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The Impact Of Social Influences On Msum Students' Decision To Go To College, Jenna Ellertson

Student Academic Conference

With a cultural image that portrays a “college for all” mantra, there are a variety of measures that may be impactful on one’s decision to go to college. This paper focuses on Minnesota State University Moorhead students’ narratives around social influences and pressure to continue their education through the means of a four-year degree. It was found that areas of social impact were based on the influences of family, friends, media, and the American dream in relation to one’s self-identity and future aspirations. In terms of individual decisions towards college, major choice and university location were almost exclusively made independently.