Progress of Merit Scholars: Does Religious Background Matter?

This study attempted to determine whether the career progress of Merit Scholars was significantly related to their early religious backgrounds. Information about religious backgrounds and post-college religious preferences was obtained from 1,324 students who received Merit awards in 1956 and 1957. Other information concerning: family background, father's occupation, family income, scholastic ability, academic achievements and aspirations, career choices, activities and marital status, political positions, and importance of goals, was collected between 1956 and 1965. The Scholars were compared on these variables according to their religious background and their sex. (Author)