An empirical model of the enrollment decision for students admitted both to Rutgers University and to at least one alternate college is described. Students base their enrollment decision on the relative quality of the schools, their own abilities and family resources, and the net costs of the schools. (Author/MLW)

A study examined the processes used by 322 college-bound students, in the course of a year, to choose a college. Sources of information, decision-making activities, and college selection criteria were considered. Results indicate shifts in information sources and decision-making activities, differences in higher ability students, and gender…

A study of 420 multiple-transfer students enrolled at a large, public, urban university found that students moved along 4 transfer paths before enrolling at the university, where they comprised one-fifth of undergraduates. Paths differed on demographic, institutional, and interaction variables. Overall, they were academic achievers with high…

A study investigated to what extent parental socioeconomic and educational background and college planning variables (familiarity with admissions, aspirations, financial planning) influenced the kinds of characteristics they looked for in colleges. Subjects were 1,332 parents of eighth graders. Results are presented and discussed in the context of…

A study investigated variables affecting college-bound students' decisions to apply to a college after requesting that college entrance examination scores be sent to it. Results indicate that fit between the student's preferences and institutional characteristics had the most substantial impact, especially college location and test scores at or…

A study analyzed demographic, socioeconomic, and financial factors in enrollment behavior of accepted applicants to Iona College (New York). Financial aid had a positive impact on enrollment decisions (excepting upper-income applicants): for every $1,000 increase offered, probability of enrollment increased 1.1 to 2.5%. Work-study was not…

A study investigated who uses the "U.S. News and World Report,""Money," and other national magazine rankings of colleges and universities, and what types of freshmen find these rankings useful in choosing a college. It also analyzed the for-profit sector's encroachment into a critical educational arena, college access, and…

This study applied probability models in a four-year case study at a selective liberal arts college. The study found that, while admissions decisions matched institutional goals for student characteristics, discrepancies between acceptance and enrollment decisions frustrated the institution's efforts to achieve diversity and highlighted the…

A study examined the effects of individual characteristics, institutional characteristics and experiences, and financial aid on African-American and White students' degree aspirations. Students' aspirations were mostly the result of socioeconomic factors, initial degree aspirations, and institutional characteristics. Financial aid was not a…

A study investigated the relative importance of 31 institutional characteristics in 1,068 graduate students' decisions to enroll or not enroll in the institution. Factors having the greatest influence included residency status, quality and other academic environment characteristics, work-related concerns, spouse considerations, financial aid, and…

In-state and out-of-state choice pattern differences among students with regard to academic and economic variables and the impact that financial aid would have upon their choice are examined. A survey of Pennsylvania public and nonpublic high school seniors illustrated the role background variables play. (MLW)

Analysis of data from two national longitudinal studies focused on college application behaviors of different racial ethnic groups. Results show significant group differences in preparation behaviors, in number of colleges applied to, and in attendance at first-choice institution. Institutions are urged to evaluate the potential effects of policy…