This position paper was written to answer a series of basic questions frequently asked about attrition and retention at Empire State College (ESC), New York. The questions addressed in the report are: (1) What is the attrition rate at ESC? (2) How does ESC's attrition rate compare to other colleges? (3) Who are the leavers? (4) When does attrition…

Reasons why students studying business administration withdrew from Fayetteville Technical Institute (North Carolina) were examined. Questionnaires mailed to a random sample of 30 former students were completed by 26 dropouts who had been enrolled at the institute during 1981-1982. Responses from 26 students were classified as nonsocietal or…

Among the freshmen who entered the City University of New York (CUNY) in fall 1970, about 63% were enrolled without interruption in each of their initial four semesters. Approximately 70% of them were enrolled in CUNY during spring 1972, the fourth semester since their original enrollment. At the senior college, more than 75% were in attendance…

This document summarizes information about attrition, graduation, and graduation with honors at Hollins and other College Research Center (CRC) member colleges; calls attention to the fact that increasing percentages of entering freshmen are saying that the chances of their transferring to another college are "very good"; examines the…

The history and status of research on college student attrition are reviewed, and research design and measurement deficiencies that have reduced the accuracy or usefulness of results or hindered appropriate policy formation are discussed. (MSE)

Data reveals that females who appear to be less cultured (music, art, poetry), less attractive, and less skilled verbally in a cultured and socially competitive environment are inclined to be less successful and withdraw. (Author)

Investigated the timing of dropout by college students over a 5-year period. Found that factors that affect student dropout often have effects that change over time. For instance, students who receive financial aid generally have lower dropout rates than non-aided students, but dropout rates vary depending on the amount and timing of student…

This study determined the reasons that students who were classified as sophomores and juniors in the spring 1972 semester failed to return to Indiana University at South Bend for the fall 1973 semester. A review of the literature and a survey adapted from one used by Grossman College indicates: (1) Recreational facilities and vocational and…

This investigation focused on factors related to students' decisions to withdraw from college courses. An open-ended survey was used to construct questionnaires for assessing student, instructor, course, and situational variables. Implications for advisors and instructors, relationship of withdrawal to course selection, and suggestions for…

Tracked the college careers of 378 students who entered college through a special program for academically underprepared students. Results indicated that students' academic self-concept and achievement expectancies were related to their subsequent school withdrawal. Found differences in the relationship between attitudes and school withdrawal of…

An analysis of student decisions to withdraw from specific courses before assignment of grades but after the "add-drop" period at the University of Minnesota is presented. In a probit model, withdrawals appear to occur randomly, with notable exceptions. Student, class, and teacher characteristics are considered as variables related to…

Using data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, this study examined the influence of finance-related reasons for college choice on persistence decisions. Finance-related choices were found to have direct and indirect influences on college persistence, and market-based, monetary measures of financial aid, tuition, housing costs, and…

This article explores some of the issues surrounding student retention at two contrasting universities in Scotland. It is based on a relatively small-scale quantitative survey of students who withdrew or continued, in order that direct comparisons may be made between the two groups. This comparison allows analysis of the constraints and…

This article discusses the pros and cons of "involuntary withdrawals" in cases of students who are at risk of suicide. A June, 2005, Massachusetts Superior Court summary judgment ruling in the case of "Shin v. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)" concluded that MIT administrators owed a duty of care to suicide victim,…