Survey shows personality traits, not income, key to college success - Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

A new study from the Vibeffect casts new light on the motivations of low-income students as a primary factor in their college success. The results, officials say, challenge traditional notions about the importance of secondary preparation or familiarity with course content as predictors for completion. High achieving students from more than 5,000 households making $35,000 or less, or $150,000 or more, similarly suggested positive attitudes around personal finance, seeking out help when needed, and self-confidence are primary factors in students' ability to thrive in college. The sharp difference between the two groups was previous exposure to college. A majority of low-income students (57%) are first-generation students who typically do not engage in campus visits for the schools they attend, compared with 81% of high-income students whose parents are college-educated and have taken a campus visit. http://www.educationdive.com/news/survey-shows-personality-traits-not-income-key-to-college-success/429167/