The Parental Influences on a Student's Undergraduate Collegiate Choices

Abstract

Undeniably, one of the largest influences on a child as they age is his or her parents. A specifically important choice of children that may be shaped by their parents is where they decide to attend college and what they decide to study. These choices may define important factors for the remainder of a student’s life such as where they live or what their occupation becomes. Existing scholars have analyzed the effects of expected earnings and how they influence a student’s major choice. Additionally, there has been research done that studies the effects of family income on whether or not children attend college. However, there has been a lack of research that studies the relationship between a student’s familial influences on their school choice and major choice. This study investigates the effects of the student-­‐parent relationship, perception of parents’ financial and occupational success, and family structure on a student’s choice of where to attend college and what they decide to major in. My primary data was collected through the use of surveys administered to freshman and sophomore students attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. My results support that each of the above variables are a significant influence on a student’s college or major choice, with the significance of the outcome varying among the relationship of a student’s father and mother.