skip to main content skip to footer

Methods for Analyzing the Attainment of Graduate School Milestones: A Case Study GREB GRE

Author(s):
Zwick, Rebecca J.; Braun, Henry I.
Publication Year:
1988
Report Number:
RR-88-30
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
82
Subject/Key Words:
Graduate Record Examinations Board, Case Studies, Enrollment Trends, Foreign Students, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), Graduate Study, Longitudinal Studies, Northwestern University

Abstract

Using a data base complied by the Graduate School of Northwestern University, a longitudinal study of the graduate school careers of students in fourteen 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. candidacy and graduation, were examined for each graduate program and for gender and ethnic groups. There was substantial variation across programs and, to a lesser degree, across demographic groups. Graduation rates for foreign students were higher than those for U.S. citizens. The association between the attainment of milestones and measures of academic potential, such as undergraduate grade-point average (UGPA) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, was also investigated. The likelihood of attaining candidacy or of completing a doctorate was found to bear little relation to UGPA and GRE scores. This finding is probably a result of the use of UGPA and GRE in the selection of students into graduate programs

Read More