Describing Students Involved in the Search Phase of the College Choice Process: A Cluster Analysis Study

Abstract

The media often communicates the existence of two distinct types of college applicants: the frenzied, overachieving, anxious student who applies to many institutions and the underprepared, less advantaged student who is not at all familiar with the application process. Although these two groups likely do exist, they are far from the norm of college applicants who are better exemplified as at least a few groups of students who can be classified based on relevant characteristics. We identified five unique clusters of students: Privileged High Achievers/Athletes, Disadvantaged Students, Average Students Needing More Guidance, Mostly Female Academics, and Privileged Low Achievers. These clusters differed from each other based on variables including: academic performance, demographic characteristics, home and school characteristics, participation in school activities, and the number and types of higher education institutions to which they apply. An understanding of these descriptive clusters, comprised of students with similar backgrounds and goals for higher education, is a necessary first step in developing more thoughtful and inclusive enrollment management and college preparation practices.