THE EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATIONS OF RURAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE STUDIED IN RELATION TO SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC FACTORS. QUESTIONNAIRES WERE ADMINISTERED TO AND COMPLETED BY 3,535 RURAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION WAS GATHERED BY PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH 992 STUDENTS. COUNSELORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND TEACHERS RATED A SAMPLE OF 400 STUDENTS ON ACADEMIC ABILITY AND OCCUPATIONAL SUITABILITY. PARENTS PROVIDED INFORMATION ON INCOME, EDUCATIONAL VALUES, AND ASPIRATIONS. CONTRARY TO EXPECTATION, THE STUDY DID NOT CONFIRM PREVIOUS FINDINGS CONCERNING THE ASPIRATIONS OF FARM BOYS AND GIRLS. MORE FARM BOYS THAN NONFARM BOYS ASPIRE TO ATTEND COLLEGE, BUT THE ASPIRATIONS ARE UNREALISTIC IN THE LIGHT OF COLLEGE EXPENSE AND THE INFLUENCE OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADES ON COLLEGE SUCCESS. (RS)