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 report presents empirical data in support of the behavioral, demand-oriented theory of Ph.D. production. A close examination of the Ph.D. curricula of the English, Economics, and Chemistry departments at Berkeley, chosen as representative of the extremes of departmental behavior, demonstrates that requirements do differ substantially and in a…

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)

Attempts to explain the high rate of student attrition in first-year language courses. The author gained insight into the problem when he enrolled in a Chinese course, which he eventually dropped because of lack of incentive. He concludes that awareness of the need for language learning will curb attrition rates. (Author/PJM)

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…

A survey of enrolled students and withdrawers from a certificate program at the University of Exeter showed that this type of provision is meeting the needs of adults who have not previously benefited from higher education. (SK)

Sixty-six responses from 612 students who withdrew from nursing programs highlighted academic/institutional and personal factors. Recommendations for retention include student tracking, support groups, upper-class student mentoring, internships, counseling services, and information dissemination. (SK)

Finds that developmental reading students were as successful in college as low ACT nondevelopmental students but not as successful as the higher ACT students. Suggests that ACT scores and age were the best predictors of college success. Demonstrates the need for developmental classes for underprepared college freshmen. (RS)

A study investigated whether determinants of college students' decisions to withdraw from an institution are similar to those affecting decisions to transfer to other institutions. Subjects (n=2,954) were entering freshmen at a state university. Results indicated different factors discriminated between persisters and dropouts and between…

A survey at Edge Hill College of Higher Education in Canada, designed to be part of the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the student experience, revealed that key factors influencing withdrawal were: course not as expected, traveling difficulties, institution not as expected, domestic difficulties, and financial difficulties.…

A study investigated racial patterns in students withdrawing from York University (Ontario). Results indicate differences in overall retention rates for Blacks and students of South Asian, Chinese, "other" non-European, and European origins are small. While racial origin was not a predictor of voluntary withdrawal at the end of the first…

The performance of students who persisted or withdrew from courses was compared in a survey of all undergraduate students enrolled at Georgia State University during the spring 1981 quarter. Multivariate analysis was applied to three aspects of withdrawal and performance: course grades, the length of time withdrawing students stayed in the course,…

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…