CHOOSING THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM: AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH ON THE DYNAMICS OF STUDENTS' DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

The paper summarizes the outcomes of a complex exploratory research, planned and conducted in the last five years. The results of the research describe the distinct dynamic of the decision process involving prospective students: the specific way in which they became aware of the need to continue their studies; the manner in which they collect information about available education programs; the methods of evaluating each program: the final choice decision; the assessment of satisfaction levels during the studies, at their completion and, later on, during the process of insertion in the labor market. The objective of the research is to provide an insight into the internal dynamic of the decision process involved in the adoption of an academic program and to explore the changes that Romanian prospective students have experienced in terms of how they manage this process, from the initial recognition of the need to pursue higher education training to the post-graduation self-assessment.