Search, Choice and Persistence for Higher Education: A Case Study in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to investigate students' behaviors in search and choice during university placement, and also to examine how students' choice process affects their persistence decisions. Participants in the study were 51 second year students studying in the Department of Chemistry Education of Kazim Karabekir Education Faculty, in Ataturk University, in Turkey. The survey instrument used in this study employed a scale to identify sources of information benefited, types of information obtained and factors which students took into consideration in choice process. In addition to this, a semi-structured interview was used to take profound information about this process. The study indicates that most of the students choose their program by an inadequate search process. Findings also indicate that the students show negative behaviors in their decision making process. Finally, a persistence phase is suggested for college or university choice process.