K - 12 Experience We engage in a comprehensive, systematic examination of the choices and experiences of African American and Latino K-12 students and high school graduates related to college preparation, actual college attendance, retention and graduation. Our research seeks to better understand factors that affect educational preparation of Black and Latino youth, factors that affect the CHOICES these students make about continuing their education beyond high school and collegiate experiences that influence college completion. Given that California seeks lessons and strategies for attracting, retaining and graduating African American and Latino students, particular attention will be paid to high school graduates who choose to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Service Institutions. Transition to College We also wish to understand how and why African Americans and Latinos continue to be underrepresented in higher education in California and the U.S. This study explores the relative impact of high school experiences on students’ perceptions of the postsecondary opportunities. Based on this information, we plan to outline specific policies and strategies that will help to improve the situation. We take a holistic approach to examine the multiple factors that shape African American and Latino students' college opportunities by investigating the role of families, peers, communities, high schools, as well as college recruiting practices. However, in a larger sense, this study is concerned with the stubborn persistence of racial inequality in higher education nationally. Undergraduate Experience We also examine the experiences and achievement of African American and Latino college students in California at a time when affirmative action is being dismantled in our nation's most diverse state. The underrepresentation of African Americans and Latinos in higher education has been a stubborn problem not only for California but for the nation as a whole. Affirmative action was implemented as one way to address this problem, and to open higher education choices, although the success of these programs has varied and is debated. The question before us now is, how will Blacks and Latinos fare in higher education without the checks and balances of affirmative action? With a greater proportion of California's population being composed of groups that have not historically have not given equal opportunity to participate or succeed in postsecondary education, it is imperative to identify individual, family, group and institutional characteristics and experiences associated with student persistence and academic achievement at the collegiate level. Graduate/Professional and Career Experience Finally, we will take up questions about African American and Latino involvement in graduate and professional education. Previous research illustrates patterns of under representation in advanced degree opportunities for African Americans and Latinos. Awareness of these disparities is the first step toward bringing about change in minority student participation. We aim to understand how better to provide and facilitate access to college and university teaching, medicine, law and other professions where graduate study is a prerequisite. However, understanding why these disparities occur and their impact on students may help to implement strategies for increased admission and retention and degree attainment of African American and Latino students in graduate and professional education.