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What Limits College Success? A Review and Further Analysis of Holzer and Baum's Making College Work

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  • Philip Oreopoulos

Abstract

Harry J. Holzer and Sandy Baum's recent book, Making College Work: Pathways to Success for Disadvantaged Students, provides an excellent up-to-date review of higher education. My review first summarizes its key themes: (i) who gains from college and why, (ii) mismatch and the need for more structure, (iii) problems with remediation, (iv) financial barriers, and (v) the promise of comprehensive support. I then critique the book's proposed solutions using some of my own qualitative and quantitative data. Some recommendations are worth considering, while others are too expensive or unlikely to make a meaningful difference without addressing the underlying lack of preparedness and motivation of college students. I argue that making mandatory some existing services, such as application assistance and advice, proactive tutoring and advising, and greater career transition support, has the most immediate potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip Oreopoulos, 2021. "What Limits College Success? A Review and Further Analysis of Holzer and Baum's Making College Work," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 59(2), pages 546-573, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jeclit:v:59:y:2021:i:2:p:546-73
    DOI: 10.1257/jel.20191614
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    Cited by:

    1. Aucejo, Esteban M. & Wong, Kelvin, 2025. "The effect of feedback on student performance," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    2. Raphael Brade & Oliver Himmler & Robert Jaeckle & Philipp Weinschenk, 2024. "Helping Students to Succeed – The Long-Term Effects of Soft Commitments and Reminders," CESifo Working Paper Series 11001, CESifo.
    3. Raphael Brade, 2024. "Social Information and Educational Investment—Nudging Remedial Math Course Participation," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 19(1), pages 106-142, Winter.
    4. Georg Graetz, 2023. "Imperfect Signals," CESifo Working Paper Series 10403, CESifo.
    5. Ibsen, Kristoffer & Rosholm, Michael, 2024. "What Works? Interventions Aimed At Reducing Student Dropout in Higher Education," IZA Discussion Papers 16853, IZA Network @ LISER.
    6. Hyman, Joshua & McFarlin, Isaac, 2024. "College consumption amenities, academic performance, and donation behavior: Evidence from big-time college sports attendance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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