The real world of college: what higher education is and what it can be

Introduction

Part 1. What We Did, Why We Did It, and How We Did It. The "what" question : A campus visit

The "why" question : Background and context for our study

The "how question" : Our methods

Part 2. The Individual Learner. Higher education capital : What college should achieve

Mental models of the college experience : Learnings, earnings, and yearnings

Part 3. The Campus Culture. A pervasive finding : Mental health issues

On belonging and alienation

Part 4. What's to be Done. Stepping back and looking ahead : From is to ought

Feedback to colleges

Messages to Various Constituencies

Epilogue : The authors reflect.