Sonya Surapaneni

The Emotional Effect of Variability--Socioeconomic Status, Race, Sexuality, and Parental Expectations--on Students Applying to University

Started May 25, 2021

Abstract or project description

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between student characteristics--race, socioeconomic status, sexuality--and stress when applying to college. The main research question is: Under which circumstances are high school students most likely to experience stress when applying to college? In addition to examining stress that is specifically related to the college application process, this study is exploring the role that parent-imposed stress plays on students' disposition through college. Primarily, this study will utilize a survey to gauge students' overall stress, parent-imposed stress, overall well-being, race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Analyses will be correlational in nature, looking at relationships between variables of interest. To supplement the quantitative findings, this project will also make use of interview data. Participants will be asked to elaborate on their college application process and focus specifically on the emotions they experienced during each stage. Interview data will be analyzed for themes and quotations will be woven through the quantitative results to create a narrative.