Abstract:
Purpose of the Study The purpose of the research is to study the characteristics of Matayom Suksa Six students in Bangkok Metropolis entering higher education institutions in general. Subsequently students were classified Arts and Sciences Programs, relating to their personal information, program of study, family professional background, political, social and economical outlooks, and life plans. Moreover, characteristics of the students in both programs were compared. Methodology The samples were 378 Matayom Suksa Six students in Bangkok Metropolis who were studying in the first semester of the academic year 1986 in the Arts and Sciences programs. The instrument used was the questionnaire including as questions in various types: multiple choices, filling the blanks, and rating scales. SPSS was used in fuguring out the percentage, chi-square, standard diviation and t-test. Descriptions, tables and charts were used in reporting the results. Summary, discussions and recommendations were offered. Findings The findings of the study can be summed up as follows: Generally, most of the students were girls, seventeen years of age on the average. They didn't pay attention in the study, liked to study Physical Education and liked to read newspapers. Having an opportunity to attend the university was very meaningful. They aimed at entering Chulalongkorn University and the most popular field for Arts students was Mass Media, and for Science students was Pharmacy. Upon graduation they intended to work in Bangkok. Results of the comparative study among four dimensions of characteristics under study indicated a significant difference at .01 level in reading scientific and technological books. The Science program students had better reading habits than their Arts counterparts. While Science students prefered Pharmacy, Arts students preferred Mass Media. Upon graduation, but Arts students significantly indicated more of such needs at .05 level. Recommendations A. For applications 1. Not all secondary school graduates should directly enter universities. Parants are urged to advise them to work of a while before further education opportunity later on. Teachers should provide students with proper vocational guidance. 2. Teachers should prepare students for further education in vocational colleges, not stressing only universities. 3. Teachers are advised to change teaching methods by emphasizing self-discovery of knowledge as a skill for further education in open university system and alleviate problems caused by influx of students into the closed university system. B. For Further Research 1. Longitudinal study of entering student characteristics should be conducted annually to serve as a basis for the understanding of student body in Higher Education Institutions. 2. Effective Models for linking Secondary Education with Higher Education should be developed.