Effects of gender, socioeconomic status, and early academic performance onpostsecondary educational choice

National data were used to study the effects of gender, socioeconomic state s (SES), and 4 types of eighth-grade academic performance on postsecondary educational choices at late adolescence. Educational choices were classifie d by predominant Holland type (R, I, A, S, E, C). Gender had strongest inde pendent influences on educational choice. Gender also interacted with SES a nd academic performance. Relationships between SES and educational choice w ere stronger for women than for men. For women, eighth-grade reading scores were the strongest predictor of educational choice, whereas for men, mathe matics scores were the strongest predictor. Implications for theory and cou nseling practice are discussed.