1. An Equal Opportunity University Transitions from High School to the University of Kentucky Mike Mullen Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

2. 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

3. An Equal Opportunity University Kentucky’s Flagship Most comprehensive research university in Commonwealth 27,000 students (70% undergrads) Diverse student population

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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”

7. 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

8. An Equal Opportunity University What does it take to succeed at UK? 2004 Phone Survey of First-Years Not Returning

9. 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

10. 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: –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”

11. An Equal Opportunity University What does it take to succeed at UK? UK R ETENTION S TUDIES P OINT T O I MPORTANCE OF S TRONG G RADES O VER A LL IN H IGH S CHOOL 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 –Retention after first year = 61%-70% –Graduation within 6 years = 39-49%

12. 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

13. An Equal Opportunity University First Year Student Profile Head- count Of Color Female STEM Major Starting in Under- graduate Studies Students in Fall 2008 407915.7%51.2%26.1%23.9%

14. An Equal Opportunity University First Year Student Profile Fall 2008 cohort majors Fall ‘08Fall ‘09 % retained at UK In STEM discipline 1,06486781.48% Not in STEM discipline 3,0152,40879.97%

15. An Equal Opportunity University Barriers to Success Too close to home and not getting involved at UK Keeping same work hours/job as in high school Low ACT mathematics sub-scores Low HS GPA and live off campus during first year Display lack of curiosity or critical inquiry skills

16. 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 (of 324) 24.917.438.76% CHE 105 1,353 (of 1,843) 26319332.08%

17. 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 (of 431) 215.5177.519.44% MA 113 509 (of 804) 33.521.238.90%

18. An Equal Opportunity University What can we do about it? Together, KY high schools and UK can…