Prediction Of Sophomore Retention

The first-year engineering program at the University of Notre Dame is a general, non-disciplinespecific, two-semester course sequence intended to offer students exposure to cross-disciplinary projects that underlie the engineering approach, and to provide insight into their future study and work in the engineering profession. Course enrollments range from 300 to 400 students annually. Over seven years (Classes of 2005 through 2011, referring to the expected four-year graduation year of the entering first-year class), students have participated in in-class surveys three times during the course of the year: at the beginning and the end of the fall semester, and at the end of the spring semester. The survey questions related to, among other things, demographics, prior experiences, interests and future career goals. We analyzed the aggregate responses of these student cohorts for statistically significant differences, and evaluated the data in progressive regression models to predict student retention into the sophomore year (as determined by a student's self-selection at the end of first year to continue in an ABET-accredited engineering discipline).