When I was a high school senior, I applied to exactly one college. Got a scholarship, sent in my enrollment papers, and graduated four years later.
It's much harder today. And while most parents do not do a Lori Loughlin end-run around the admissions process, plenty of anxious middle-class families are hiring admissions advisers to help their students navigate the whole process.
But what if you were a student who would be the first ever in your family to attend college? You're likely to face many additional hurdles - not the least of which is a lack of "college knowledge." Nationwide, potential first-generation students are less likely to apply to, attend, or graduate from college.
Today in the Richmond Times/Dispatch I take a look at this issue and suggest some ways all of us can help.