The Journal of Consumer Affairs. The college offers a wide range of opportunities to develop social contacts and friendships, so dropping out can lead to a decrease in social networks. Lastly, dropping out of college can reduce intellectual stimulation and learning opportunities. All these factors can severely limit a student’s future opportunities and success.

Conclusion and recommendations:

In conclusion, we have identified the most challenging causes of college dropouts as financial pressures, a lack of preparedness, feeling overwhelmed, and not feeling supported. Financial pressures can cause students to drop out due to the high costs associated with tuition, textbooks, and other school fees. Providing students with financial aid and scholarships for tuition, textbooks, and other academic needs can help them overcome this challenge. Also, a lack of preparation can lead to feeling overwhelmed and can make it difficult for students to keep up with their coursework. It may be beneficial to provide students with academic support services to assist them. This could include tutoring, mentorship programs, and counseling services. In addition, a lack of support from family, friends, or professors can leave students feeling isolated and cause them to give up. Students need to recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed and seek help before it leads to them dropping out. Creating an environment that is supportive and understanding of the unique challenges that students face can help prevent dropouts. This can include providing flexible scheduling, understanding of mental health issues, and support for students who are facing difficult life circumstances. All these factors can play a significant role in helping to ensure that students stay in college and reach their academic goals.

It is important to recognize that college dropouts are not necessarily failing, but instead, they may simply be choosing an alternative path. As demonstrated by many successful entrepreneurs and innovators, college dropouts can also be successful. The article “College Dropout Rates” by Imad Bouchrica asserts that some of the most prominent entrepreneurs of today, such as Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, dropped out of college (Bouchrika, 2023). Dropping out successfully requires considerable skill, vision, and luck. Lastly, it is crucial to create an environment that is supportive of college dropouts and to ensure that they have access to the resources they need to succeed.

 

Citation:

“College Dropout Rates.” ThinkImpact.com, 4 Oct. 2021, www.thinkimpact.com/college-dropout-rates/.

Bouchrika, Imed. “College Dropout Rates: 2023 Statistics by Race, Gender & Income.” Research.com, 5 Apr. 2023, https://research.com/universities-colleges/college-dropout-rates.

Breier, Mignonne. “From ‘Financial Considerations’ to ‘Poverty’: Towards a Reconceptualization of the Role of Finances in Higher Education Student Drop Out.” Higher Education, vol. 60, no. 6, Dec. 2010, pp. 657–70. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-010-9343-5.

Carpenter, Nina. “The Main Reasons Students Drop out of College.” Nerdynaut, Nina Carpenter, 25 Feb. 2022, www.nerdynaut.com/the-main-reasons-students-drop-out-of-college.  

Xiao, Jing Jian, et al. “Financial Capability of Student Loan Holders Who Are College Students, Graduates, or Dropouts.” Journal of Consumer Affairs, vol. 54, no. 4, Dec. 2020, pp. 1383–401. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12336.  

University of California, Berkeley

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A View of UC Berkeley

Summary 

The University of California, Berkeley is a public university established in 1868. Berkeley seeks students with a high level of determination, strong leadership qualities, passion, persistence, and a desire to give back. Students who are interested in a rich and personal academic experience and want to graduate within four years should consider this university. To convey this message, the college uses rhetorical strategies such as Imagining Ideal Readers and Purpose.

Analysis 

On its website, Berkeley explains some of its purposes for attracting ideal readers. As soon visiting their website, you will see the term “Artificial Intelligence” on the home page; which gives you a sense of intelligence for choosing this university. Under their About tab, they claim that “Berkeley is a place where the brightest minds from across the globe come together to explore, ask questions, and improve the world.” (UC Berkeley, 1) Berkeley’s goal with this statement is to convince the audience that they have students from across the globe, not just from the United States and CA and that they welcome more international students. This sentence gives international students hope for applying. Their goal is to position their students in positive competition with the smartest students around the globe so they can progress and learn new things. They call themselves “Brightest Minds”. By using this statement, Berkeley seeks to attract international and clever readers who can make a positive impact on the world with their knowledge.

“Berkeley is home to some of the world’s greatest minds leading more than 130 academic departments and 80 interdisciplinary research units and addressing the world’s most pertinent challenges.” (UC Berkeley, 3) The statement can be found on Berkeley’s Academics page. The site offers its readers a choice of academic departments and programs. Using these majors, students can make a positive impact on one of the world’s greatest challenges. Under the Campus Life tab, it mentioned that “Our students come from different places and backgrounds, but together they create a diverse and kinetic community that seeks to create a better world.” (UC Berkeley, 5) Although the students aren’t from the same country, culture, or ethnicity, they can still form a diverse community and experience lots of joy together while creating positive change. To support their statement they named some events, daily activities, and performances under the title “Events and Attractions” in the same tab. For example, students can visit BAMPFA if they are interested in museums, art, or dance. Students can visit Berkeley’s botanical garden, take a tour of CA Memorial Stadium, and attend concerts and sporting events. Under the Campus Life section, it is stated that “life at Berkeley doesn’t stand still. With over 35,000 students from around the world and a vibrant urban setting, it’s no wonder the campus community talks about a “fear of missing out.” Jump in and find out how dynamic and interconnected life at Berkeley can be.” (UC Berkeley, 5) This sentence promises two things: a spacious and diverse campus, and a dynamic and interconnected life. They want to attract readers who are looking for wider campuses, more fun, and more experiences.

Cal Band Performing on Sproul Hall Steps.

When it comes to Imagining Ideal Readers, UC Berkeley is certainly seeking students from different cultures; as Berkeley believes that they all have different backgrounds, experiences, and talents, and can work together to create a positive change. On the website, readers can find pictures of students from a variety of races and backgrounds, which will attract students who share similar characteristics.  Since getting an acceptance into this university isn’t easy, it is obvious they’re looking for brilliant students. Under the Student Profile tab, readers can see how many students are rejected and accepted each year. According to statistics, only 16,412 out of 112,854 applicants succeeded in gaining admission in 2021.  

Readers who are ideal at UC Berkeley go beyond studying to use their opportunities to make a positive difference in the world. “And Berkeley is at its best when you bring your whole self: the community you come from, the questions you dare to ask, the challenges you’ve conquered to get here, and the dreams about how you’ll make a difference.” (UC Berkeley, 5) Berkeley also envisions its ideal reader as someone with a strong sense of leadership. Berkeley has a LEAD center, which stands for Leadership, Engagement, Advising, and Development. This center aims to guide students and develop their leadership skills.

Response 

The university and its website were successful at conveying its goals to its audience. As a reader, I understood and enjoyed everything I read. Information on the university’s website enhances my understanding of it. Even imagining myself studying at Berkeley was fun for me. Studying at Berkeley is such a privilege and honor for students. By answering some questions about myself during free writing sessions, I discovered that I am a visual learner and that just studying isn’t enough for me to succeed. The resources and opportunities available at UC Berkeley will enable me to do real-life research and experience things from a close perspective. I can participate in a wide variety of majors, activities, organizations, and clubs, so they can explore campus life, gain experience, and have more resources to research. The campus offers several events and activities that I find interesting. Berkeley students will have the opportunity to build strong friendships with students around the world. Berkeley offers all the opportunities I need to excel in my field as a student. I can receive scholarships to continue my education at Berkeley and graduate with top job positions to work in after graduation. I just love everything about Berkeley, and I see a bright future for Berkeley students.

Berkeley’s Female Grads, 2021

Citation:

“Home.” University of California, Berkeley, 20 Mar. 2023, https://www.berkeley.edu/. 

 

Azriel Melvin’s Profile

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Ms. Azriel Melvin-Georgia State University

This essay will be about Azriel Melvin’s academic profile. I had a brief interview with Ms. Melvin about her academic self. During our thirty minutes zoom meeting, I had the chance to discuss her academic life, experiences, job, hobbies, and passion. Azriel is 17 years old and will turn 18 this April. She was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She went to Charles R Drew Charter School from k-12 and currently, she is in 12th grade. This is Azriel’s second semester at GSU as a dual enrollment student. She preferred to finish high school with dual enrollment classes rather than taking regular high school classes; she said “I want to get used to college and the experience before graduating.” She wants to start college immediately after she graduates; she wants to start college immediately because she wants to be independent, and work in her favorite passion. She doesn’t have a major right now but she wants to pursue a degree in business administration with a concentration in human resources. After earning her bachelor’s, she hopes to get her master’s, and one day she wants to work in a high position like Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

The three words that explain Azreil’s cadmic self are Curious, involved, and social. As she said the words curious and involved go hand in hand for her. She loves to ask questions. She said, “When I’m being taught, I often find myself needing clarity.” In general situations, she always wants to know the detail. “I don’t like “half information” as my mom calls it,” Azriel said. She told me that she is social because she usually never has a problem adjusting to different social situations or learning environments. As she said she also likes to believe that she communicates well which goes into being social.

Azriel is the 4th child but she was raised as the oldest. Her mom is her biggest influence because she cares a lot about her education and keeps her on track. She also helps her with scholarships and college applications. There was high expectation for her to be a good student so she can be a good role model for her younger siblings. She is proud that she always finds a way to finish the assignments on time, and she never gives up; her favorite subject is social studies. She loves to eat ice cream, sleep, and watch stream shows. Her favorite video was the college-creating poverty ted talk by Sara Goldbrick. She said that she agrees with the idea that “the new economics of college is creating poverty. Hunger, even homelessness, are holding students back.” She thinks students shouldn’t pay a high amount of money to get educated. Azriel said she likes Dr. Chew’s videos and it was so helpful for her. One of her favorite videos is “How to get the most out of studying” she said this video change her mindset about her method of studying. Azreil doesn’t work currently she wants to focus on her education now. Nothing is frustrating for her in college so far, she didn’t come across too many obstacles yet.

In conclusion of our discussion, I can say every student has different methods and styles, and ideas for achieving their academic or none academic goals. Azriel is one of the thousands of students that want to achieve her goals by studying and being focused. She has a visual learning style. She is a hardworking student who trying to achieve college credits during high school. I enjoyed listening to her experiences and learned some new studying methods from her. I hope she goes as far as she wants.

 

Citations:

Azriel Melvin, Pair review transcript, January 2023.

“College Is Creating Poverty: Sara Goldrick-Rab: TEDx Philadelphia.” YouTube, 1 July 2019, https://youtu.be/dSqW43aTuRM.

“How to Get the Most out of Studying: Part 1 of 5, ‘Beliefs That Make You Fail… or Succeed.’” YouTube, 16 Aug. 2011, https://youtu.be/RH95h36NChI.

What is college like

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Students bounce back and forth to class, dining hall, dorm, meetings, library, sports, etc. all day long. They may get up early and stay up late to get it all done. It takes some getting used to, but busy as they are, most college students come to appreciate the freedom they have to manage their own time.