Integrated public schools, aggressive college recruiting and fewer stereotypes about foreigners may help immigrants and their children excel in school and go on to higher education, says Patricia Gandara, a UC Davis education professor. In a recent study of Mexican Americans who became doctors or lawyers or attained a Ph.D. (68 percent of whom were immigrants or children of immigrants), Gandara found that a challenging educational environment and contact with a high-achieving peer group were critical for staying on the right academic track. In addition, family support for educational goals, family stories of successful ancestors, and strong personal motivation also figured in academic achievement, says Gandara. Those studied also had extensive exposure to middle-class white students, providing an opportunity to adapt to different cultures and situations. Minority recruitment and financial aid were also critical to the continued education of those in the study, Gandara says.