A questionnaire was administered in the spring to 830 rural Iowa high school males to determine the perceived influence of 4 selected groups on their educational and occupational plans. Previous research studies have shown that residence (farm-nonfarm) is an important factor in a youth's vocational-educational decision. Statistical comparisons were made on the mean responses of the 394 students who planned to attend college and the 436 who planned not to attend college the following fall using t-tests. Data were analyzed to compare the college and non-college groups on the perceived influence exerted by parents, friends, counselors, and other adults. The results indicate that the college bound perceived significantly more influence from all sources than did the non-college bound in their educational plans. The significance between the groups was not as pronounced in the occupational plans. Tables give t-test results and a breakdown of responses to the questionnaire. (DB)