Transitions
from High School to
the University of
Kentucky
Mike Mullen
Associate Provost for
Undergraduate Education
An Equal Opportunity University
Objectives
•
•
•
Placement strategies in place for math,
English and reading
New emphasis on science readiness in
transitions from high school to college
introductory science courses
Student success in general at UK and in
introductory science courses
An Equal Opportunity University
Kentucky’s Flagship
•
Most comprehensive research university in
Commonwealth
•
27,000 students (70% undergrads)
•
Diverse student population
An Equal Opportunity University
UK’s Areas of Excellence
•
•
•
•
•
•
Health care sciences
Digital and
nanotechnologies
Environmental and
energy studies
Plant bioengineering
Public policy
Undergraduate research
An Equal Opportunity University
What does it take to
succeed at UK?
UK RETENTION STUDIES
Half of all students who fail to earn a bachelor’s
degree drop out during or just after first year
80.33% 2008 retention rate
UK has highest retention/graduation rates in KY
An Equal Opportunity University
What does it take to
succeed at UK?
Retention rates highly correlate to:
• Student expectations of college life
–
–
–
•
Studying outside of class
Work hours per week
Social life on campus or other college engagement
activities/events
Student perception of UK as a “good fit”
An Equal Opportunity University
What does it take to
succeed at UK?
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY
•
•
•
3.5 HS GPA will mean 2.7 at UK
65% think they will graduate in four years
– 30% actually do
78% say they studied less than 5 hours/week in high school
–
63% freshmen say they study more than 5 hours/week
An Equal Opportunity University
What does it take to
succeed at UK?
2004 Phone Survey of First-Years Not Returning
An Equal Opportunity University
What does it take to
succeed at UK?
• 48.5% of first-year students who did
not return in 2005 had earned a 2.0
or higher UK GPA
• Half of UK’s first-year students from
the 2002 cohort who did not return
had enrolled in another KY institution
An Equal Opportunity University
What does it take to
succeed at UK?
First year students who passed all their classes
at UK tended to have:
–
–
–
–
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High school GPAs of 3.5 and above
Took AP courses in high school
Studied 10+ hrs/week during their HS senior year
Identified with being a good student
Self-reported a “drive to achieve”
An Equal Opportunity University
What does it take to
succeed at UK?
UK RETENTION STUDIES POINT TO IMPORTANCE OF
STRONG GRADES OVER ALL IN HIGH SCHOOL
• Students with 3.5+ HS GPA and 20+ ACT
–
–
•
Retention after first year = 80%-90%
Graduation within 6 years = 61-75%
Students with less than 3.5 HS GPA or <20 ACT
–
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Retention after first year = 61%-70%
Graduation within 6 years = 39-49%
An Equal Opportunity University
First Year Student Profile
For UK's first-year students entering in 2008,
the mid-50 percent* ranges were:
• ACT Composite: 22 - 27
• SAT I Total: 1020 - 1230
• High School Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.2-3.8
* "mid-50 percent" means that 25% of the cohort
was above the top scores and 25% were below the
lower score
An Equal Opportunity University
First Year Student Profile
Students
in Fall
2008
Headcount
Of
Color
4079
15.7%
An Equal Opportunity University
Female
STEM
Major
Starting
in Undergraduate
Studies
51.2%
26.1%
23.9%
First Year Student Profile
Fall 2008
cohort majors
Fall ‘08
Fall ‘09
% retained
at UK
In STEM
discipline
1,064
867
81.48%
Not in STEM
discipline
3,015
2,408
79.97%
An Equal Opportunity University
Barriers to Success
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Too close to home and not getting involved at UK
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Keeping same work hours/job as in high school
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Low ACT mathematics sub-scores
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Low HS GPA and live off campus during first year
•
Display lack of curiosity or critical inquiry skills
An Equal Opportunity University
Barriers to Success
Uncertainty for success in intro sciences courses
Fall ‘08
courses
50% FY
# First
Year
students
Avg #
per
class
Avg # FYs
per class
% Rate
D, E, W
grades
CS 115
209
24.9
17.4
38.76%
263
193
32.08%
CHE 105
(of 324)
1,353
(of 1,843)
An Equal Opportunity University
Barriers to Success
Uncertainty for success in intro sciences courses
Fall ‘08
courses
50% FY
# First
Year
students
Avg #
per
class
Avg # FYs
per class
% Rate
D, E, W
grades
ANA 109
355
215.5
177.5
19.44%
33.5
21.2
38.90%
MA 113
An Equal Opportunity University
(of 431)
509
(of 804)
What can we do about it?
Together, KY high schools
and UK can…
An Equal Opportunity University