ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study that explores two different perspectives. The first is that of a first-generation college student as she makes her college selection and transitions to life at college. The other perspective is that of a young professional in retention services who struggles in her attempt to help students transition to life in college. Applewood High School draws students from the town and the surrounding rural area, graduating about 100 students per year. Julie Scott, who spent her entire life in Applewood, loves her small hometown experience. At home, Julie has the support of her parents. Julie is the older of two children, and this will be the first experience Tim and Sue have with the college application process. Monroe University (MU) is a large, urban research institution with approximately 18,000 undergraduate students. The university is spread throughout a large and thriving downtown area.
