Determining Predictors of Success for the United States Army's Fully Funded Graduate Program

摘要

This study was designed to determine predictors of success for selecting Army officers to attend fully funded graduate school. The objective was to develop prediction models to assist decision makers in selecting the best qualified officers. The study examined the records of 1201 officers who attended fully funded graduate school during fiscal years 1982, 1983, and 1984. The officers were grouped into either administrative or academic classification categories. Administrative categories included branch, division, and source of commission, and academic categories included graduate discipline, graduate degrees awarded, and graduate school. The study examined the following predictor commissioned service, prior enlisted or warrant officer service undergraduate grade point average, class standing, standardized exam scores, (GRE and GMAT), and years since undergraduate degree. The criterion used for this study was graduate grade point average. Using regression analysis, the study found different predictor-criterion relationships for each classification, as well as a few more broadly applicable predictors. Missing data due to different record-keeping procedures across branches limited the potential usefulness of the results. The significant and meaningful predictors found should encourage career managers to improve their current procedures and begin to maintain information to permit further improvement in selection procedures as data become available.