In 1991, a study was conducted of students who withdrew from one of three courses at San Jose City College (SJCC) in fall 1990 or spring 1991 to elicit their reasons for withdrawing. Of 254 students who withdrew from Math 310, Learning Skills 340, or English 321, 28% (N=71) were interviewed in-depth about their commute to campus; educational objectives; and personal, academic, classroom-related, methodology-related, instructor-related, and college-related reasons for withdrawing. In addition, they were asked what the college could have done to help them remain in the course, and what they found most helpful or enjoyable about the class. A final set of questions focused on their study habits, advice for other students, and educational plans. Similar questions were asked of a smaller sample of successful students. Major study findings included the following: (1) 71% of those interviewed thought about dropping within the first 4 weeks; (2) 85% did not talk to their instructor about withdrawing; (3) 84% of the dropouts worked 40 or more hours per week, compared to 45% of the successful students; (4) 46% indicated a degree or certificate as a goal, compared to 57% of the successful group; (5) 17% cited classroom-, methodological-, instructor-, or college-related reasons for withdrawing; (6) 16% of the reasons for withdrawing were college-related; (7) 64% indicated personal reasons for withdrawing; (8) 30% of the personal reasons were related to sickness, 29% were job-related, and 16% were due to difficulty in paying for college; (9) 15% of the respondents felt they were placed too high, and 19% felt they were placed too low; (10) 89% of the withdrawing students studied alone, compared to 57% of the successful students; and (11) both withdrawing and successful students advised fellow students to attend all classes, do all assignments, ask questions, and stick with it. Recommendations and the interview schedule are provided. (JMC)