“I Kind of Backtracked a Little”: The Nonlinear College Choice Pathways of Rural Latinx Students

Leading college choice theories assume that all students follow linear paths to college. Applying a college-conocimiento framework, this article finds that rural Latinx students deviated from traditional, sequential pathways, experiencing reverse transfer, leaves of absence, changing transfer plans, and stopping out of college. Findings from several pláticas conducted over 4 years reveal that (a) institutional misalignment, (b) new passions, (c) financial responsibilities, and (d) familial relationships contributed to rural Latinx students’ nonlinear college choice pathways.