Participating in a health science research program significantly increased students' odds of persisting in their science major through the end of the first year of college.

Attending more selective institutions has a significantly negative effect on all students' likelihood to persist in their science major through the end of the first year.

However, attending institutions with higher percentages of students attaining bachelor's degrees in BBS fields significantly increases URM students' likelihood of persisting in their science major through the end of the first year.