By Heather Zimar, Managing Editor, Journals and Publications, ̽»¨Â¥
College choice involves an abundance of information and resources, yet “the dynamics of resource utilization among prospective college students remain ambiguous,” wrote Mark Butt, in the April issue of SEM Quarterly.
Using the Common Application to collect data, Butt investigated “which resources students are engaging with, focusing on the mechanisms through which learning occurs, whereas previous investigations have primarily focused on identifying the factors that matter to students.”
Butt’s findings revealed seven central themes in students' resource utilization: “(1) the continued rise of digital resources, (2) the popularity of college websites, (3) a continued gap in financial planning, (4) the balance of virtual and in-person campus tours, (5) the continued use of the school counselor, (6) the emergence of independent counseling apparatus, and (7) the 2:1:2 ratio of in-person to hybrid to digital.”
“The prevalence of digital resources underscores the need for institutions to invest in digital infrastructure and innovative technologies to cater to the new needs of students in the digital age,” Butt concluded. “If there was any question about the role of technology, the future is indisputably digital, or at very least hybrid based on these findings. Nevertheless, the sustained utilization of in-person resources underscores the enduring value of personalized guidance and human-centered support throughout the college planning journey.”
Other articles in this issue include:
by Alicia Moore and Christy Walker
by Sara Cousins, Delacey Tedesco, Kelly Brochu, and Tanya Tarlit
by Kimberley Buster-Williams
by Ariana Balayan and Amanda Ostreko
by Tara Hornor and Christopher W. Tremblay
by Andrew L. Luna and Michael Wilson
For more information or to submit a manuscript, please contact the managing editor.