SOFIA

Summer melt is a phenomenon in which 12th grade students graduate high school and are accepted to college but do not end up attending in the Fall semester.

Nationally, this can impact up to 40% of students.

Students who experience a college-going culture in their high school are surrounded by supports, reminders, and peers with a shared mindset.

But they can still lose their way after graduation

This can shift (especially for low income students) once they graduate and are at home for the summer.

Here are some considerations for preventing summer melt:

First, before the summer, creating an on-ramp for students by communicating that there are support systems during the summer time

Next is developing the infrastructure with your school site and administrator to see what is possible. Is there a budget for this? Can an advisor be available to give support during summer?

Then it is time to plan your school’s intervention. 

Level 1 would be to share a college transition checklist with all students that lays out the enrollment steps.

Level 2 is launching a texting campaign that offers scheduled, automated text messages to students as well as personalized support from a summer advisor.

Level 3 entails setting up personalized meetings for students to receive individual support.

Students who enroll full-time during their first semester are two times more likely to graduate from college within six years. Therefore, the goal of all of these supports is to ensure students enroll full-time at their intended college.