Refocusing College Choice: Women’s Reflections on Their Postsecondary Education Choices

College Choice: Considerations for Academically Advanced High School Seniors

“…While only two of the participants in the sample are from low socioeconomic resource households, these results indicate that most of these students are concerned about the financial burdens of college. The cost of college is a concern cited in prior literature (Bergerson et al, 2013;Burleson, 2010;Giancola & Kahlenberg, 2016;Han, 2014;Singell & Tang, 2012;Wilson & Adelson, 2012), but students in this sample did not translate that concern into the pursuit of options such as attending a community college or commuting to a local institution, which differs somewhat from prior literature (Glynn, 2019). However, they did use total cost of attendance to differentiate between institutions they included in their final choice sets, which is consistent with trends noted in college freshman cohorts over the past decade as college costs have steadily risen (K. Eagan et al, 2013).…”

“…Participants were provided with an interview guide listing the interview questions (see Appendix A). In one of the interview questions, research team members asked participants to rank order 17 college choice considerations pulled from published literature on college choice (Bergerson et al, 2013; Burleson, 2010; Giancola & Kahlenberg, 2016; Glynn, 2019; Hammond et al, 2007; Han, 2014; Huntington-Klein, 2018; Singell & Tang, 2012; Wilson & Adelson, 2012). Students were instructed to rank the most important factor 1 and the least important factor 17.…”

“…Students were concerned about academic factors, such as the quality of education (Burleson, 2010; Han, 2014), the availability of challenge (Hammond et al, 2007), enjoyable classes (Huntington-Klein, 2018), specific majors (Han, 2014), academic support (Burleson, 2010; Singell & Tang, 2012), and access to special programs (Han, 2014; Singell & Tang, 2012; Wilson & Adelson, 2012). Financial considerations, such as cost of attendance (Bergerson et al, 2013; Giancola & Kahlenberg, 2016; Han, 2014; Singell & Tang, 2012), the availability of financial aid (Bergerson et al, 2013; Burleson, 2010; Giancola & Kahlenberg, 2016; Han, 2014; Singell & Tang, 2012; Wilson & Adelson, 2012), and future earning potential (Bergerson et al, 2013; Huntington-Klein, 2018) were important to prospective students. Students also considered practical issues, such as closeness to home (Han, 2014; Giancola & Kahlenberg, 2016; Wilson & Adelson, 2012), and whether they were likely to be accepted to the institution (Han, 2014; Wilson & Adelson, 2012).…”

“…Students also considered practical issues, such as closeness to home (Han, 2014; Giancola & Kahlenberg, 2016; Wilson & Adelson, 2012), and whether they were likely to be accepted to the institution (Han, 2014; Wilson & Adelson, 2012). Increasingly, students also considered the social aspects of a campus, including the ability to fit into a social network (Bergerson et al, 2013; Burleson, 2010; Hammond et al, 2007; Huntington-Klein, 2018), the diversity of the student body, and the openness to diversity by the student body (Burleson, 2010). Finally, prospective students also considered the prestige and reputation of the school (Burleson, 2010; Glynn, 2019; Han, 2014; Wilson & Adelson, 2012), as well as opportunities for independence (Hammond et al, 2007), and recognition for their efforts (Hammond et al, 2007; Singell & Tang, 2012).…”

An investigation into international postgraduate students’ decision-making process

“…However, since the 1990's further work has been conducted on the student decision-making process with its various stages although with a concentration on the UG market place (Bergerson et al 2013, Brown et al 2009, Cubillo et al 2006, Dunnett et al 2012, Jian et al 2010, Moogan et al 2003 and using local students rather than international PG students. There has also been a focus of student choice from a sociological perspective (Ball 1986, Mangan et al 2010, Kettley & Whitehead 2012, as well as from a marketing perspective (Baker 2014, Ivy 2001, Hemsley-Brown & Oplatka 2006, Moogan et al 1999, Watjatrakul 2014, Winter & Chapleo 2015 and much research on the globalisation of HE in general (Altbach et al 2009, Hemsley-Brown & Oplatka 2015, Kearney & Lincoln 2013, Van der Wende 2007, Watjatrakul (2014 but again nothing in specific reference to international PG students and no research undertaken throughout the whole of the student decision-making process from start to finish.…”