The growing concern of doctoral student persistence has increased exponentially in higher education over the past decade. The body of research presented in this dissertation examines the complex phenomenon of persistence and possible pathways to addressing the dilemma of deteriorating academic persistence for doctoral students. It explores and…

There is interest in admission criteria that predict future success in biomedical graduate school programs, but identifying predictors of PhD attainment is inherently complex. In particular, high noncompletion rates of PhD programs have long been recognized as a major crisis. Here, we present a quantitative analysis of the PhD students enrolled in…

An analysis of 1955 physics graduate students from 19 Ph.D. programs shows that undergraduate grade point average predicts graduate grades and Ph.D. completion more effectively than GRE scores. Students' undergraduate GPA (UGPA) and GRE Physics (GRE-P) scores are small but statistically significant predictors of graduate course grades, while GRE…

Data on test familiarity effects on Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) analytical ability scores (EJ 304 980) were reanalyzed. Little difference was found among subgroups: age, ethnic groups, degree aspiration, English language dominance, and GRE scores. Test preparation included practice, knowledge of results, and strategies for each item type.…

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Aptitude and Advanced Tests were evaluated as predictors of a dichotomous criterion of whether or not the candidate attained the doctorate within a specified length of time. More specifically, the project attempted to define subgroups for which the GRE tests have varying degrees of validity, and to provide…

Correlation coefficients between graduate grade point average and each of three predictor variables, consisting of Graduate Record Examinations-Verbal score, Graduate Record Examination-Quantitative score, and undergraduate grade point average, were calculated for each of the six subgroups. Results showed differential predictability across the…

The degree objectives of prospective graduate students from the various ethnic groups were investigated in this study by using the extensive (200,000 plus) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) registrant population of 1976-1977. GRE scores, undergraduate grade point average, and being a male were the important predictors of students' expectations of…

GRE verbal and quantitative scores and undergraduate grade point average were evaluated as predictors of multiple measures of long-term graduate school success. The measures of success were cumulative graduate grade point average and faculty ratings on three student characteristics: mastery of the discipline, professional productivity, and…

This study focused on gender differences in examining the extent to which Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores predicted subsequent achievement. Data on 275 graduate students in professional psychology programs at a large midwestern university were collected and analyzed. Two methods for the identification of prediction bias were used and…

Degree objectives of prospective graduate students from eight ethnic groups were investigated using the Graduate Record Examinations(GRE) registrant population of 1976-1977. GRE scores, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), and being a male were important predictors of students' expectations of obtaining a doctor's rather than a master's…

This study sought to determine the usefulness of undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores as predictors of the time it takes to complete a Master of Science degree. It examined six variables taken from the files of 100 students who had completed Master of Science degrees in geology at Bowling Green University…

Fully addressing most problems clients bring to therapy usually requires more than one session. Some student therapists seem to be more capable than others of engaging clients and promoting more visits when warranted. To discover whether graduate admissions information can predict a psychologist-trainee's ability to readily engage clients, data…

The importance of item difficulty (equated delta) was explored as a predictor of differential item functioning of Black versus White examinees for 4 verbal item types using 13 Graduate Record Examination forms and 11 Scholastic Aptitude Test forms. Several significant racial differences were found. (TJH)

Using a data base compiled by the Graduate School of Northwestern University, a longitudinal study of the graduate school careers of 2,211 students in 14 programs was conducted. Among the most prominent findings was the increase in the enrollment of foreign students. The patterns of attainment of graduate school milestones, such as Ph. D.…

Examines relationship between admission criteria and academic performance among 654 master's in social-work (MSW) students in one state university, 1985-1992. Test scores on a pre-graduation comprehensive exam measured academic achievement. Results indicate two admissions criteria, undergraduate grade point average and Graduate Record Examination…