Every year university bound graduating high school students are faced with the problem of selecting a post secondary institution. The selection process typically spans a number of years and involves considering many factors. Identifying those factors that influence students during the selection process was the goal of this study. Two hundred twenty-seven first year university students attending one of three degree granting institutions in Alberta were surveyed by means of a questionnaire to determine those factors considered during the university selection process. Correlations, means, analyses of variance and qualitative data provided the statistical and descriptive information for interpretation. The principal finding of this study was that parents, particularly mothers, are the most influential persons reported to affect the process. The factors which tend to be important to students at the University of Alberta were not the same factors important to students attending Camrose Lutheran College and the University of Lethbridge, the two smaller universities. University of Alberta students value reputation of the institution, reputation of the program, variety of courses offered, and proximity to home as important factors in their choice. Camrose Lutheran College and University of Lethbridge students value low student/professor ratio, low student population, and reputation of institution. This study may provide an increase in understanding of the selection process and thus assist those involved in guiding students through the process. / x, 106 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.