New York College Learning Skills Association

RTDE Issue Contents

Research and Teaching
in Developmental Education

Volume 18, Issue 1, Fall 2001

Significant Events or Persons Influencing College Decisions of Conditionally-admitted and Early-admitted Freshmen
By Edwin Nieves and Kathleen Hartman, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Abstract

This article is an examination of the reasons cited by early-admitted and conditionally-admitted freshmen for choosing to attend college. A group of 99 conditionally-admitted and 78 early-admitted freshmen responded to the open-ended study question: "Do you recall any significant event(s) or person(s) which influenced your decision to attend college?" Their answers were analyzed using a content analysis approach and a thirteen category interrater scoring scale was created to determine if any differences existed between the groups. A cross comparative analysis indicated that parents and family had the greatest influence on both groups; however, the conditionally-admitted students more often cited parents and family as the primary influence in their college decision. Other significant events and persons cited by both groups are discussed, along with recommendations for the use of this information in student retention and suggestions for future research.