The College Choice
by
Loren E. Swartzendruber
first published in Gospel Herald
April 8, 1986
How
do people in the Mennonite Church decide whether to attend
college? How do they choose a particular school to attend?
Are parents and congregational leaders influential in the
decision-making process? What role do friends play in deciding
between a state university and a church college?
According to research by Don Hossler of Indiana University,
the typical young person goes through at least three phases
when considering the matter of college attendance.
1.Predisposition phase. Most youth make the decision for
or against college while still in elementary school. The
process is not usually conscious, but by the end of the
elementary years, most students have already decided whether
or not they will attend college. About 70 percent of current
college students say they decided to attend college ducting
their elementary years.
Parents have a major influence during this phase. As many
as 50 percent of college students say their parents first
encouraged them to plan for college. Numerous factors influence
the direction of this initial phase: socioeconomic status
of the family, academic abilities, quality of high school.
2.Search phase. During the junior high and early high school
years those students who have decided to attend college
usually begin to form a "set" of colleges from
which they will later choose one to attend. This set of
schools often includes three to five institutions, usually
of a similar type. For example, a student and his/her family
may be considering several state universities, or several
private institutions.
Most students eventually enter one of the schools in this "set." This would suggest that if a student is
not seriously considering a Mennonite college before reaching
the 11th grade in high school, he or she will probably not
enroll in a Mennonite school. During this phase the student
is not particularly concerned about the specific strength
of an institution when compared to other colleges in the
"set."
3.Choice phase. Most students narrow their options down
to one school during the last two years of high school.
This is the time to visit the campuses, talk to teachers,
consult with adults, and identify the strengths of the colleges
being considered.
Parents and other adults are influential in the decision
regarding college choice. Parents should begin talking about
college while their children are still in elementary school.
During this phase it is most important to discuss the positive
values of education.
As children enter junior high age it will be important to
begin discussing Mennonite college options. Students should
know about our church schools. Families can become better
acquainted with church colleges by planning campus visits.
A church college education is more affordable than most
people think. Over 80 percent of our Mennonite Church college
students receive financial aid. Only a few pay the "sticker
price" listed in college catalogs.
The vitality of the Mennonite Church and its mission is
at stake. Those who attend a Mennonite college are more
likely to be active in the Mennonite Church (according to
at least two studies) than those who attend other schools
or those who decide not to attend college. The majority
of our church workers were educated in Mennonite colleges.
Congregations benefit when their youth study in church schools.
The graduates are more likely to become active members and
leaders, and they are aware of the global mission of the
church. Their gifts are available for service.
It is true that our schools experience financial stress
when enrollments decline (they had to add programs and building
to accommodate the larger enrollments of the 1970s). The
more critical factor, however, is what a lower percentage
of youth in church schools means for the future of the church.
It is a concern every member of the church should share.
