Who Seeks Help? Students’ Help-Seeking Behaviors in College Choice Process

• In Event: 435 - Section on Sociology of Education Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Sociology of Education Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. College Choice

Abstract

This study examined students’ help-seeing behaviors in college choice process. Previous studies found that school played a crucial role in college transition process. However, if students do not utilize the resources the school provides, the school cannot effectively play a role in supporting students’ college enrollment process. Thus, this study investigated how individual social background affects students’ help-seeking behaviors in school during college choice process using the Education Longitudinal Study. This study further examined how school characteristics affect their help-seeking behaviors. The results suggested that low-income students are more likely to seek help in school as they navigate college information than their middle class counterparts. Furthermore, students who developed strong bond to school are more likely to seek help from school personnel during college choice process than students with a weak bond to school.

Author

• Hye Won Ahn, University of Iowa