Date of Award

1997

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Bruce R. Swinburne

Abstract

The problem of this study was to identify the factors that influenced the decision of admitted first-time freshmen applicants to matriculate or not to matriculate at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in the fall semester of 1995. Participants were randomly selected from 793 first-time applicants. The population consisted of 529 matriculants and 264 nonmatriculants; ultimately, 52 matriculants and 26 nonmatriculants were surveyed via telephone interviews. The chi square was applied to the data. Over 50% of the nonmatriculant sample indicated that the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was their first choice. However, nearly half of the nonmatriculants were enrolled in another college that was preferred over UAPB at the time of application. The cost of attending and available financial aid or scholarship were the major variables influencing the enrollment decisions of matriculants, with location as a strong secondary influence. Location was the top variable given by nonmatriculants for nonenrollment. University alumni and the campus visit were reported as the major sources of information for matriculants.

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