College Choice: Considerations for Academically Advanced High School Seniors

When choosing a college, high school students and those who guide them through the process must consider the complex interactions between student-level and institution-level variables in order to achieve an optimal person-environment fit. Ten academically advanced high school students who had chosen and committed to attending a college participated in semistructured interviews in which they rank-ordered and discussed the college choice considerations they used in the decision-making process. This qualitative study describes six themes that were identified across participants. The college-going identity of these academically advanced students was influenced by pressure to attend a highly selective school, social comparisons, and early career exploration opportunities. Additionally, when evaluating institution characteristics, these academically talented high school seniors questioned the relationship between quality, cost, and prestige, appreciated flexible learning options, and sought opportunities for immersion in a domain.

Automated summary

When choosing a college, academically advanced high school students are influenced by factors such as pressure, social comparisons, and early career exploration opportunities. They question the relationship between quality, cost, and prestige of institutions, value flexible learning options, and seek opportunities for immersion in a specific domain.