ERIC Number: ED179176
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1979-Oct
Pages: 40
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Factors Related to the Withdrawal of Students from Miami University. Survey Report.
Keller, Michael J.
A study, as part of a larger report on attrition and retention of students at Miami University, was undertaken to determine the reasons for withdrawing from the university prior to earning a degree. A questionnaire was mailed to the 1,026 students in the 1978 class who voluntarily left the institution and for whom correct addresses could be obtained. The most revealing question in the survey was probably an open-ended item that asked students to describe their major reason for leaving Miami. Responses were organized into one of eight categories: curriculum, personal circumstances, motivation, student life, academic ability, financial concerns, environmental problems, and instruction. "Successful dropouts" (those who left the college in good academic standing) tended to leave because they found another institution offering a curriculum of courses more suited to their needs, because of personal reasons only marginally related to Miami University, and because they felt out of place with other students or with Miami University's conservative environment and conduct regulations. "Unsuccessful dropouts" tended to withdraw because of poor academic performance, loss of interest in attending college, and personal circumstances. Miami University was found to be a satisfactory experience for most of the dropouts. (SW)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Miami Univ., Oxford, OH. Student Life Research Service.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A