Outputs from a computerised touch pad turnstile security system that recorded business students' entries into and exits from a university's buildings revealed that a significant number of the institution's first-year intake withdrew from their (business) degree programmes within a few weeks of enrolment. Accordingly, a sample of these "early walkers" was contacted and interviewed to ascertain why they had dropped out. The outcomes to the interviews were compared against the predictions of a model of early walking behaviour developed on the basis of pre-existing literature in the (general rather than short-term) student withdrawal field. A questionnaire was then drafted and administered to all beginning domestic first-year undergraduate students in the university's business studies department in order to establish the characteristics of the students who were most likely to quit their courses shortly after starting a degree. (Contains 4 tables, 1 figure, and 5 notes.)