From Selectivity to Success: Latinos at Selective Institutions

Overview

The most selective institutions of higher education are recognized by their competitive admissions, low admittance rates, high cost to attend, and the prestige garnered from achievements of their alumni. Hispanics’ graduation rates at the most selective institutions of higher education are higher than at less selective institutions. Yet, only 12 percent of Latinos are enrolled at these institutions. At a time when more attention is given to the benefits of attending a selective institution and these institutions look to increase the diversity of their student body, it is critical to look at how they contribute to Latino student success.

From Selectivity to Success: Latinos at Selective Institutions examines the profile of Latino students at the most selective institutions and reviews the institutional efforts at four universities in California to frame a better understanding of factors that might explicitly and intentionally support Latino student success. The research and analysis for this brief were supported by the Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation.