School Counselors as Social Capital: The Effects of High School College Counseling on College Application Rates

Abstract

Using social capital theory as a framework, the authors examined data from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (Ingels, Pratt, Rogers, Siegel, & Stutts, 2004) to investigate how student contact with high school counselors about college information and other college‐related variables influence students' college application rates. In addition to some college‐related variables, the number of school counselors and student contacts were significant predictors of college application rates. Implications for school counselors and counselor training are included.

Needs Assessment: Identifying and Addressing High School Counselors’ Perceptions of Construction Management

“…High schools play a dominant role in shaping students' educational goals and thus are a primary source of social capital (Bryan et al, 2011). In particular, counselors are tasked with helping high school students make informed decisions about their choice of college major and ensuing career.…”

“…These influences can be viewed on a micro-level in terms of personal relationships between the student and family members, teachers, and counselors. They can also be viewed on a macro-level in terms of a student's involvement in social networks or institutions like churches, schools, and community organizations (Bryan, Moore-Thomas, Day-Vines, & Holcomb-McCoy, 2011). Additional factors may include economic climate (National Association for College Admission, 2009), cultural upbringing (Schaeffer, Akos, & Barrow, 2010), and personal knowledge of university programs.…”

“…Counselors are in a unique position to shape the lives of high school students as they make decisions that will affect them for many years to come (Lapan & Harrington, 2010). Recent studies indicate that increased contact between counselors and students results in higher college application rates (Bryan et al, 2011). However, counselors' responsibilities extend beyond getting students to apply to college; they are also tasked with helping students make informed decisions when choosing their college major and ensuing career (Landis, 1999).…”

“…Parents have the highest level of influence on students; however, high school guidance counselors have the potential to impart a high level of extra familial influence (Bryan et al, 2011). Counselors are in a unique position to shape the lives of high school students as they make decisions that will affect them for many years to come (Lapan & Harrington, 2010).…”

College and Career Readiness Counseling Support Scales

“…For example, using a national database, Bryan, Moore-Thomas, Day-Vines, and Holcomb-McCoy (2011) demonstrated how counselors play a key role in successfully promoting college access for low-income students (especially if the work with counselors started early in the high school years). These malleable factors can be positively affected by the work of counselors in K-12 schools.…”