The utility of personality measures in the admissions process at the United States Naval Academy

Abstract

This study examined the ability of three personality measures to predict midshipmen attrition at the United States Naval Academy. More specifically, the study examined the ability of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Personal History Questionnaire to replace the Career Interest Score of the Strong Interest Inventory in the Naval Academy admissions formula and to better predict overall, voluntary, academic, and performance/conduct attrition. The data used were from the Naval Academy classes of 1995 to 2000. Logistic regression analysis was done using just the classes of 1995-1999. The class of 2000 was used in an out of sample prediction to test the validity of the study's attrition model. Results showed that the Career Interest Score is unable to predict attrition. Additionally, the addition of the MBTI and PHQ improved the predictive ability of the admissions formula for two of the four attrition variables modeled. The model was most effective in predicting voluntary attrition. Recommendations are made regarding the United States Naval Academy admissions policy and for future research in the subject area.