Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Introduction: “Trying to Do School” 1
4. 1. Paths Diverged: Student Outcomes by College Generational Status 9
5. 2. Being a Transitional Generation and Navigating Schools 26
6. 3. Middle and High School Transitions and Experiences on the Path to College 48
7. 4. College Transitions: Five Paths Post–High School 73
8. 5. Smoothing Pathways from Middle School to College 96
9. 6. The Journey Before Us: First-Generation College Students and College Completion 127
10. Appendix: Methodology and Researcher Positionality 141
11. Acknowledgments 147
12. Notes 149
13. References 153
14. Index 167
15. About the Author 179