The ultimate guide to help Black families navigate the college admissions process.
Finding the right college is a challenge for all students. But Black families face additional challenges and questions while navigating the admissions process. In The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions, veteran admissions experts Timothy L. Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown share provocative insights and demystify this complex process to answer important questions from where to apply to how to get in.
Fields and Herndon-Brown discuss specific concerns for Black families that are not often addressed by school counselors or other resources. They highlight how the current social justice movement amplifies the distinct dynamics that exist between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and predominantly white institutions and which college choices may be best for Black students. Fields and Herndon-Brown pull from decades of experience to offer the savvy advice that Black families need. Having worked on both sides of the desk—as school counselors and as college admissions gatekeepers—they are well equipped to give parents, students, and school counselors the information and inspiration to successfully research and navigate the admission journey.
The higher education landscape is constantly evolving, and admissions criteria have evolved with it. Fields and Herndon-Brown cover everything from athletic recruitment and artistic talents to financial aid and step-by-step instructions for how to get through the college search and application processes. A list of the best colleges for Black students, a glossary of terms, a list of notable Black college graduates, a suggested reading list, and an FAQ section round out the guide. The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions is the definitive resource to begin the complex conversation of understanding the choices that Black families face as they go through the college admissions process at the intersection of education, parenting, and race.
Preface Introduction Part I. Context 1. Black Parents: The Choices We Make Now Matter Later 2. Shift in Power: The Resurgence of HBCU Culture 3. The Power 3 (The Black Ivies) 4. What Is a Liberal Arts Education, and Is It Worth It? 5. What's Best for Your Child? HBCUs versus PWIs Part II. X Factors 6. What Questions Should You Be Asking in Your Family? 7. Perception versus Reality 8. Gender Wars: How Black Males and Black Females Are Assessed in College Admissions 9. Sports, Arts, and Special Talents 10. Show Me the Money Part III. Process 11. Expectation for Success Timeline 12. The Process: What Are Colleges Looking For? Acknowledgments In Our Opinion Appendix A. Best Colleges for Black Students Appendix B. Frequently Asked Questions Appendix C. Notable Black College Graduates Mentioned in the Book Suggested Reading Glossary Index
Timothy L. Fields (ATLANTA, GA) is a graduate of Morehouse College and the senior associate dean of undergraduate admissions at Emory University. Shereem Herndon-Brown (WASHINGTON, DC) is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the founder and chief education officer of Strategic Admissions Advice, an educational consulting company specializing in the creation of college counseling curriculum for charter schools and school districts, online essay courses, and personalized college advice coaching. The authors encourage you to join the conversation about education, parenting, and race at www.understandingthechoices.com.
Reviews for The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions: A Conversation about Education, Parenting, and Race
Focusing on the what, the why, and the how of college selection for Black students and their families, the authors provide advice from both the high school and college admissions perspective of the process. This exceptional book addresses issues of race as they intersect with the choice of Historically Black Colleges and Universities or predominantly white institutions and explains the selective college admissions process for high-achieving students of color. —School Library Journal A resource shining a light on everything from the current social justice movement and the cultural and educational credibility of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to financial aid and athletic recruitment. This book is also for school counselors and educators who are seeking more insight with the goal of amplifying diversity, equity, and inclusivity. —Black Enterprise This book provides great insight to readers into the application process for Black families. Fields and Herndon-Brown strive to address concerns often neglected by school counselors and college application resources. —BestColleges.com As students are applying to more colleges and universities than ever before, this book by Fieldsand Herndon-Brown is timely and needed.Highly recommended for any parent or student who is navigating the college admissions process, especially Black students and first-generation students. —Library Journal (starred review)