Engineering Students' Mid-College Academic Achievement and Needs Upon Entering College: An Exploratory Study

• In Event: A Special Focus on Students of Engineering

Abstract

This study explored the predictive relationship between incoming engineering students’ needs and their mid-college academic achievement through a hierarchical regression analysis using their mid-college grade point average (GPA). Findings revealed (a) prior academic achievement as the strongest predictor of engineering students’ mid-college academic achievement; and that (b) engineering students’ needs upon entering college could contribute to the prediction of mid-college academic achievement statistically significantly above and beyond the controlled predictors with a small effect size only. All these insights suggest that it is reasonable to take into account incoming engineering students’ needs and address them on time thereby being able to compensate for any drawbacks that may emanate from low levels of pre-college readiness.

Authors

• Kadir Kozan, Purdue University

• Muhsin Menekse, Purdue University

• Saira Anwar, University of Florida