Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2018, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (5): 182-213.

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An Empirical Study on the Influencing Mechanism of Undergraduate Graduation Planning and Its Trends: Based on a Ten-year Survey Data

MIN Zuntao1, CHEN Yunsong1,2, WANG Xiuxiao3   

  1. 1. Department of Sociology, Nanjing University;
    2. Hopinks Nanjing Center, Department of Sociology;
    3. Department of Sociology, Central University of Finance and Economics
  • Online:2018-09-20 Published:2018-09-20
  • Supported by:

    This study is supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (No. 16BSH011 & No. 13CSH085),the Beijing Philosophy and Social Science Foundation (No. 15SHB027), Major Project of Humanity and Social Sciences Key Research Institute of the Ministry of Education (No. 14JJD840001), English-taught Brand Course for International Students of the Ministry of Education and Excellent English-taught Graduate Course of Central University of Finance and Economics (Economy and Society in Contemporary China), Disciplinary Advancement Plan of School of Sociology and Psychology at Central University of Finance and Economics,121 Talent Projectand Young Ph.D. Development Foundation of Central University of Finance and Economics(No. QBJZH201011).

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Abstract:

Most existing studies on educational stratification focus mainly on social stratification prior to the entry of higher education. Little attention is paid to the stratification process that continues during college education. This study investigates the factors impacting graduation plans of undergraduates at a Beijing key university during a ten-year period from 2007 to 2016. Findings show that post-graduation choices are positively influenced by academic performance, family background and macrosocial factors:(1) Academic performance is the weakest link in predicting a student's decision to pursue graduate study; (2) Family background has a decisive impact on pursuing graduate study abroad, much more significant than academic performance or macrosocial factors; (3) Macrosocial factors are an important predictor for graduates' career plans.A series of interaction analysis between core independent variables yields conclusion that the impact of family background in choosing graduate education, especially study abroad, increases when academic performance scores high. The findings on family background and academic performance constitute a consistent trend for the ten-year period. The 2013 Graduate Education Tuition Reform Policy increased tuition fees for graduate study and the enrolment suffered that year. By the same token, the fast-increasing number of college graduates encourages further graduate study as a way of postponing job seeking. In sum, this study strongly confirms that the distribution of post baccalaureate education opportunities reflects the reproduction of social stratification. At the same time, the transitional nature of Chinese higher education during the past decade also has an important impact on individual graduation planning.

Key words: family background, academic performance, macro factors, commencement planning, educational reproduction