Admission Officers’ Impressions of Homeschooled Applicants in Evangelical and Nonevangelical Colleges and Universities

Abstract

Impressions of admission officers toward homeschooled applicants were examined. Specifically, this study sought to ascertain whether the perceptions of admission officers adhered to the common stereotype that homeschoolers are brighter and yet socially less well-adjusted than average. The responses of 121 admission officers were analyzed across several variables to determine which were associated with the homeschooler stereotype. The variables explored were politically conservative versus liberal, level of religious commitment, working or not working at a Christian college or university, size of institution, and years of employment as an admission officer. Chi-square analyses revealed that admission officers working at member institutions of the Council for Christian College & Universities (CCCU) were found to be more likely to view homeschooled applicants as less socially adjusted than admission officers not working at member institutions of the CCCU. Correlational analyses indicated that the more politically conservative admission officers were, the more likely they were to view homeschooled applicants as academically superior, more likely to consider homeschooling their own children, and more likely to perceive their institution to be homeschooler friendly. Religious attitudes and size of insitution were not predictive. Years as admission officer tended to predict not endorsing the homeschooler stereotype. Potential explanations of the findings are discussed, including the possibility of confirmation bias. Some of the findings are counter-intuitive. Practical implications for those working as admission officers in Christian higher education are also presented.