The relationship between entry age and academic achievement for UNBC's graduation cohorts

Abstract

Specifically, in response to the changes in student demographics and the location and characteristics of the University of Northern British Columbia, this project examined and evaluated the effect of entry age upon academic achievement for UNBC's graduation cohorts. Participants consisted of2426 graduates (1998 -2003 classes) with entry ages ranging from 17 to 67. Regression analysis was used. Entry age, Gender, Attendance Patterns (Part-time/Full-time), Admission Types were weak predictors of academic achievement for UNBC graduates. Admission GP A was the best predictor across all age ranges, which coincides with current research. The entire cohort was then split into three groups (Youngest =17-20.99, Middle= 21-29.99 and Oldest = 30+). The results were broadly consistent with previous studies on academic achievement measures for the various age groups. When the effect sizes were calculated for these groups, the differences were trivial. Therefore, when attending UNBC, students will have an equal chance of high academic achievement no matter what their entry age, gender, attendance pattern, admit type or admission GP A.-11 -