Lesson: Debunking College Myths
1. Key points/goals of the lesson
● Students will discuss myths commonly held about college, and decide whether they agree or disagree with each.
2. Background or important vocabulary
●“Common” knowledge about colleges
3. Materials
●10-12 college sort slips, in an envelope (1 per group)
4. Instructions for implementing the activity
●Break students into groups of 3 – 4
●Choose 10-12 of the statements to use. Cut them into separate strips of paper, with one statement on each slip.
●Groups will go through the statements and sort them into piles – the ones they think are the MOST true, the ones they think are the LEAST true, and the ones that don’t go into either group. The students should be discussing which group to put each statement in and come to an agreement.
●Have each group write up on poster paper which statements they chose.
5. Suggestions for debriefing the activity
●Use these lists as the basis of a whole group discussion about their beliefs about college. Because you are cutting the statements from a big list, some of the statements may have been repeated from earlier grades. Ask them if they still feel the same way about the repeated topics, or if they have changed their minds.
You have to go to college in order to get a good job.
Most of the people who start college don’t finish.
It’s better to start college and not finish than not start at all.
Not as many minority students finish college as white students.
It doesn’t matter where you go to college, as long as you have a degree.
All people have the same opportunity to go to college.
The high school you go to influences whether or not you go to college.
It’s easier to go to college if your parents have gone.
Getting into a good college is about how much money you have, not how smart you are.
You have to know what you want to study in college before you go.
Most Americans today go to college.
Students who are undocumented immigrants cannot receive financial aid or
scholarships for college.
College is about studying the kinds of things you studied in high school, but harder.
There’s plenty of scholarship money for people whose families can’t pay for college.
The most important thing for getting into college is your grades.
It’s better to go to a two-year college and come out with a career.
Most people work while they’re in college.
Most students who go to college live on a college campus.
Students in private and suburban schools have better college advising programs than students in New York City public schools.
Affirmative action (which gives an advantage in admissions to students coming from race/ethnic backgrounds historically underrepresented in college) is fair.
Students whose parents attended the college they are applying to should be given an advantage in the admissions process.
Joining the military is a good way to get your college education paid for.
Students who are undocumented immigrants cannot attend college in the United States.
Most students take out loans to pay for college.
If you’re not sure what you want to study, it’s better to start at a two-year college and then transfer.
Four-year colleges are better schools that give you a better education.
The most important thing to get out of college is a social network that will help you find a job afterwards.
The most important thing to get out of college is career training.