by Rachel Gilbert
News Writer
and Sunny Astorga
Staff Writer
Graduation day is nigh, and while some university students are caught up in the excitement of walking across the stage and into the real world, high school seniors everywhere have only just sent letters of intent to the colleges they will be attending.
But what factors go into deciding what college one attends? According to a University of Houston study, parents play an important role in the decision process.
Results of a focus-group study in which parents were talked to about their children's college choices were released recently. Counseling and Testing Services conducted the study in summer 1996.
The 1996 study was done after the fall 1995 UH Student Perception Survey reported that "parents were the most important influence on students' choice of institution to attend."
In the 1996 study, parents rated mailings, Cougar Previews and community "college nights" as some of the best sources of information about UH, Counseling and Testing Director of Institutional Effectiveness Jerry Osborne wrote in a memo.
"Most parents indicated that cost, proximity to home and the strength of the academic programs were the most important factors they considered when selecting a college for their daughters and sons," Osborne wrote.
Daniel Villa, a junior engineering major, chose to attend UH for just those reasons.
"My parents wanted me to go to Texas A&M or the University of Texas," Villa said.
While cost would not have been a problem in attending any of those universities, Villa said his parents thought they were more reputable than UH.
"I was a bum. I didn't want to leave home (Houston)," Villa said. "(UH's) engineering school is also pretty good. (My parents) like it now, especially after seeing what my cousins pay at UT."
In the memo, Osborne also stated that academic quality, breadth of curriculum and extracurricular activities were among UH's strengths.
Karen Harvey, a junior education major, said her parents definitely played an important role when deciding where to attend college.
"I wanted to stay in town. It was between UH and Rice, but I got the better deal here," Harvey said.
Harvey said her parents became partial to UH after she received a scholarship. She added they may have preferred Rice if she had been offered a scholarship from there.
According to Patricia Honacki, assistant dean of students at Texas Tech University, parents' influence is acknowledged by the school, and they are included as much as possible in the decision process.
"We invite parents and siblings to our orientation," Honacki said. "We have special sessions in the three-day event so parents can learn more. That way, it is a mutually beneficial program."
She added that parents have a large say in choosing a university for their children because the parents usually end up financing the education.
"Tuition has skyrocketed," Honacki said. "You can't look at a Harvard or a Baylor if you can't afford it. We offer tuition a heck of a lot lower than some private institutions."
This is the second time UH has conducted a Student Perception Survey. However, last summer was the first time the university had presented the survey's results to the campus.
According to Lorne Kuffel, director of policy and planning analysis, the 1996 survey, which took place during orientation, may become routine.