ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the relationship between enrollment management and emerging adults. It aims to shed some light on the relationship between socioeconomic status and emerging adulthood, underscoring the constraints that shape fundamental choices and financial aspects pertaining to enrollment in postsecondary education, selection of academic major, and retention. The chapter emphasizes an equity-based perspective to add nuance to the application of the theory of emerging adulthood to higher education and student affairs. It discusses implications for institutional policy and practice in the domains of enrollment management, academic advising and support, and retention. There are several key factors that may influence college choice among high school graduates. Colleges and universities are adapting in structure, operations, programs, and finances and in ways that respond to, but that may also intensify student experiences of emerging adulthood. As colleges and universities work to meet their enrollment and financial goals, many have developed deliberate, targeted approaches to guide their decision-making.
