In Search of Effective Student Selection Indices in Higher-Education: Going Beyond Scholastic Achievement

Abstract

Academic studies are a demanding challenge, and individuals cope with it with varying levels of success. Despite the evidence of high levels of stress among college students in Israel, the US as well as a few EU countries, and in many cases alarming rates of dropout, universities and colleges rely on high school GPA and at times, a general mental ability test (e.g.: SAT, psychometric exams) to assess candidates’ suitability to their program of study. Such approach, however, ignores personal and interpersonal factors that may facilitate or hinder individuals’ development as both scholars and budding professionals, especially in care-related programs (e.g.: psychology, education, social work, etc.). The recently introduced concept of emotional intelligence holds promise as a framework for our understanding of individuals’ non-cognitive potentials for adaptation and effective performance. This preliminary study examines cognitive ability alongside emotional intelligence as two effective selection criteria for higher education. A sample of 126 College students located in Israel reported their high-school, psychometric exam and College GPA grades and filled out two measures of emotional intelligence: a self-report and an ability test format. The results showed the psychometric exam and the ability EI measures associated significantly with College GPA, while high-school and self-report EI grades did not. The results are briefly discussed to draw preliminary conclusions and elicit future research in this venue.