Stereotypes of special admission students: peer perceptions of athlete and non-athlete special admit students.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different stereotypes that individuals, within a university’s general student population, held toward studentathletes and non-athlete students admitted to the university on a special admission basis (students admitted with requirements less than the stated minimum for admission). Two studies, one qualitative in nature and the other with a quantitative focus, were conducted to assess students’ perceptions of special admission students. The results of this study show that students from a university’s general population have more of a negative stereotype or perception of athlete special admissions, as compared to a non-athlete special admission student, when interacting in an academic setting. On the other hand, the general student population indicated a more positive perception for allowing special admission to athletes than they did for allowing special admission to non-athlete students.