This article describes briefly the education system of Cyprus and elaborates on the recent changes in its large-scale assessment (LSA) programme. Until 2005, two independent LSA programmes existed: one for school-graduation purposes and one for gaining entrance to higher education. The introduction of a dual-purpose LSA program in 2006, due to…

Strategic planning is an important tool, but the sole dependence on it across departments and campuses has resulted in the underutilization of equally important methods of analysis. The evolution of higher and postsecondary education necessitates a systemic industry analysis, as the combination of new providers and delivery mechanisms and changing…

Peer nomination (the practice of student selection of the outstanding students in each class) is suggested as the best criterion for identifying which medical students are likely to become the best overall physicians. A study comparing admissions information for award finalists and their classmates is described. (Author/MLW)

Ireland's computerized, national system of university admission, which assigns all students to institutions simultaneously, and Britain's system using a single set of admissions forms and centrally coordinated admissions, suggest that centralization can be an efficient and cost-effective method of linking students with colleges in the United…

Students who were awarded university fellowships for their first year of study at a major research university were compared to nonfellowship students. The students' completion of the Ph.D. and the time required to obtain the degree were assessed. Data for about 3,200 Northwestern University students were analyzed. Three models were developed for…

Included are three studies, each dealing with an aspect of comparative validity of the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) at selective colleges. The first study considered the predictive efficiency of the ACT test scores and ACT test scores plus high school grades at 120 colleges, separated into three groups…

Studies of the predictive validity of the Dental Admission Test have been reported, but none suggest how an admissions committee should assess the scores of applicants who take the test twice. Improvement on the test scores might compromise their utility for purposes of student selection. (Author/MLW)

Comparative data are gathered on (1) the institutional and nontransferrable fellow awards and (2) individual and portable awards of the Danforth Fellowship program. Results indicate that students attending elite universities will overwhelm their competitors in a national competition that is academically oriented and that open competition does not…

Data from a national survey of Graduate Management Admission Test registrants provide information on characteristics of the first job respondents held after graduation, use of school-based job-placement and related job-search services, and use of placement services not provided by the schools. Data are compared for schools at four levels of…

In a survey of a national, stratified random sample of graduate medical educational program directors regarding the way they selected their residents, the interview was found to be the most important selection variable. The results indicate that the recent increase in competition for residency positions has increased the importance of academic…

Media ranking of colleges is often superficial and only further confuses families and prospective students. In addition, some colleges are excluding students to present a "selective" profile. Rationality in admissions can return, when parents and students become knowledgeable about the process, counselors interpret changes, and colleges give…

Differences among college types and among selectivity levels that may affect women's career aspirations were studied. Graduates of six women's colleges and nine coeducational colleges were compared for three levels of admission selectivity in relation to level of the organizational ladder being pursued, innovativeness of chosen career, and plans…

A study that investigated whether or not those accepted to medical school distinguish themselves from nonaccepted applicants in regard to selected personal characteristics is reported. The findings indicated that science and nonscience majors did not differ in their academic credentials for medical school. (Author/MLW)

A study is reported that compared a group of 24 applicants who were interviewed and accepted at the Yale University School of Medicine but went to other medical schools with a group who attended the same schools but had been rejected at Yale following an interview and committee deliberation. (Author/MLW)

A study investigated the relationship between undergraduate admissions selectivity at 40 research universities and academic rigor of course examination questions, as determined by the level of understanding required. Results suggest that more selective institutions do not provide more academically rigorous instruction than less selective ones.…