The Differential Effects of College Experiences on Cognitive Outcomes Among First-Generation Subpopulations

Abstract

Study purpose was to evaluate how select college experiences affect cognitive outcomes among racial/ethnic populations of first-generation students.  A nationwide dataset consisting of the 2006 The Freshman Survey (TFS) and the 2010 College Senior Survey (CSS) was utilized to address the research question.  Findings from this study suggest that select college experiences positively affect cognitive outcomes, but the magnitudes of these effects vary for racial/ethnic subpopulations.