A review of issues in professional school admission policy includes a brief history of admissions; notes on contract theory as it pertains to the student school relationship; and notes on admission procedures, publication requirements, applicant information, race, testing, age, disabilities, moral character, and residence. (MSE)

A Stanford University (California) statement on affirmative action examines the trends that have led to the current debate and explains the institution's policy concerning admissions, particularly its commitment to a substantial cultural and ethnic diversity in the student population. The arbitrary nature of racial, ethnic, and minority…

A study identified overall changes in college-going behavior before and after the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant program, based on a comparison of the high school graduating classes of 1972 and 1982. Results suggest that federal efforts to increase access to higher education have been constrained by heavy reliance on test scores in college…

Although women's enrollment at leading institutions of science and engineering have risen significantly in recent years, they still frequently make up less than one-third of the student population, despite women's high academic qualifications. Many institutions admit more women than men, but women are choosing other colleges and careers. Women…

The IELTS test is widely accepted by university admissions offices as evidence of English language ability. The test is also used to guide decisions about the amount of language study required for students to satisfy admissions requirements. Guidelines currently published by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes…

A discussion of the admission examination to the University of Ottawa's graduate program in interpretation describes the three types of instruments used (oral test, written test, and interview), their measurement of six important interpreter characteristics, and work in progress to evaluate the test's reliability. (MSE)

A proper proportion of low-income participants and children of color should be identified for gifted/talented education programs. A modified quota system can be implemented by combining the use of intelligence tests and behavioral scales with individualized selection procedures that provide special consideration for poor, minority, and handicapped…

Statistical methods employed by Alexander and Pallas do not negate the differences between public and private school students' achievement. Instead, their work supports the conclusion that Catholic schools help average students achieve by increasing the likelihood of their enrollment in the academic track and by enhancing their performance in the…

Results of a survey of 511 institutions concerning the organization and administration of both traditional early admission programs and early admission of exceptionally gifted children are reported. Information is included on: program origin; restrictions on credits, sessions, and course level; special counseling; recruitment; agreements with high…

A University of Toronto effort to develop an accurate measure of affective characteristics in pharmacy school applicants to replace the interview resulted in development of a self-assessment instrument. It was found that a combination of overall grade point average, pharmacy college entrance examination verbal and reading scores, problem-solving…

A federal court ruling to desegregate Louisiana state colleges and universities would require substantial changes, including creation of a single governing board and system, designation of Louisiana State University as a selective flagship institution, creation of a community college system, reduction of program duplication, and affirmative…

This study examines the academic performance of second language (L2) applicants who are admitted to a university on the basis of the number of years completed in English-medium secondary school. Such language-residency requirements are underexamined in the research literature. Results from the first 2 years of a 4-year longitudinal study indicate…

In response to the Bakke decision, it is suggested that efforts must be made to enlarge and improve the pool of qualified minority applicants to colleges and professional schools. Suggested improvements in elementary and secondary schools and increased community efforts will help to alleviate this problem. (BH)

John Lee's little-known 1984 study "Tomorrow's Teachers" shows that potential teachers' grade-point averages during 1974-83 did not decline or differ from other majors' GPAs. A 1996 UCLA study documents resistance to outcomes-based education at 10 schools. Well-educated parents of former high-track students pressured administrators to resegregate…

New Jersey's response to high teacher demand was to institute provisional certification and followup training, make basic teacher education program reforms, eliminate reassignment of teachers outside of the field of certification, enact a minimum salary, begin a teachers' scholarship program, recruit minorities, and establish professional…