College Choice Process for Chinese International Undergraduate Students in the United States

• In Event: 66.089 - Sheraton Roundtable Session 13 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 66.089-1 - Immigration and Language in Higher Education

Abstract

This study aims to explore what factors influence Chinese students’ decision and choice to attend American colleges and universities for their undergraduate studies, and how they navigate the three-stage college choice process. The researcher conducted semi-structure interviews with 15 Chinese undergraduate international students who study in Johnstown, a middle-sized city in the northeastern America. Findings from this study confirm parents' active engagement and dominant control in these students’ study abroad decision and major choice. Study Abroad Agents function as for-profit gate-keepers in the college application process, and the lack of academic preparation in Study Abroad Agents schools becomes obstacles for them to achieve college success.

Author

• Lei Zhu, University at Buffalo - SUNY