The study analyzed data on 10,000 students with disabilities who took the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) between 1979 and 1983. It also examined college admissions policies toward such youth in terms of academic performance, minority status, parental income, and other characteristics. Major findings included the following: (1) the SAT performance…

Although competition at top colleges may be stiff, there are ways to improve the chances of admission, including: careful high school course and extracurricular activity selection to highlight academic, creative, leadership, initiative, and maturity characteristics; application and interview approaches; college choice; and timing. (MSE)

Describes a study of variables associated with student intentions to attend community colleges or other higher education institutions, based on responses to the student profile section of the American College Testing Assessment Program. Indicates that community college students were generally lower achievers than others but had taken more advanced…

Data from graduate student applications at a large Western university were used to determine which factors were the best predictors of success in graduate school, as defined by cumulative graduate grade point average. Two statistical models were employed and compared: artificial neural networking and simultaneous multiple regression. Both models…

The research evidence for selecting students in higher education with and without regard to race and sex is examined to assist admissions officers in light of the 1978 Bakke decision, which seems to give schools the option to use race in admissions decisions. Three clusters of studies supporting the consideration of race-sex subgroups in…

This study was conducted in the radiologic technology department of East Tennessee State University to determine if existing criteria and procedures accurately predict an applicant's potential for the successful completion of program requirements. The 70 students admitted to the program were ranked utilizing standardized evaluation methodology…

In an attempt to provide improved First Time in College (FTIC) enrollment predictions, this study followed exploratory techniques seeking to differentiate yield rates among FTIC applicants based on one or more of the following source characteristics: Geographical Location, Single or Multiple Institution applications, Race/Ethnicity and Sex, High…

A survey of 111 campus recruiters of graduating students shows agreement that interviews are the most important selection method. Students' verbal communication skills, character, work experience, and academic performance were judged the most important personal characteristics in applicants. Work-related expectations and attitudes were the most…

Progress toward the full participation of minorities in higher education during the past three decades is reviewed. Attention is directed to: the potential pool of qualified high school graduates who could enter postsecondary education; the participation and enrollment rates of minorities; factors related to retention and success in undergraduate…

Performance of limited-English speaking graduate school applicants on the Prueba de Admision para Estudios Graduados aptitude test is compared with Graduate Record Examination results, and the validity of the two tests as predictors of academic success for bilingual doctoral students in the New York University Puerto Rico program is examined. (MSE)

This study used data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS) to analyze critical issues affecting the preparation and diversity of the postsecondary applicant pool. Participants were 14,914 respondents, including 1,685 African Americans, who completed all four waves of the NELS. Overall, about two-thirds of all students expected to…

Conducted as part of a larger study, this study attempted to describe and compare academic achievement of students who intended to enter selected faculties (education, engineering, arts and sciences) of the University of Regina (Canada) in the fall of 1982 and 1983 and who graduated from Saskatchewan high schools. This group totaled 3,632 of whom…

The use of admission interview comments to predict clinical clerkship success of medical students was evaluated. Narrative comments made by admissions interviewers regarding an applicant's skills and attitudes were coded, as were narrative evaluations of these students during year III of required clerkships in pediatrics and internal medicine in…

The process of developing a medical school applicant interview that focuses on nonacademic student attributes is described. Monash University (Australia) looked at four personal attributes in evaluating applicants for undergraduate medical education: (1) quality of motivation; (2) appropriateness of cognitive style; (3) appropriateness of…

The report provides an overview of the academic preparation of a sample of prospective candidates for the ministry. Data were drawn from the records of approximately 12,000 students taking the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) from 1981-1988. It was found that during this period, 1,000-1,500 applicants to Masters of Divinity programs took the GRE…