College Match and Geography of Opportunity: A Case Study

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: Readiness, Fit, and Match: Implications for College Access

Abstract

This paper examined the impact of participation in GEAR UP on college match and first year persistence. Academic undermatching occurs when a student enrolls in less competitive college than the student’s academic rigor. Undermatching and lower persistence occurs more often for underrepresented students. The results of this study indicated that GEAR UP participation increased the odds of college match, but not persistence. However, students who met match standards were more likely to persistence than students who did not academically match. This research contributes to the higher education literature by highlighting the impact and importance of a pre-college access program (i.e., GEAR UP) on factors related to college enrollment and retention.

Authors

• Meghan Ecker-Lyster, University of Kansas

• Sabrina C Gregersen, University of Kansas

• Joanna Grace Sullivan, The University of Kansas