Characteristics and Counseling Needs of Prospective First-Generation College Students: Implications for School Counseling

Abstract

This study examined the personal characteristics and counseling needs of high school seniors who were strongly committed to attending a 4-year university. The results of this comparison study revealed that prospective first-generation college students reported lower perceived academic ability and a higher need for counseling in academic planning and career preparation than prospective continuing-generation college students. Subsequent analysis for the first-generation group by race revealed significant group differences in the perceptions and needs of school counseling.