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…

The committee is convinced that attrition is so interwoven with the entire college philosophy and operation that attempts to minimize it must be viewed as a total campus effort. The following definition of attrition was used for computing attrition at the class level: (1) all F's, (2) all withdrawals from class for students enrolled for 7 hours or…

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…

Assuming that the holding power of a junior college is one of the significant indices of its effectiveness, this paper reviews descriptive and inferential data on student attrition. Included are dropout statistics, reported reasons for leaving college, and personality characteristics of dropouts versus persisters. Comparisons between numbers of…

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)

This report describes the study, its findings relative to recidivism and school withdrawal, the implications of the findings for planning preventive intervention services, and the implications of the findings for further research. (Author)

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)

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)

Explores self-esteem in a group of recent school-leavers (N=3,066). Results indicate that self-esteem was significantly lower in economically underemployed groups, relative to the adequately employed, after controlling for early self-esteem and other factors. No differences in self-esteem emerged among the economically underemployed groups. (RJM)

The Perceived Faculty Support Scale was completed by 300 associate degree students who persisted to completion, 83 who withdrew voluntarily, and 75 who withdrew due to academic failure. Factor analysis yielded the dimensions of psychological and functional support. Students who perceived greater faculty support were more likely to persist.…

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…

Presents a model for studying the process by which students decide to continue with, or to terminate, their second language studies. Previous research in the area is discussed. (MSE)

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)