Correlates of success of graduates of a coordinated undergraduate program

Significant relationships were identified between dietetic student characteristics, several predictors of success, and success variables. Grades earned during the junior and senior college years were positively correlated, and the number of examinations on which the student failed to score 80% were negatively correlated with academic success in the preprofessional phase of the CUP. No relationship between professional behavior scores and any of the predictors was identified. Success in the registration examination for dietitians was positively correlated with both course grades and ACT scores; however, registration examination scores were not correlated with employers' assessments of the graduates' competence. Number of salary increases was significantly, positively related to extracurricular college activities, work experience, mathematics ACT scores, and preprofessional science grades. ACT scores, preprofessional science grades, and work experience prior to admission to the professional phase of the CUP were positively related to obtaining advanced degrees. Advanced degrees were also significantly, positively correlated with continuing education and dietetic association activities. The amount of professional and community involvement was best predicted from college extracurricular activities. Of all the predictors studied, preprofessional science grades and overall GPA were significantly, positively correlated with more success measures than any other predictors.