In a sample of 122 African-American college students, internalized racial identity, academic classification, and parents' educational attainment were significantly related to hope. Internalized racial identity was related to vocational identity for women, but not for men. (SK)

Data from survey of 872 African-American students at predominantly white colleges and 928 at historically black colleges suggest that academic achievement is highest for students who have higher educational aspirations, positive faculty relationships, confidence in their college choice. Beyond individual characteristics, academic performance is…

Considers the hypothesis that Black women are inappropriately displacing Black men in professional roles and reviews research on the significance of gender in Black students' professional aspirations. Reports on a study which found that Black females continue to aspire to less prestigious professions than do their male counterparts. (KH)

The choice of college major by black college students was studied in 1982, and various theories about the choice of major were evaluated. The study group consisted of 2,090 college juniors and seniors attending eight four-year colleges that were primarily located in the South Atlantic region. Five of the institutions were predominantly black and…

Data on the income, race, sex, and age of college students from 1970 to 1980 are presented, and policy implications of the trends are considered. The most significant finding is that the college-going rates for full-time students from the lowest incomes (under $5,000) increased measurably (9.5 percent in 1974 to 14.3 percent in 1980). The…

After a critical review of research which deals with various aspects of aspirations, expectations and educational attainment, this study attempts to determine the social psychological antecedents of black educational levels of aspiration. The study is based upon data colledted from black sophomore students at a large, predominantly white…

Examines the reasons why many young black males choose not to pursue a college education, and why black females do. Utilizes results of a survey of 127 students attending a historically black college. (FMW)

Through naturalistic inquiry, the study reported in this book sought to determine the inner qualities that compel some black males to persist and overcome adversity, while others of their socioeconomic class quit and fail. The research was designed to identify the factors that led to the successful achievement of African American male students at…

A questionnaire administered to 1979 incoming freshmen at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was used to assess the effects of educational maturity on college choice. Educational maturity is defined by the student's certainty about college major and career choice. Results show that strength of the major department is the most frequent…

A speech delivered at the National Association of College Deans, Registrars and Admissions Officers on March 16, 1980 in Alabama, presents a case for the continued existence of Black colleges. Suggests Black colleges have an important role in educating Black youth and recommends improvements for Black colleges. (RC)

This study explored factors contributing to the educational aspirations of African American students. An underlying assumption of the study was that the paradigm for looking at aspirations as a key predictor of later attainment in college students may work differently for black students than for the general population. The study involved data…

A study was done of Summer Research Opportunity Programs (SROPs) sponsored by graduate schools across the nation to encourage minority undergraduate students to pursue academic careers. Eight United States colleges and universities were selected for the study: Purdue University (Indiana), University of California at Los Angeles, Stanford…

This study used naturalistic inquiry methods to examine reasons why some members of minority groups, despite discouraging odds, persist in the sciences or science related disciplines. Interviews were conducted with 10 African American upperclassmen majoring in natural science or science related disciplines at a predominately white coeducational…

The Longitudinal Student Success Study was a six-year study to identify factors associated with to student success at a large Eastern community college. The study focused on American Black students as one group of students likely to have different background characteristics and preparedness levels than what generally facilitates success at a…