An institutional attrition study showed certain reasons for dropping out cited by all students reemerging in analysis of subgroups. Financial and personal problems were most common, with unavailability of a desired major also common. However, individual differences also emerged, and strict adherence to a dropout profile is not recommended. (MSE)

A study of Los Angeles area high school seniors examined college-bound and noncollege-bound students' choice of specific educational program, the importance of future earnings in program choice, and perceptions of income differentials between high school and college graduates. A positive relationship between perceived economic benefits and college…

A survey of a sampling of college-bound high school seniors in Arizona was undertaken to determine students' information needs for college choice. Items, including institutional, student, and program characteristics, are ranked in order of perceived importance. (MSE)

The use of computer graphics techniques in a study of attrition at the University of Akron is outlined to illustrate potential applications. The techniques produce information that is more readily interpreted than the usual data tables. Specific software information and illustrations are included. (MSE)

Issues and considerations likely to be confronted in designing and constructing longitudinal institutional databases or studies are examined, including operational definitions of retention and attrition. The intent is to reduce current limitations in dropout research. (MSE)

Institutional commitment, financial resources, and technical skills are essential components in meaningful, proactive marketing research. Some recently developed approaches and efforts illustrate the possibilities of such research. (MSE)

Ohio University's use of computer programing for the need analysis and internal accounting functions in financial aid is described. A substantial improvement of services resulted, with 6,000-10,000 students and the offices of financial aid, bursar, registration, student records, housing, admissions, and controller assisted in the process. Costs…

Loyola Law School's plan to normalize grading in sections of a given course involves separate calculations for students with and without statistical background. Examples of class and section distributions are provided, alternative normalization methods are discussed, and the reasons they were not used are noted. (MSE)

Two surveys on administrator evaluation practices at Ohio University and other institutions are reported, focusing on faculty and administrator perceptions of the processes. Significant gaps were found between the systems' objectives and perceptions of them. A need is seen for greater clarity of expectations, measurement methods, and use of…

Results of a national survey of institutions' practices and policies concerning publication of catalogs and bulletins reveals information about the offices commonly charged with the publication, number printed, scheduling of printing and distribution, printing service used, use of computer-generated copy and color, publication size and coverage,…

The University of Georgia's computer-based recruitment file of about 20,000 annual freshmen prospects has several primary sources: Georgia achievement award winners, names purchased from the College Board, and superior prospects who submit scores. The file can also record various student interactions with the admissions office and students'…

Two thousand parents and 3,000 unrelated high school seniors were surveyed to learn their needs and preferences in getting information about colleges. Both groups have similar concerns: finances first, then academic factors. It is suggested that different media may be effective for sending different messages about institutions and programs. (MSE)

A study of Black and White 1974 freshmen explored computing graduation predictions for admissions use. Sex, race, residency, major, high school rank, high school size, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, and predicted grade point average were used as predictors. Correct predictions occurred for 64.5 percent of Blacks, 57.65 percent of Whites. (MSE)

The 1963 freshman class accumulated a graduation rate of 15 percent over four years, 31 percent over five years, and 42 percent over 11 years. First semester grade point average is a useful predictor of academic success. It separates graduates from nongraduates, and roughly predicts time to graduate and semesters attended for nongraduates. (MSE)

A Student Retention Committee was formed at the University of Oregon in 1979 to identify probable causes of attrition and to suggest corrective action. A number of existing supportive programs and factors were found, and suggestions included directing greater resources to nontraditional students, in both admissions outreach and campus support…