Understanding the College Choice of Disadvantaged Students

In order to face the challenges of attracting minority and disadvantaged students and improving college participation among them, it is important to understand the college-choice decision of these students. This issue examines the often neglected topic of college-choice decision of minority and disadvantaged students and suggests avenues to help promote access and improve participation. Authors of this issue examine the influence of family and high school variables as well as racial and ethnic differences on college-choice. Understanding these variables, differences as well as obstacles of students, including first-generation students, are integral factors for understanding college-choice and uncovering key elements to help strengthen enrollment management. This issue also provides an informative discussion of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1998, an invaluable resource, especially for researchers focussing on national trends. By providing insightful information on college-choice among minority and disadvantaged students, this issue will assist in gathering and utilizing information on prospective students in order to develop a cohesive and successful enrollment management system. This is the 107th issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Institutional Research.