Making College Work: Pathways to Success for Disadvantaged Students

Making College Work examines the challenges facing disadvantaged students in accessing and completing higher education. The book draws on research and data to analyze barriers including financial constraints, academic preparation gaps, and institutional obstacles. Sara Goldrick-Rab presents solutions and policy recommendations based on evidence from multiple studies and programs across the United States. The analysis covers topics like financial aid reform, student support services, and changes to remedial education. The text integrates student narratives and experiences with hard data and policy analysis. Statistical findings and institutional case studies demonstrate both successful and failed approaches to supporting disadvantaged students. The book contributes to current debates about higher education access, economic mobility, and social inequality in America. Its research-driven approach offers a framework for understanding how colleges can better serve students who face systemic barriers to success.

Readers appreciate the book's data-driven approach to analyzing barriers faced by low-income college students. Reviews highlight the concrete policy recommendations and the inclusion of real student stories that illustrate systemic problems. Positive comments focus on: - Clear explanation of financial aid complexities - Practical solutions for student retention - Research-backed evidence throughout - Balance of statistics and personal narratives Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Some solutions seem politically unfeasible - Limited focus on community colleges - Could use more student perspectives Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (58 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 reviews) Multiple reviewers note the book works well as a resource for higher education professionals but may be too technical for general readers. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "The data is comprehensive but the writing can be dry at times." A Goodreads user praised the "thorough examination of institutional barriers" while suggesting more emphasis on successful intervention programs.

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🎓 Sara Goldrick-Rab established the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, which has helped over 500 colleges conduct basic needs assessments for their students. 📚 The book draws from six years of research following 3,000 students who entered public colleges and universities in Wisconsin in 2008. 💡 Research cited in the book shows that more than half of community college students experience food or housing insecurity while pursuing their education. 🏫 The author's work has directly influenced policy changes in multiple states, leading to expanded financial aid programs and emergency grant funding for struggling students. 📊 The studies detailed in the book reveal that nearly 40% of all college students who start at four-year universities don't graduate within six years, with rates being significantly worse for low-income and first-generation students.