An investigation into the effect of the public relations activities at foundation universities on the students' preferences or choices of universities

Throughout the history, universities have been the places where information has been produced, interpreted, enriched and transmitted. In parallel with globalisation; information, technology, humanity, learners and academic members' flow and alteration have grown fast. Higher education institutions, with features of producing and transmitting information, inspiring innovative and critical point of view, and upbringing qualified work force, has the potential of directing the community's future. Accordingly the causes in electing between public and private universities, which are increasing in number, show an alteration and progress. Nowadays, those are evaluated in a variety of criteria in addition to taking the location, campus and academic members into consideration. As a consequence of rapid improvement in technology, information and communication technologies has caused the expectations to grow up at the present time. This circumstance makes competition between universities gain currency. Maintaining their existence, keeping their occupancy rates up, achieving success and comprising the necessary innovations of the time have great importance for the universities. Universities' familiarity, organization and public relation works in addition to their locations, academic staff, success and education offered within their bodies also plays an important role for the students as candidates. In this study, a literature review of higher education institutions and public relation work is made, and a survey participated by a sample group of private university students in İstanbul is demonstrated. Keywords: University, Public relations, Foundation University, State University, Higher Education, Council of Higher Education