COVID-19 and Intentions to Study Abroad: Evidence from Overseas University Applications to the UK

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how COVID-19 impacted overseas students' decision to apply for an undergraduate degree at UK universities. Design/methodology/approach: This study compares the number of university applications from overseas students in summer and autumn 2020 with those in the period 2011-2019. Multivariate analysis techniques are used. Findings: The results show that the pandemic has led to a drop in university applications from foreign students by 11-14%. Such decline has been driven by a reduction in the number of applicants from high-income countries as opposed to those from middle-lower income countries. Two explanations may account for this finding. First, students from affluent countries, compared to those from poorer countries, may be more likely to find a good alternative to the UK where to carry out their studies (including their home country). Second, the option of deferring study abroad plans due to the pandemic may be more affordable for applicants from high-income countries. Originality/value: While understanding how COVID-19 has impacted international student mobility is an emerging issue in the literature, not only are there few studies providing evidence on this, but these are based on qualitative analysis. This paper uses quantitative methods that allow to separate the effect of COVID-19 from that associated with other factors affecting the flow of international students.

Targeted marketing to the underserved: Examining the factors that influence college intent and choice for minority male high school students in Edgecombe County, North Carolina

This mixed-methods study investigates the real and perceived barriers that African American male Edgecombe County high school students face when considering college enrollment to inform potential interventions to improve college enrollment of this market segment. Phase I of the study design included a survey of current, African American, male college students to determine potential barriers African American high school students may face when considering college. Phase II included semi-structured group interviews of African American male Edgecombe County high school students. "Uncertainty" and "frustration" were revealed as the main barriers these students face when considering postsecondary enrollment. Participants indicated uncertainty about college majors, college cost, paying for college, student loans, money, and self-efficacy. Additionally, participants indicated frustration related to course choices in college programs, mathematics classes, as well as their high school GPA not being an accurate indicator of their ability. Phase III included the development of career and technical education (CTE) certificates to create more dual enrollment options for underserved students. Finally, a focus group review of 9-14 pathway samples by African American male students was used to develop a student-informed template for future 9-14 pathways utilized by Edgecombe Community College. Responses from study participants and subsequent meetings with key stakeholders show opportunities to improve the college approach to recruiting students from this demographic. More dual-enrollment certificate options and clearly defined educational pathways (from high school through college) with job market analysis incorporated in those pathways were tools that this study has indicated may help create more postsecondary opportunities for African American male high students in the Edgecombe Community College service area. Additionally, financial aid literacy initiatives for both students and parents and increased recruiting visits to area high schools as the Novel Corona Virus pandemic begins to wane were also indicated as outreach and recruitment strategies. The findings of this study helped develop intentional, dual enrollment certificate options and 9-14 educational pathways the college will utilize to create more postsecondary opportunities for African American males and other underserved groups of students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Gen Z students' experiences with college choice

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what influences Gen Z student college choice. Research on college choice has provided insight into whether or not a student will attend college;however, limited research exists on what impacts Gen Z students' college choice and how marketing and communication influence what college a student will choose. College recruitment has always been challenging, given the high competition between colleges and universities. With the decrease in enrollment over the last decade and the unexpected impact of COVID-19, that challenge continues to grow. Enrollment and marketing administrators have difficulty expanding and diversifying their marketing, communication, and digital engagement practices to influence this generation of college-going students. This research involved interviews with 27 first-semester first-year students at a regional university in the southeast. Participants described their experiences with the college search process, including contact from higher education institutions. Overall, this study provides a more comprehensive understanding of Generation Z's college choice influences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

School Counselors and College Counseling During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The onset of COVID-19 brought myriad challenges to educational systems and the students they serve. Our study set out to explore specifically how the pandemic influenced students' college-going processes. Using the conceptual model of student college choice by Perna (2006) and the school counseling equity framework by Savitz-Romer and Nicola (2021), we exam-ined students' college-going processes through the perspectives of school counselors, who are professionals uniquely positioned to speak to students' college-planning behaviors and the institutional changes that directly affect students. Findings suggest that students' college-going and planning was directly compromised by challenges from the pandemic and indirectly by changes in their college access support landscape. © 2022 Association for the Study of Higher Education All Rights Reserved.

Gen Z students' experiences with college choice

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what influences Gen Z student college choice. Research on college choice has provided insight into whether or not a student will attend college;however, limited research exists on what impacts Gen Z students' college choice and how marketing and communication influence what college a student will choose. College recruitment has always been challenging, given the high competition between colleges and universities. With the decrease in enrollment over the last decade and the unexpected impact of COVID-19, that challenge continues to grow. Enrollment and marketing administrators have difficulty expanding and diversifying their marketing, communication, and digital engagement practices to influence this generation of college-going students. This research involved interviews with 27 first-semester first-year students at a regional university in the southeast. Participants described their experiences with the college search process, including contact from higher education institutions. Overall, this study provides a more comprehensive understanding of Generation Z's college choice influences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Targeted marketing to the underserved: Examining the factors that influence college intent and choice for minority male high school students in Edgecombe County, North Carolina

This mixed-methods study investigates the real and perceived barriers that African American male Edgecombe County high school students face when considering college enrollment to inform potential interventions to improve college enrollment of this market segment. Phase I of the study design included a survey of current, African American, male college students to determine potential barriers African American high school students may face when considering college. Phase II included semi-structured group interviews of African American male Edgecombe County high school students. "Uncertainty" and "frustration" were revealed as the main barriers these students face when considering postsecondary enrollment. Participants indicated uncertainty about college majors, college cost, paying for college, student loans, money, and self-efficacy. Additionally, participants indicated frustration related to course choices in college programs, mathematics classes, as well as their high school GPA not being an accurate indicator of their ability. Phase III included the development of career and technical education (CTE) certificates to create more dual enrollment options for underserved students. Finally, a focus group review of 9-14 pathway samples by African American male students was used to develop a student-informed template for future 9-14 pathways utilized by Edgecombe Community College. Responses from study participants and subsequent meetings with key stakeholders show opportunities to improve the college approach to recruiting students from this demographic. More dual-enrollment certificate options and clearly defined educational pathways (from high school through college) with job market analysis incorporated in those pathways were tools that this study has indicated may help create more postsecondary opportunities for African American male high students in the Edgecombe Community College service area. Additionally, financial aid literacy initiatives for both students and parents and increased recruiting visits to area high schools as the Novel Corona Virus pandemic begins to wane were also indicated as outreach and recruitment strategies. The findings of this study helped develop intentional, dual enrollment certificate options and 9-14 educational pathways the college will utilize to create more postsecondary opportunities for African American males and other underserved groups of students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Factors Affecting Students' Decision to Choose Regional Public Universities: An Empirical Study from Vietnam

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of several factors on students' decisions to attend a public institution in Vietnam's North Central area. The enrollment issue toward regional institutions is particularly critical in the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training reforming the university enrollment process and the complicated scenario of the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 500 students were surveyed for research samples. Data is synthesized, validated, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software using methods including reliability, EFA, CFA, and SEM. The findings suggest that the proposed independent components (individual factors, study fees, advertisement, infrastructure and facilities, local features, and lastly, training activities) have a beneficial impact on students' decision to attend a public university in the North Central region. The study also found that the graduation exam outcome had a moderating effect on the relationship between registration and students' decisions. These imply targeted solutions for regional public universities to diversify training majors, improve training quality, capitalize on local advantages, increase interaction, and promote training programs and image to be more effective in attracting students and maintaining competition in the current enrollment environment.