The Influence of Distal Family Background and Proximal Family Status on the Occurrence and Timing of Postbaccalaureate Enrollment

• In Event: 42.048 - Not Just About the Bachelor's: Access Pathways for Community College and Graduate School

Abstract

The educational stratification and college-choice literature document the influence of family background (distal family) on educational attainment. These literatures focus on the traditional undergraduate student without considering the different preferences and responsibilities (context) of potential graduate students considering enrollment. Potential graduate students are often older than high school students making a college choice, are independent from their parents, and may have a spouse and children (proximal family) at the forefront of their educational plans. Using event history analysis, we measured the amount of time between baccalaureate degree completion and first graduate enrollment. Using this measure, we compared differences in the odds of graduate enrollment and timing of graduate enrollment based on marital status, parental status, and gender.

Authors

• Brian An, University of Iowa

• Michelle Kronfeld, Saint Ambrose University