The Relationship between University Choice Desicion, Academic Reputation and Social Activities: Example of Undergraduate Students of Akdeniz and Eskişehir Osmangazi Universities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to reveal the factors influencing students’ choice of a public university to study. It also aims to reveal the extent to which these factors were influential. The factors influencing students’ university choice were modelled. The study was conducted in relational survey model, and Biglan classification scheme was used to represent the target population. The participants of the study are composed of 591 and 453 first-year students from Akdeniz University and Osmangazi University, respectively. University Choice, Social Activities, and Academic Reputation scales developed by the researchers were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 and LISREL 8.70 statistical software packages. The results of the study reveal that the factors influencing first year students’ choice of university are the students who are already studying at the university, financial opportunities offered by the university, acquaintances, the cost of education, being informed about the university, job opportunities, the impact of high school education and geographical position, respectively. According to the model, social activities and academic reputation directly affect university choice. As the participation in social activity increases, the perception of academic reputation also increases.