How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, citizenship status or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan?

For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking or are undocumented or DACAmented, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. If you will be a graduate student with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), it is important to mention DACA in your personal statement since this is a consideration for some financial aid.

Here is my info:

My parents both have high school degree and I am the first generation having bachelor degree.

My major is math, applying for Actuarial Science in masters program.

I grow up in Beijing, China.

I am an international student who just graduated from University of Washington.

Male.

Hope you can write a great essay and you can always ask me for more info about me.

Thanks!

Program Evaluation

Program evaluations involve collecting data about programs and analyzing that data using qualitative or quantitative statistical methods to answer research questions about the program. The example given in this week’s Introduction (evaluating program effectiveness for stakeholders or policymakers) is only one among many reasons for performing an evaluation.

Researchers also conduct evaluations to revise programs and contribute knowledge to new theories. Evaluations that improve programs may clarify the dose or intensity of the intervention that is required to produce change, specify the methods that produce the most powerful change, identify better strategies for increasing participation or adherence in programs, identify subgroups for whom the intervention is particularly effective (or ineffective), or change program content to improve the outcomes.

For this week’s Discussion, you focus not on designing or conducting a program evaluation, but on interpreting the results of ones that already have been completed. Examine the article below to which you are assigned and critique the evaluation of the program presented. From your reading of the evaluation, how might the program be modified and improved? Think in terms of not only specifics of the program but also possible changes for other population groups.

If your last name begins with M–Z, use the following article for the Discussion:

• D’Amico, E. J., & Edelen, M. O. (2007). Pilot test of Project CHOICE: A voluntary afterschool intervention for middle school youth. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21(4), 592–598.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library using the PsycARTICLES database.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 the title of the article you were assigned and an explanation of how the program evaluation might lead to the improvement of the program. Based on the findings reported in the article, explain two ways (not mentioned in the article) the program might be modified or improved in the future. Support your response with references from the Learning Resources.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references from the Learning Resources.