Examines differences between expectations and perceptions of self-assessed adjustment to college to determine whether students expect more of themselves than is subsequently realized. Describes this "freshman myth" at Clark University and Holy Cross College (N=308) and discusses differences in various aspects of adjustment. (BH)

Describes an intervention into the lives of college freshmen based on a scale measuring adjustment to college. Principal purposes were to explore the practical usefulness of the scale in an interview and to examine the consequences of the intervention. Qualitative and quantitative findings are presented. (Author/ABB)

Describes research on a scale measuring adjustment to college. A 52-item self-report Likert-type scale was administered in each of three successive years to freshman students. Reliability and validity were assessed. Criterion variables included attrition, psychological service requests, grades, election to an academic honorary society, and social…

Administered a self-report scale of social propensity for identification of persons prone to adjustment difficulties in college to three successive freshmen classes before matriculation. Results showed significant relationships with a number of indices of social adjustment in college. Includes all items used on the Social Propensity Scale.…

Research has shown a relation between a student's academic major decision status and the quality of his/her adjustment to college. Three studies were conducted to examine this issue in college freshmen. The Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) was used to measure academic adjustment, social adjustment, personal-emotional adjustment,…

Reasons for the failure of special programs to help college freshmen adjust to school are analyzed. (JD)

Alienation is viewed as a relatively stable and enduring characteristic of individuals. Significant correlations were found between the alienation scale, administered before matriculation, and three indices of adjustment in the freshman year (i.e., the adjustment scale, an activities checklist, and attrition). (Author)

The Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) is a self-report, Likert-type scale consisting of 67 statements that allude to various aspects of the experience of adjusting to college. The SACQ yields five indices: a full-scale score and subscale scores for each of four aspects of adjustment to college (academic adjustment, social…

A study of 20 first-year students at a small liberal arts college investigated the extent to which an adaptation of the Student Adjustment to College Questionnaire could predict student disillusionment with college. Results and implications for facilitating student adjustment are examined. (MSE)

A study investigated the effectiveness of intervention, by interview, with 111 first-year college students identified as at risk in their adjustment to college. Effects were analyzed in terms of score change on scales of adjustment, first-year grade point average, first-year course credits earned, and continuance of enrollment. (Author/MSE)

A study of the usefulness of the Anticipated Student Adjustment to College Questionnaire found it to be reliable and predictably related to a variety of pre- and postmatriculation self-report student data and real-life student behaviors. Uses of the instrument in high school and college are considered. (Author/MSE)