Date of Award

4-2020

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Dr. Autumn Edwards

Second Advisor

Dr. Bryan Abendschein

Third Advisor

Dr. Leah Omilion-Hodges

Keywords

Homeschool, memorable messages, anticipatory college, theory of memorable messages (ToMM), control theory

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Homeschooling in the United States provides many children with a unique educational background that may present different perspectives when considering college attendance. This thesis examines the memorable messages homeschool students received regarding college, where these messages came from, and the perceived impact they have on the student. Memorable messages are easily recalled words that participants receive from others, which they believe has an impact on their attitudes and decisions (Cranmer & Myers, 2017). This study also looks at the messages homeschool students received from the media and the effect these have on their college choices. A qualitative study gathered reports of the nature, meanings, and effects of memorable messages and analyzed the content through the lens of control theory and sense-making. A purposive and snowball sample of graduated homeschool student participants were recruited online via homeschool Facebook groups. The results of this study inform homeschool parents, college admission offices, along with current and future homeschool students about how homeschoolers make college-choice decisions. Results of this study also further the body of research on memorable messages and help to further the research on the need for the proposed theory of memorable messages

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