Shaping College Readiness: Factors Influencing Vietnamese High School Students' Transition to Higher Education

• In Event: Examining International Higher Education Contexts and International Student Populations

Abstract

This mixed-methods study explores how Vietnamese high school students prepare for college and identifies factors influencing their college readiness. Drawing on a survey of 4,182 students and interviews with 76 students, teachers, and school leaders, the study’s preliminary findings indicate that family factors (e.g., family income and parental influences) and school factors (e.g., orientational activities, counseling, and academic support) play crucial roles in shaping college readiness. The study confirms Conley's college readiness framework, highlighting the significance of individual, family, and organizational-level factors. The research emphasizes the importance of supporting students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in their pursuit of higher education possibilities.

Authors

• Thong Trinh, University of California - Berkeley

• Chi Nguyen, University of Arizona

• Thu Thi-Kim Le, University of Windsor

• Khanh-Minh Anh Le, Western Sydney University - Vietnam

• Tran Tran, Pennsylvania State University