Monday, September 9, 2002

Students Unaffected by September 11 in Choosing Colleges, Study Finds By JEFFREY R. YOUNG The terrorist attacks of September 11 had little impact on the kinds of colleges that students entering college chose to attend this fall, although the sluggish economy did affect college choice, according to a new study. Only 5 percent of students surveyed said that September 11 had had a "significant influence on the kinds of college" they considered. But 50 percent of the students reported that the economy had affected their college decisions. The survey, conducted by telephone by the Art & Science Group, a research company in Baltimore, covered 500 students nationwide who planned to enroll at four-year colleges or universities this fall. Rick Hesel, a principal of the research company, said that he was not surprised by the results. "Eighteen-year-olds think they're immortal, so the fear of these types of things is not something they have in the way that adults have," said Mr. Hesel. But he said the findings were significant because they confirm what many college officials already know anecdotally. "People have been concerned about this question, but there hasn't been any hard data on it yet," Mr. Hesel added. "It's the economy that's really affecting decisions," said Mr. Hesel. "Across the board, the economy is affecting these decisions much more than 9/11." Of those who cited the economy as a factor in their college decisions, nearly 40 percent said they had given more-serious consideration to less-expensive colleges that were closer to home. And 25 percent of students surveyed said their parents had talked to them about how the depressed economy might hinder their ability to pay tuition bills. The survey also indicates that the events of September 11 did not dampen students' desire to study abroad. Only 5 percent said that the attacks had altered their study-abroad plans. "And 30 percent of the kids who said it had an effect said they were more likely to go abroad," said Mr. Hesel. "They're more curious about what's happening in the world as a consequence, I think." The survey results are not publicly available, but Mr. Hesel said they would eventually be posted on the company's Web site. Background article from The Chronicle: Americans' Support for an International Thrust in Academe Remains Strong, Poll Finds (9/6/2002) Easy-to-print version E-mail this article

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