Factors influencing the college choice of African-American students admitted to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe factors attributing to the college choice of African-American students admitted to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri - Columbia (MU). The population for this study consisted of 22 African-American students admitted to CAFNR at the University of Missouri - Columbia during the fall 2005. The response rate for matriculants was 58% and non-matriculants was 20%. The data revealed little difference in admission criteria between matriculants and non-matriculants. African-American non-Missouri residents were less likely to attend MU. The most used and most useful source of information for matriculants was a visit to campus. The most influential institutional characteristic for matriculants was availability of scholarships. Relatives who attended MU were the most influential on the matriculants college decision. Campus residential halls were most influential on social interactions for matriculants and seventy percent of these students began their college choice in the tenth grade.