This paper is an explanation of the development and evaluation of three decision-making workshops for prospective college students who are between their junior and senior year of high school, and their parents. The idea for this project originated in the Ball State University Office of Admissions, and this was the first program offered.The purpose of each one and one-half day workshop was to better acquaint students and parents in methods of decision making while at the same time providing them with an opportunity to become aware of the educational opportunities at Ball State University. The value of the study was that it assisted parents as well as students in better decision making as to career and college choices. The project was significant in that better decisions both save money and time, and increase the potential for success and personal fulfillment for the individual and for the family.The need for this research originates in the lack of awareness in the general public of how to make long and short term satisfying decisions. Students in the upper grades of high school face important decisions and need to know appropriate decision making skills. Parents need to be better informed about college life while helping their children choose where they will attend. Poor decision making in college and career choices is due to the lack of necessary decision making skills and the lack of information about the various alternatives available in different collegiate institutions and careers. Better knowledge about self, better knowledge about how to make decisions, and more information concerning the alternatives from which to choose should result in better decisions.Letters of invitation to the workshops were sent only to those students who took the Scholastic Aptitude Test in April, 1974, who had their scores sent to Ball State University, and who scored over 320 on the verbal portion of the test. The letter also invited the parents of the student since they are usually involved in the decision making processes of their children.The evaluation form was the last exercise which was completed by the participants in the last session of each workshop. Thus, this is not a longitudinal study.
Research Papers [5100] Research papers submitted to the Graduate School by Ball State University master's degree candidates in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.