Admission Type and Female Students' Academic Success at Addis Ababa University: The Case of Social Science Students

Abstract

This study attempted to estimate the magnitude and pattern of
academic survival rates and to compara survival rates and achievements
among female students by type of admission. Longitudinal data on 289
fem~/e students who joined the College of Social Sciences Freshman
Programme at Addis Ababa University in September 1994 were considered.
The findings revealed that while the survival status among ~emale students
was very minimal, the survival status for female students admitted on quota
system was lower than the SUrvival rates for the regularly admitted female
students. The dropout rate among female students was as high as 41 % at
the freshman level (this was largely attributable to academic dismissal rather
than non·academic reasons), but the rate rapidly declined as the students
progressed to higher classes, and within four to six years of university
education about 60% managed to successfufJy complete their studies. On
the oth.er hand the average irend of academic achievement for successful
quota and regular female students increased as the students progressed in
their course of study. Implications of these results are discussed and
recommendations are given.