Factors Students Use To Select University Do Not Include Rankings: Survey
The 2022 IC3 Institute Student Quest Survey Report revealed that programme details, financial aid/scholarship information, and potential job opportunities were the top three factors affecting student choices when choosing a university.
This year, the university ranking slipped to sixth place with 29% from the last year’s second place, while students favoured other factors like programme details (51%), financial aid/scholarship information (51%), life on campus (38%), and potential job opportunities (45%) over university rankings.
1. LACK OF ACCESS TO CAREER COUNSELLING
It is surprising to know that almost 49% of students do not have access to college and career counselling. The lack of purpose and direction in young students’ lives concerns their future and the entire generation.
Overall, 92% of the students who had access to a counsellor found their interactions valuable and helpful.
In addition, almost 59% of students with counselling felt that their counsellors had played a vital role in making them aware and better prepared for the transition from school to university.
2. TOP STUDY ABROAD DESTINATIONS
Further, the report revealed that the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Canada continue to be the top three international study destinations.
Universities worldwide witnessed an increase in student applications in the last two years (80%), and in their regional representation.
However, the percentage increase in enrolments has been only 47%, indicating the need for timely and correct guidance to alleviate the stress on students of multiple applications. The programmes with an increased demand are data science, analytics, and humanities programmes.
Around 77% of the students agreed that financial budgeting information is essential in finalizing college choices, but only 23% of students were privy to this critical information.
3. ABOUT THE SURVEY
Conducted annually by the IC3 Institute, US, the primary objective of the annual survey is to ensure that career and college counselling is data-driven, rooted in rigorous scientific research, addresses the student’s critical needs, and adequately supports the stakeholders involved.
More than 10,000 students, 1,100 counsellors, and 110 universities from approximately 75 countries participated in the survey.
The report was launched at the Annual International Career and College Counseling (IC3) Conference at the Hyderabad International Convention Center on August 24, 2022.
The conference is an effort by the IC3 Movement that brings together higher education representatives for a collaborative dialogue on practices that drive sustainable and inclusive counseling practices focused on student success.
