This "snapshot" illustrates how one school is managing to make a positive difference for ninth graders. It describes the Ninth Grade Success Academy, a school-within-a-school at Thomas A. Edison High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which has a number of features specifically designed to help ninth-graders make successful…

The introduction of the Internet has dramatically changed the process of information transmission as well as practically every other aspect of American society, including the higher education system. Many colleges and universities have taken advantage of the utility of the Internet and instituted online courses and online degree and certificate…

The orientation program of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education at The University of Georgia for nontraditional students has two primary goals. The first goal is to provide information that will help students make a successful transition to college; second, to provide opportunities for students to meet each other and campus personnel in an…

Describes a peer counseling program, the Oneonta Opportunity Program, for educationally and academically disadvantaged students. Its purpose was to provide academic advising and counseling, institutional orientation, and regular formal contact for the first-time college student (freshman). (Author)

The ways in which admissions and orientation policies and practices help undergraduates form appropriate expectations for college are examined through examples of 14 colleges and universities, whose recruitment materials communicate the institution's educational purposes and orientation activities affirm institutional values and make students feel…

A three-day program at the College of the Holy Cross (Massachusetts) was developed to address low retention rates for African-American students meeting the usual predictive criteria for academic success. It familiarized students with the college, allowed them to meet significant college community members, and assisted in adapting to academic…

Describes a comprehensive summer program for freshmen at a large research university. Freshmen enroll in common courses, are housed together, attend workshops on using university resources, and receive the assistance of an upper-division mentor. Evaluation suggests that freshmen who participate in transitional programs are significantly more…

Studies have shown that college enrollment among students of color is increasing (McTighe Musil, Garcia, Hudgins, Nettles, Sedlacek, & Smith, 1999). In the last decade, enrollment of students of color in higher education has increased by over 48%, including a gain of approximately 15% since 1995 (Harvey, 2002). Although these statistics indicate…

Provides school counselors with information about relocated adolescents and the format for a support group to assist relocated students in assimilating into their new school settings. (Author)

To insure that parents were aware of faculty other than those teaching their children, teachers at St. Monica School prepared small group presentations for the Home and School Meeting on professional topics such as the teaching of reading and the parent's role in education. (SJL)

Describes the condition of the adult returning student. Lists the factors that make for good positive socialization for these students. Describes the University of Rhode Island's College of Continuing Education's entry course for new adult students, which facilitates their successful socialization into the educational community. (JS)

Discusses the integration of wilderness pursuits and outdoor opportunities with more traditional student orientation activities, an area of programming that has become increasingly popular over the last several years in response to changing student interests. Addresses the structure of wilderness pursuit orientation programs, liability issues, and…

This handbook for incoming students describes procedures, services, programs, and opportunities at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. First, the handbook outlines procedures for enrolling in classes, covering admissions, placement tests, registration, fee payment, and adding, dropping, or changing classes. A section on new student…

Describes the College Orientation Program offered by South Mountain Community College in Arizona, an intensive three-day program focusing on study skills, coping strategies, skills assessment, and exposure to postsecondary education. Explains operational considerations; collaboration among high schools, community colleges, universities, and…

The development of a one-day preenrollment program for early acceptees at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Rutgers Medical School that informs the acceptees about the educational program is described. An increase of 40 percent of the acceptees appears to be related directly to the program. (Author/MLW)