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will stay in engineering is narrower for sophomores than for first-year students, and<br />

practically non-existent for juniors. That females start out with less self-confidence than<br />

males is similar <strong>to</strong> findings in previous studies (Dresselhaus, 1985; McIlwee and<br />

Robinson, 1992); what is notable is <strong>the</strong> narrowing of <strong>the</strong> gender gap in later portions of<br />

<strong>the</strong> undergraduate program, as women’s self-confidence appears <strong>to</strong> increase.<br />

However, this pattern does not continue for <strong>the</strong> seniors. Senior females do not have<br />

more confidence than junior females; in fact, <strong>the</strong>ir confidence that <strong>the</strong>y will stay in<br />

engineering is a little lower than that of junior females. As a result, among seniors <strong>the</strong><br />

gender gap in confidence that <strong>the</strong>y will stay in engineering is again wide for seniors –<br />

almost as wide as it was for first-year students.<br />

Confidence in Engineering Abilities<br />

Self-confidence in engineering abilities does not follow <strong>the</strong> same pattern. Self-<br />

confidence does not vary linearly by year in <strong>the</strong> program for ei<strong>the</strong>r males or females, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> gender gap fluctuates from one year <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> next, widest in <strong>the</strong> sophomore year and<br />

again in <strong>the</strong> senior year (Figure IID-2).<br />

IID-132

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