Differences in Academic, Campus, Social, and Personal Concerns of Diverse College-Bound Students
Author(s): Becky Bobek, Raeal Moore, Joyce Zhou-Yile Schnieders, & Daniel Elchert
Citation: Becky Bobek, Raeal Moore, Joyce Zhou-Yile Schnieders, & Daniel Elchert. (2021). Differences in Academic, Campus, Social, and Personal Concerns of Diverse College-Bound Students. Journal of The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition, 33(1), 27-50.
Abstract
Understanding the concerns high school students have about college presents opportunities to address college-bound students’ needs before they arrive on campus, potentially increasing enrollment and retention. In this study, we investigated the academic, campus, social, and personal concerns of college-bound high school students and how these concerns differed for diverse groups of students (by gender, race/ethnicity, first-generation, and income level). Results showed that academic and personal concerns were highest across all demographic groups. Female students were more concerned about campus issues than social factors; the opposite was true for male students. Students from lower-income families or minority groups had greater concerns than their peers. Recommendations for mitigating some of these concerns are provided.