Phase I: CIRP Freshman Survey (SIF)

• Data collection completed Fall 2004, three papers and report, Aspiring Scientists, herinih@ucla.edu

• Key Findings

• Over two-thirds of URMs aspiring to major in BBS fields also aspire to achieve a graduate degree, but only 4.5% indicated a potential scientific research career (compared with 7.1 for white and 5.3% of Asian students).

• URM aspirants take fewer years of math and science that White/Asian counterparts

• Self-efficacy and goal development supercedes effect of academic credentials and background characteristics on aspirations to become a scientist

• More URM students report concerns about financing their college career and this has a negative impact on their intention to contribute to scientific research