Predicting Grad School Performance

[niski]

http://blog.regehr.org/archives/147


I loved that one. What you guys have to say about it?

 

[Joy Pathak]

The most important predictor of grad student quality turned out to be whether the student arrived with a MS degree or not, followed closely by social security number and then phone number. GRE and GPA were not predictors at all.


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I liked that, and I agree with it 100%. PhD = Research. GRE and GPA are good way to distinguish and seperate but are not true predictors. Masters involves research usually and is a good predictor and leads to a good PhD since the student knows how to do research. The exceptions are the one who did research in undergrad at an extensive level and published it.

 

[Marko]

I believe the admission office plays a pivotal role in grad school performance. Most often they admitted students are less qualified for the program. For instance, MFE is one good example.

 

[bigbadwolf]

The most important predictor of grad student quality turned out to be whether the student arrived with a MS degree or not, followed closely by social security number and then phone number. GRE and GPA were not predictors at all.

Yes, but grad admissions directors are typically craven bureaucrats trying to cover their backsides. And for that purpose GREs and GPAs are ideal. In addition, to be fair, it's a factory system: large numbers of applicants and having to use some filtering device, no matter how pathetic. It's not like a century ago.

 

[Byron]

Interesting comment in the same article:

"Finally, we get lots of applications from India and China. It is suspected by many that a substantial number of scores from these places are bogus."

 

[bigbadwolf]

Interesting comment in the same article:

"Finally, we get lots of applications from India and China. It is suspected by many that a substantial number of scores from these places are bogus."

Hehe, that's no secret. Plus the "collaboration" the students engage in once they arrive at American universities, plus how they play nice with faculty. All presided over with benign indifference by administrations that just want to bilk them of tuition fees.