There are some exceptions to these principles, e.g. when the second institution involves a study abroad semester. The type and amount of remediation matters in relation to degree completion. But there is a class of students whose deficiencies in preparation are minor and can be remediated quickly without excessive damage to degree completion rates. As reported by students, these data are uneven and unreliable. One out of six students would not even venture a guess as to their parents' education.
Students change status from term to term.
Part-year enrollment may be more important than light credit loads. Most importantly, students change status within a given term, by dropping, withdrawing from, or leaving incomplete large portions of their credit loads. This is the most elaborate construction in the study. It includes Carnegie units in 6 academic areas, accounts for highest mathematics studied, remedial work in English and math, and advanced placement. The construction results in a criterion-referenced scale with 40 gradations.