哪類孩子最受教? 從政大校務資料看學生表現

This study uses the 2002–2015 administrative data of National Chengchi University to compare the performance of students entering through different tracks. Academically speaking, students admitted through high-school referral (REFER) performed the best, followed by those admitted through individual applications (APPLY). Students entering via joint examination and placement (JEP) on average performed least favorably. However, the academic difference between APPLY and JEP students were mainly due to their academic preparation before entering university. In particular, once we controlled for their score difference in the General Scholastic Ability Test (GSAT), academic performance in the university between APPLY and JEP students disappeared after 2007. On the other hand, REFER students still showed a strong academic advantage even after we controlled for GSAT scores. Also, we found that REFER and APPLY students were more willing to participate in school activities and join student clubs, though a substantial portion of this inclination can be explained by their GSAT scores. Finally, we devise an index to measure the scholastic match of each student to his/her department of study. The results suggest that since 2011, APPLY and JEP students on average have lower scores on this index, especially the ones from low PR high schools and low income areas.