Are men more concerned with their future careers than women?

The findings of this study indicate men are more likely than women to select a college based on the school’s academic reputation and its ability to prepare graduates for post graduate work (either the labor market, or graduate school). Statistics are presented with 95% confidence and are based on a random survey of 98 Kalamazoo College students living in campus dormitories. Hypothesis testing indicated that, on average, men weighted Kalamazoo College’s academic reputation as a more important factor influencing their decision to attend the college than women. Hypothesis testing also indicated that, on average, men weighted Kalamazoo College’s ability to prepare graduates for post graduate work as a more important factor influencing their decision to attend the college than women. To really strengthen the association between gender and reasons for selection colleges, the findings of this study need to be replicated by similar studies from schools across the country. This data could then be used with data looking at percent of men attending college vs. percent of women attending college, and percent of men with a job vs. percent of women with a job to determine whether or not men are actually more concerned with their future careers than women.