Parenting Pointers: Bridging the Gap

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own. 

In this increasingly technological world, more jobs require applicants to have diverse skill sets that are not available solely with a high school diploma. According to the Pew Research Center, college graduates ages 25 to 32 who work full-time earn $17,500 more per year than their counterparts with just a high school diploma. Therefore, access to college advice is critically important for students as they prepare for college.

 

Education expert Chelsea L. Dixon, M.S., M.A.T. is the author of the new book, Bridging the Gap: A Simple Guide to College. Dixon, CEO and Founder of GamePhox Unlimited, LLC, a company dedicated to enriching the educational and life experiences of underserved and underrepresented minority youth, has written one of the only college application guides designed with the underrepresented and first generation students in mind.

 

Bridging the Gap serves as a primer and a simplified college planning guide that takes out the overwhelming process of applying to college by offering resources and breaking it down into manageable steps. This easy-to-read, informational book takes a grassroots approach to providing readers with a broad overview of the academic and athletic college planning and preparation process for anyone needing basic, fundamental guidance to understanding the steps it takes to get to college. For those who believe college is out of their financial reach, or are confused and intimidated on where to begin, Dixon cuts through the uncertainty of this life-altering process.

 

In Bridging the Gap, Dixon covers topics including: 

• Understanding the complex financial aid system
• The application, admissions, and selection process
• Standardized tests, self-preparation and cultivating essential life skills
• Helpful websites and other college application resources
• Vital information for student-athletes
• A checklist process for preparing for college, beginning in middle school

The book is short. It's very concise and clear, but still manages to incorporate a wealth of data. I had a chance to interview the author to learn more.

Why did you write this book? - I wrote this book as encouragement and support for those who are unfamiliar with the college planning process, especially first generation and underrepresented students and student-athletes.

You do an excellent job packaging so much in such a short book. Were you ever worried you'd leave something important out? - No because the goal of this book is to provide a basic, fundamental starting point to understanding the college planning process overall, and not a step-by-step manual to understanding each and every facet of the process.

Why should people take a look at higher education, even if they don't think they can afford it or have what it takes? - Studies have shown that college graduates have greater earning potential and more opportunities to achieve financial success than those with a high school diploma alone.  There are various academic, athletic and financial aid options that exist and are available to help pay for college.

Chelsea L. Dixon, M.S., M.A.T. is Founder and CEO of GamePhox Unlimited, LLC, a company whose services include academic and athletic programming for underserved and underrepresented youth in urban communities. She is a former high school and Division 1 student-athlete, coach and administrator with nearly 30 years of experience in academics and athletics. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Boston College, a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education from Trenton State College (renamed The College of New Jersey), and a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

 

Learn more about Dixon and Bridging the Gap at www.gamephox.com and www.bridgingthecollegegap.com

 

Bridging the Gap is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and

www.bridgingthecollegegap.com.