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rbogue's review against another edition
Inflection points matter. They’re the one time when a left turn really matters from a right turn. Paul Tough’s thesis is that “mobility in the United States today depends in large part on what happens to individuals during a relatively period in late adolescence and early adulthood.” More specifically, he believes the college we go to can make a life-altering difference to our social mobility. It’s a position he lays out in The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us.
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gonzorama's review against another edition
5.0
Urgent and necessary. I hope college-bound (or college-hopeful) kids from all backgrounds read this one.
bootman's review against another edition
5.0
This is hands down the best book I’ve read about the issues of inequality when it comes to higher education. I hate how good this book is because it points out what we all know is true but often refuse to talk about. Paul Tough has done years of research for this book by collecting data and actually interviewing low-income kids who are being left behind by the way higher education is set up.
This book covers so many topics about how low-achieving, high-income kids are much more likely to get into good schools and succeed compared to high-achieving, low-income kids. As you listen to some of the stories of these low-income kids who work their asses off, your heart will break for them as you learn how they’re fighting this losing battle despite being told they can just “work hard” to get out of their situation.
I don’t even have time to discuss everything in this book, but I’ll end with saying that Paul Tough does an excellent job explaining how colleges fudge their numbers to make it appear like they’re diverse with their admissions. There are many systemic issues perpetuating these issues, and I don’t know when or if they’ll ever get fixed. But this book does a great job explaining how the Obama administration was close to resolving this issue and then just kind of abandoned it for no good reason.
This book covers so many topics about how low-achieving, high-income kids are much more likely to get into good schools and succeed compared to high-achieving, low-income kids. As you listen to some of the stories of these low-income kids who work their asses off, your heart will break for them as you learn how they’re fighting this losing battle despite being told they can just “work hard” to get out of their situation.
I don’t even have time to discuss everything in this book, but I’ll end with saying that Paul Tough does an excellent job explaining how colleges fudge their numbers to make it appear like they’re diverse with their admissions. There are many systemic issues perpetuating these issues, and I don’t know when or if they’ll ever get fixed. But this book does a great job explaining how the Obama administration was close to resolving this issue and then just kind of abandoned it for no good reason.
danacoledares's review against another edition
3.0
It focused a LOT more on the admissions process and way less on the experience of college itself than I would have liked. Well-supported with both statistical data and anecdotes.
jay_gp's review against another edition
4.0
An explanation of the college system in the USA. I'm so glad I wasn't born there...
danireneewood's review against another edition
5.0
I've been working on my Bachelors of Science in Sociology for eight years. Let that sink in - by the time I finally graduate in 2020, I'll have spent eight years on a four-year degree.
Perhaps it's my own personal bias to myself, but I don't believe myself to be a moron. I'm definitely not incapable of taking college courses. In fact, if you look at my core Sociology degree classes, you'll find a 4.0 average, something I'm quite proud of.
When social scientists, educators, administrators, and other interested parties examine graduation rates, they don't see students like me - someone who has off an on worked on a degree while working full-time. Instead, they focus on the number of students completing their degrees in four years, and at the most, six. This book does good work of reminding us that students aren't numbers, they aren't faceless applications, and that ultimately, education remains a premium good to be bought and sold at high prices.
I'm extremely thankful to have a job that pays for me to improve myself and go to school, but there are so many people out there who could benefit from education that don't face the same reality I do, who don't know how to apply for financial aid, who don't know that they are a lot smarter than standardized testing would have them believe. This book makes higher education personal again by sharing stories of individuals from all backgrounds, the educators who believed in them, and the universities and programs who are working for a more educated future.
Perhaps it's my own personal bias to myself, but I don't believe myself to be a moron. I'm definitely not incapable of taking college courses. In fact, if you look at my core Sociology degree classes, you'll find a 4.0 average, something I'm quite proud of.
When social scientists, educators, administrators, and other interested parties examine graduation rates, they don't see students like me - someone who has off an on worked on a degree while working full-time. Instead, they focus on the number of students completing their degrees in four years, and at the most, six. This book does good work of reminding us that students aren't numbers, they aren't faceless applications, and that ultimately, education remains a premium good to be bought and sold at high prices.
I'm extremely thankful to have a job that pays for me to improve myself and go to school, but there are so many people out there who could benefit from education that don't face the same reality I do, who don't know how to apply for financial aid, who don't know that they are a lot smarter than standardized testing would have them believe. This book makes higher education personal again by sharing stories of individuals from all backgrounds, the educators who believed in them, and the universities and programs who are working for a more educated future.
minhtgreen's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite nonfiction reads so far. As someone who’s been trying to get into the genre, I notice that this book is able to circumvent many of the pitfalls that most books in this category do—it avoids obscure messages about how things should be, it tries not to be overly redundant. I loved the empathy that Tough approached his participants with; I didn’t expect to connect with Ivonne and Treisman’s chapter as much as I had, and I greatly appreciated the nuance that these anecdotes provided the book. It’s one of those things where you go, “duh, of course college is fucked up,” but this book will take you through the ways that this fucked up-ness is perpetuated. Highly recommend for anyone who’s been wanting to get into nonfiction but can’t get past the dense texts that dominate this genre.
ckjesq's review against another edition
5.0
Simply stated - a must read - what do we want as a society - uri treissman vs Mitch Daniels - an avoidable failure - in and of itself says it all - do we dare challenge or do we simply accept defeat - GI bill and the greatest generation - support for those who do not have systemic wealth And privilege - all takeaways from this great book