ABSTRACT
In the course of a GEAR UP or Upward Bound program, students can really become sharp customers. Even as high school students, they figured out that no college could possibly be so great at so many different things. While not helping to make them cynical, having discussions about the marketing messages of colleges, and how these align with reality, can help students begin to narrow their choices. When groups come to our campus, student makes it a point to talk about such concepts as grit and growth mindset with them. They need to be able to see themselves as successful future college students in order to make it to campus. They need to be able to work hard, even when they are frustrated, if they are going to earn the test scores and grades they will need to go where they want for education or for a career.
