The annual report surveyed 9,600 middle and high school students in the spring of 2022, exploring how students are making postsecondary planning decisions and what they need from school communities to be successful in reaching their goals. The survey found most high school seniors (77%) plan to attend college. However, as a result of the shifts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, recent and soon-to-be graduates engaged with college planning activities much later than their predecessors. This, along with a fluctuating economy and the student debt crisis, has caused greater uncertainty for students in their postsecondary plans as they navigate a challenging landscape. Increasing uncertainty is also driving fewer students to apply via binding early decision applications.
Seniors who were not planning to attend college (23%) were also facing uncertainty. Almost one third (32%) of students not planning to attend college reported being undecided about postsecondary plans. When asked what resources or tools would help them with their planning, almost half reported 'access to job shadows or career fairs' and an additional quarter requested 'more tools to research colleges and careers, visiting a college campus, and meeting with my counselor more.'
'Over the past two years, we have seen an acceleration in the diversification of postsecondary options and increasing uncertainty among students and families regarding how they connect academic and lifelong success,' said
Plans for First-Generation College Students
For the first time, questions included in the survey focused on postsecondary plans between high school seniors that identify as first-generation (those who reported that their parents had not completed college) with seniors who are not the first in their family to attend college. Key comparisons include:
First-generation students were less likely to enroll in a four-year college (43% compared to non-first-generation at 72%) and more likely to enroll in a two-year college (25% compared to 14%).
First-generation students were more likely to be undecided or planned to start work after high school (10% compared to 4% for both).
First-generation students were more likely to report enrolling in a trade school (9% compared to 4%).
Without a college degree earner in their household, first-generation college students can benefit from additional advice and support provided by their schools or other resources, including Naviance, which helps fill information gaps if they choose a higher education path. Features such as SuperMatch, give students a college search tool that makes it easier for them to discover colleges and universities that are a match for their needs. Naviance also includes self-paced lessons for students in grades 6-12 to take within the platform, with an emphasis on understanding financial aid and how to pay for college.
Unified Classroom Naviance CCLR offers a variety of career exploration tools including work-based learning, where students can access real-world career learning experiences, such as internships, job shadows, career fairs, externships, and apprenticeships. Additionally, students have access to Career
More information, additional results, and insights about the 2022
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