Those who design admissions policies and procedures are the gatekeepers of higher education, and thereby play a role in shaping the direction of human society. Every year selective universities face the difficult challenge of sifting through the application materials of millions of high school graduates and deciding which applicants should be…

Admissions committee members often speak of "it" as an important consideration during the admissions process; however, empirical evidence documenting the efficacy of "it" as a basis for admission is scarce. The purpose of this research was to test the validity of student-institution it as a significant predictor of college success--specifically,…

Prospective graduate students select a graduate program as a result of a multifaceted decision-making process. This study examines the selection criteria that part-time MBA students used in selecting a program at a private university. Further, it analyzes the methods by which the students first learned of the MBA program. The authors posed the…

A study was conducted at a school of social work to determine the effectiveness of student decisions compared to faculty admissions decisions. Faculty predicted the performance of applicants they rated more successfully than did students. Clearly-determined admission criteria are needed to predict student performance. (SW)

A study focused on two questions: whether the admissions rating scheme of Stanford University could effectively predict academic performance and whether students with different abilities gravitate to different academic departments. The relationship between academic performance and affiliation and such characteristics as sex and ethnic group were…

Students admitted to medical school after three and four years of college were compared on seven admission variables and three measures of medical school performance. The two groups differed significantly on three admission variables but could not be distinguished on the basis of measures of medical school performance. (SW)

This study analyzed the retention and completion rates of international students seeking a master's degree at an American university. Records of 866 international students from 1987-2002 were investigated. Of these, 622 graduated, 92 dropped out of the program, and 152 are still active. Predictor variables analyzed to determine retention to degree…

A study of Black and White 1974 freshmen explored computing graduation predictions for admissions use. Sex, race, residency, major, high school rank, high school size, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, and predicted grade point average were used as predictors. Correct predictions occurred for 64.5 percent of Blacks, 57.65 percent of Whites. (MSE)

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the feasibility of accounting for student performance in advanced high school coursework through the adjustment of high school grade point average (HSGPA) while separating out variables that are independently considered in the admission process, e.g., SAT/ACT scores, community affluence, type of…

A retrospective study of the quantitative and qualitative variables that were the best predictors of successful completion of a bachelor's degree in physical therapy supports continued use of qualitative measures such as interviews and does not support certain traditional quantitative variables. (MSE)

A statistical analysis of the predictive potential of academic and nonacademic student characteristics in an architecture school provides a model for other institutions to make their admissions processes and programs for retention more effective. The study was of 10 freshman architecture classes at the University of Kansas. (MSE)

The Freshman Index, a combination of SAT score and high school grade point average, is the primary mechanism facilitating admissions decisions at Georgia State University. This article examines the relationships between these three admissions criteria and the graduating grade point averages of Asian, Black, and White six-year graduates.…

Proceedings of the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers which relate to graduate and professional education are summarized. Names and institutions of conference participants are included. (MSE)