Abstract:
The need to recruit and educate high quality students with degrees from colleges of agriculture has been well established. However, not as well established are the factors that prospective students consider in selecting a college/university to attend. The purpose of the study was to compare two academic years of first-time enrollees in a college of agriculture with regard to the factors they used in making their college choice. The quadrant analysis model indicated that a "visit to campus" was the most useful source of information to prospective students. The results also indicated that students responded positively to participating in on-campus recruitment events and having personal conversations with professors. Career opportunities and the reputation of the university were identified as the most influential factors in prospective students' college choice process. First-time enrollees reported that having a relative who attended the college/university had an influence on their decision as well. It was concluded that first-time enrollees were consistent across the two academic years in the sources of information and factors used in selecting a college. Factor analysis revealed that the principal components in the college choice process were institution and degree program quality, influential people, personal considerations, and sources of information.
Keywords:
new students, freshmen, first-time enrollees
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