Choosing Higher Education: A Person Approach to Identify the Interest Pursuance Patterns of Aspiring Students

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: College and Career Decision Making

Abstract

Previous research has shown that interests are the most important factor when students select a program. Nonetheless, how students’ interests exactly affect the choice process is unclear. Previous studies have shown that students pursue interests differently. Therefore, we identified interest pursuance patterns in the higher educational choice of students. Moreover, we linked the interest pursuance patterns to the various ways students go through the process of choosing a program. In order to do so, we interviewed twenty students. Results indicate multiple interest pursuance patterns and these patterns are linked to the different ways students go through the higher educational process.

Authors

• Jonne Vulperhorst, Leiden University

• Roeland M. Van der Rijst, Leiden University

• Sanne Akkerman, Leiden University