THE ACADEMIC PREPARATION, ASPIRATIONS, AND FIRST-YEAR PERFORMANCE OF FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

This study compared the academic preparation, aspirations, and first-y ear college performance of first-generation college freshmen with othe r freshmen at Indiana State University. A survey of 2,190 freshmen pro vided a comparison of mean SAT scores, class ranks, high school grade point averages, self-predicted first-semester college grades, academic degree aspirations, first-semester dropout rate, first-semester grade s, and first-year retention of the two groups. First-generation studen ts had lower SAT scores and high school grade point averages, but no d ifference was found in class ranks. Predicted first-semester grades an d academic degree aspirations were both lower for first-generation stu dent. First-generation students were more likely to drop out during th e first semester, had lower first-semester grades, and were less likel y to return for their second year.