Before the process starts for African-American students to choose a higher education institution, the students are faced with challenges in high school and in the college search phase that either help or stunt their college preparedness, and therefore impact their college choice. The lack of access, knowledge, and readiness are all barriers that African-American students face in the first stage of obtaining a postsecondary education. Teachers, parents and families, and school counselors all play a role in the college choice process. This study examined the historical factors that influenced college choice from the foundation of higher education in the United States and moved into the impact that current educational practices are having on African-American students and college choice at the present time. For this study, small interview groups were conducted with nine students at a liberal arts institution in the Mid-West to gather their perceptions around college choice and those barriers and facilitators that contributed to their process. Results from the study concluded that financial concerns, sense of community, and support all impacted the African-American students college choice process. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]