Student Perceptions of Influences on College Choice

A brief questionnaire which measured the influence of four factors (Intellectual Emphasis, Practicality, Advice of Others and Social Emphasis) on college choice was administered to the 1966 freshman class at Northern Michigan University. The relationship of these factors to sex, college aptitude, and distance of home from the University was examined by analysis of variance and correlation analysis. All student groups said that they gave substantial emphasis to intellectual considerations in choosing a college, and all felt that the advice of other persons had had little influence upon their decisions. Students whose homes were located near the University were more influenced by practical concerns than those who came from a greater distance, and the more academically-able women expressed greater concern for practical considerations than women of lower ability. This concern appeared to be related to socioeconomic status as measured by father's occupation.