Academically At-Risk Students’ Initial Motivations and Pre-Graduation Reasons for Attending University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore academically at-risk students’ initial motivations for enrolling in university, pre-graduation reasons for attending university, and perceptions of the mission of higher education. We defined academically at-risk students as those with a higher than average likelihood of not completing the baccalaureate degree. Participants included 64 undergraduate students (72% women, 40% first-generation, 52% Caucasian, Mage = 22.48 years). Responses to an online survey indicated that career/materialism (59%), personal growth (48%), opportunities/experiences (43%), and academic-intellectual growth (40%) were the most frequently reported enrollment motivations. Personal growth (67%) and career-materialism (45%) were the most commonly reported pre-graduation reasons for attending university. Additionally, the majority of participants perceived students’ personal growth (55%) to be the mission of higher education. Data may inform academic and non-academic programming aimed at maximizing academically at-risk students’ likelihood of success in higher education.

Keywords

• at-risk students
• enrollment motivations
• reasons for attending university
• mission of higher education