OPA produced briefing notes about the number of units students attempted in their first term, and how this related to normative graduation. For both freshman and transfer entrants, attempting fewer than 13 units was associated with lower normative graduation rates. However, very few students (3% of freshman entrants and 7% of transfer entrants) attempted fewer than 13 units in their first term and, presumably, these students underwent an approval process to be allowed a lighter load. For transfer entrants, there was no difference in normative graduation (2 years after entry) for students attempting 13-14.5 compared to 15 or greater units. For freshman entrants, the difference in normative graduation (4 years after entry) was reduced when controlling for demographic variables.
October 7, 2016