(ThyBlackMan.com) A recent report shows that African Americans face yet another systematic disadvantage when it comes to the job market. This report, written up by the Young Invincible advocacy group suggests that in order for African American millennial men to have the same job prospects of the white Americans, they need 2 or more levels of education. Employment rate after college graduation for white men is at a 97.6 percent rate whereas it’s only a 92.8 percent employment rate for black men.
With these statistics, it doesn’t come as a surprise that only 18 percent of African Americans who are at least 25 years old or older actually earn their bachelor’s degree. Sure you can get help with essay writing to help you achieve certain goals, but to some, college must seem like an unattainable goal. Fortunately, it doesn’t need to be like this. In today’s times, it is important that African Americans choose colleges that sincerely show they will offer their students with ample support and opportunities they need to succeed.
Tips for African Americans to Achieve their College Goals
All colleges should be screened by African American high school students based on each individual school’s information on the 
inclusion and success of African Americans as well as professional and personal advice from professors, students and alumni. Arrange a visit to the campus if you can. Things to look for include:
- Inclusiveness – Will you be comfortable there?
A raise for concern would be if you notice a lack of African American students at the college. This, however, should not be a total deal-breaker, since nobody is truly defined by race, says Trone Howard, UCLA’s associate dean for equity and inclusion. Therefore, if you are taking a school with scant diversity in consideration, or if you are interested in a school but there has been some incidents of racism, it’s important to talk with the professors and other African American students about their experiences. Were there any complaints about protests and discrimination? Find out how the staff and students responded.
- Support and Quality – How successful will you be academically at the school?
Instead of looking at the overall graduation rates of the college, take a look at its success rate of graduating African Americans. It’s been said that institutions that graduate the most black students are implementing different strategies so ask professors and students about what it is exactly that the college does that ensures academic success such as summer programs, tutoring or extra advising.
- Affordability – How much will your part be?
The published ‘sticker price’ of college tuition is not what you should be looking at since over half of the college students ride on scholarships and Pell grants. This allows them to pay a ‘net’ price that’s lower and is required by law to offer a ‘net price calculator’ so you can estimate your net price and financial aid package for your freshman year.
The first place you should be looking when you are seeking assistance is to fill out a Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA). This will decide your eligibility of receiving a pell grant.
Staff Writer; George Stewart
