How do you know which college is right for you? And what should you do during college to make the most of your time there? In Doing College Right, dean of undergraduate studies Joe O’Shea helps readers to both choose a college and make key decisions throughout their higher education journey. O’Shea harnesses the latest research on how students develop and showcases award-winning programs from across the United States that are making a difference in the lives of students. Doing College Right is filled with helpful case examples, practical rubrics, and guiding questions to help readers evaluate colleges based on key dimensions of student success, both before and during college. This guide is important reading for prospective students and their families, as well as college admissions staff and high school counselors.

Table of Contents:
Contents Acknowledgments xi Introduction: Getting In Is Not Enough 1 The Changing College Landscape 3 How to Use This Book 6 The Book’s Structure 7 PART I: PRIORITIZING STUDENT SUCCESS 9 1.  Changing Expectations: The Student Success Movement 11 What Is Student Success? 12 What Should Define Student Success? 15 Making Sure a College Prioritizes Student Success 16 2.  Seeing Beyond the Rankings 21 What Are the Different Kinds of Colleges? 21 Understanding Rankings 25 Connecting Rankings to Graduation Rates 26 Examining Graduation Rates and More 27 Acceptance Rates, Selectivity, and Outcomes 29 Criticism of Rankings 30 Finding Data in the College Search 32 PART II: EXCELLING ACADEMICALLY 37 3.  The Curriculum: What Happens in the Classroom Matters 39 Developing a Learning Perspective 40 What Is a Good Course? 41 Components of a Course: Tests, Group Projects, and More 47 How Many Classes Should You Take? 49 Are There Enough Courses? 51 Is Class Size Important? 52 Guided Pathways: Structure and Guidance Matters 54 General Education Courses 56 Capstone Courses and Senior Projects 56 What About Online Courses? 57 Academic Offerings and Major Selection 59 Double Majors and Combined Bachelor’s + Master’s Programs 62 What About Undecided Majors? 64 Limited Access and Restricted Majors 64 Changing Majors 65 Earning College Credit in High School 66 What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 67 4.  Staying on Track: Academic and Student Support 69 Advising and Mentoring 72 Forms of Advising and Mentoring 74 Support for Underrepresented and Underserved Students 77 Support During Emergency, Non-Academic Life Events 79 Parental and Family Support and Engagement 80 Student Engagement with Faculty 83 Academic Support: Libraries, Tutoring, and Study Skills 85 Support During the First Year: Orientation, Onboarding, and Transitions 86 What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 88 PART III: DEVELOPING FULLY 91 5.  Beyond the Classroom: Applied and Experiential Learning 93 Work-Based Learning: Internships and Co-ops 96 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity 98 Service Learning 101 Study Abroad 102 Assessing a College’s Applied and Experiential Learning 105 What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 106 6.  Does It Matter Who Your Friends Are? Engagement and Leadership Development 108 Culture and Fit 111 Sense of Belonging and Imposter Syndrome 112 Learning Communities: Making College Feel Smaller 114 Honors Programs 115 Residential Life 116 Roommates 118 Student Clubs 119 Volunteering and Community Engagement 120 Fraternities and Sororities 122 Student Government 123 What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 124 7.  Mental Health, Safety, and Wellness 126 College Students’ Mental Health 127 Preventative Practices in Mental Health 129 Case Management 130 Family, Guardians, and Student Well-Being 131 Safety and Policing 132 Food and Dining 134 Campus Healthcare 136 Recreation and Personal Fitness 136 Spiritual Wellness 137 What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 138 PART IV: FUNDING AND LAUNCHING FROM COLLEGE 141 8.  Money Matters: Costs and Financial Aid 143 Understanding the Costs of College 144 Return on Investment in Higher Education 147 What Is Financial Aid? 148 What Are the Different Forms of Financial Aid? 149 How Is Aid Presented by the College? 153 Should You Take Loans? 154 Working During College 155 Factoring in Graduate School 157 Colleges’ Resources for Student Financial Wellness 158 What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare 159 9.  Success After College: Employment, Further Education, and Beyond 161 How to Approach and Evaluate Colleges’ Career Services 162 Matching Qualifications to Postgraduation Outcomes 165 What Do Employers Look for in Students? 167 Civic Development: Making Contributions After College 168 Concluding Thoughts 170 Brief Glossary of Student Success Terms 171 References 177 Index 191 About the Author 204