How Early College Entrants Viewed Their College Experiences: Lessons in Hindsight

• In Event: Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Curricular and Programmatic Efforts in Gifted Education

Abstract

Early college entrance is a commonly implemented form of academic acceleration for advanced adolescent learners. Whether it produces desirable outcomes has been a research focus. However, the nature of such a program itself have not been scrutinized in terms of early entrants’ immediate experiences that have a direct bearing on early entrants’ learning and motivation, and personal growth and aspirations. This study used retrospective interview to solicit lived experiences of 47 graduates of a prestigious early college entrance program. The interview data based on the first-hand accounts of early college entrance experiences yielded insights into six facets of early college entrance program, which can be used to optimize learning and development of those follow this path of academic acceleration.

Authors

• David Yun Dai, University at Albany - SUNY

• Saiying Steenbergen-Hu, Northwestern University

• Stella (Xian) Li, University at Albany - SUNY