Assecssing the Impact of Factors on the University Selection Decisions of 12th - Grade Students

Abstract

The research focuses on investigating and analyzing the factors that 12th-grade students consider when making decisions about choosing a university for their post-secondary education after graduating from high school. These factors encompass both objective and subjective elements, including: academic performance, family finances, the diversity and appeal of the chosen field of study, the geographical location of the university, its reputation, employment opportunities and career prospects, desired majors, family influence, extracurricular activities and support, entrance exam scores, and social influences. This study analyzes the impact of each of these factors on the students' decisions and can provide valuable information for improving academic counseling processes and creating suitable support programs for 12th-grade students in their university selection process. Based on these factors, a survey was constructed, targeting over 1,200 12th-grade students to collect opinions and assess the degree of influence of these factors on the university selection decisions of each individual. Using the SPSS software, the analysis of the results indicates varying degrees of impact among the factors. Most of the factors were assessed to have a significant influence, with scores ranging around 3,6 out of 5,0. Additionally, there were three factors found to have a low impact on the university selection decisions of 12th-grade students.