Examines the effects of changes in provision of higher education in Australia between 1987 and 1996, focusing on the effects of expansion on college entry criteria, eligibility, and program availability. It is noted that this policy change has been characterized as an issue of fairness in competition for entry rather than as a selectivity issue.…

Describes the evolution of methods used in selecting students for the University of Southern California dental school's problem-based learning (PBL) program, discussing changes in policy based on experience over the program's three years. Comparisons are made with admission processes at some other health sciences schools around the world that are…

Reports two studies hypothesizing that nonintellectual learning dispositions are as important as intellectual assets in predicting college student success. One study was conducted with 298 low-risk francophone students in Canada; the second involved 179 academically at-risk students in the United States. Implications of the results for selection,…

Discusses the medical student characteristics associated with graduates' entering generalist careers, including initial specialty preference, geographic background, gender, age, ethnicity, economic/lifestyle factors, attitudes and personal values, service orientation, and premedical academic performance. Presents strategies medical schools can use…

The role of testing in determining college admissions and the impact of that testing on high school students are commanding increasing attention. There is emerging evidence that admissions decisions made solely on the basis of high school record can serve the college as well or better than decisions based, at least in part, on scores obtained on…

In 2001, Dr. Jordan Cohen, President of the AAMC, called for medical schools to consider using an Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) threshold to eliminate high-risk applicants from consideration and then to use non-academic qualifications for further consideration. This approach would seem to be consistent with the recent Supreme Court ruling…

While the role and importance of affirmative action continues to be debated, researchers have found that individuals evaluate affirmative action policies differently. However, few studies have examined how prospective graduate students view affirmative action policies in graduate school admission. This study attempts to uncover prospective…

This report summarizes results of a survey of 104 institutions belonging to the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) in June 1996 concerning the institutions' admissions policies for first-year students. The report also includes data from a national survey of first-time, full-time freshmen enrolling in the…

This book guides high school students and their families as they select and apply to college by suggesting significant questions, offering practical advice, and showing how to make the system work for the student and family. Chapter 1 discusses initial reflection about college including doing a self-assessment to focus the college search and…

This booklet identifies the minimum entrance requirements necessary for college admission in South Dakota's public universities and recommends specific content for each course in the curriculum, as well as additional experiences and skills that would smooth the transition to a higher education course. The following topics, targeted to students…

California State University, Fresno developed a comprehensive program to increase the number of minority students admitted into its teacher education program. The program, developed by the School of Education and Human Development (SOEHD), resulted from claims that the mandatory California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) impedes and…

The study examined student access to higher education in Florida by analyzing the state's current policy regarding student access and articulation, the statewide articulation agreement and the uniformity of its application, the limited access programs and their effect on student mobility, enrollment funding policies and their effect on student…

This study analyzed the academic and demographic characteristics of 2,939 students admitted to the University of Louisville (Kentucky) Preparatory Division (an academic/enrollment unit for all students initially inadmissible to a degree-granting unit) who achieved eligibility to transfer to a degree-granting unit of the University. It also…

This manual presents an admissions scattergram as a tool to help school counselors who are working with high school students making college decisions. The approach described in the manual encourages student initiative in exploring, discovering, and deciding by following a rational process of understanding how to make an appropriate decision. An…

The University of California's grading/credit policy for advanced placement (AP) courses taken by high school students is discussed. The university traditionally has encouraged high school students to take AP courses if they are prepared and mature enough to benefit from them. The university grants credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5 earned on AP…