A college focused mentoring programme for students in socio-economically disadvantaged schools: the impact of mentoring relationship and frequency on college-going confidence, application efficacy and aspirations

This study examined the effect college focused mentoring has on the confidence to succeed in college, the college application efficacy and the collegegoing aspirations of low-income students. The impact of mentor relationship quality and number of mentor sessions on the same outcomes was examined. Results (n=728) revealed a significant increase in students' confidence to succeed in college and college application efficacy from before to after the mentoring programme. Quality of mentoring relationship and the number of mentoring sessions predicted confidence to succeed in college, college application efficacy and college-going aspirations. Thematic analysis revealed that the mentoring relationship was improved when the mentor was from a similar background as the mentee and was open and fun. Inconsistent attendance at sessions had a negative impact on mentees' perception of the relationship. Findings suggest that college-focused mentoring positively impacts low-income students' confidence to succeed in college and their college application efficacy.