Based on a longitudinal study of entering freshmen at a selective, private college in northeastern USA, this article provides a model for designing retention studies for assessment. Results from discriminant analysis revealed average high school grade, admission rating, and first semester average college grade as significant predictors of graduation. Regression analyses identified average high school grade, first semester average college grade, and satisfaction with academic advising as significant predictors of final average college grade. Perceived impact on intellectual self-confidence and satisfaction with faculty attitude, business courses and sense of community were identified as significant predictors of overall satisfaction. (Contains 3 tables and 1 note.)