Vol 13, No. 3 - A NEWSLETTER FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS - SPRING 2000
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Vol 13, No. 3 - A NEWSLETTER FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS - SPRING 2000 |
Material in Beyond High School is published quarterly by the nonprofit College Planning Network, Campion Tower, 914 E. Jefferson, Seattle, WA 98122, (206) 323-0624. President and Editor: Douglas J. Breithaupt; Designer: Jeff McClard; Illustrator: Kiam Wright. Material may be reproduced with acknowledgment of the source. Return
to College Planning
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Getting In and Staying InFor most high school students, the primary focus of college planning is in selecting and then successfully applying for admission. Getting into college is critical but staying in college is just as important. The 'retention' factor is becoming more important to students, parents and colleges. How many students who start college actually complete their certificate or degree program? According to The Chronicle of Higher Education (10/8/99), 26.4 percent of freshman who started at U.S. colleges in 1996-97, had dropped out by 1997-98. In the past 15 years, college retention rates have slowly declined. In 1985, 24.9 percent of freshman did not return for the sophomore year in college compared to 26.4 percent in 1998. One key factor in retention is the student's academic history. Simply put, students with better grades in high school are more likely to stay in college. More selective colleges also do better keeping students on campus. Of course many students may leave one college to attend another that offers desired programs or lower cost. While transferring can be a solution, exchange of credits and re-acclimation to a new campus can be challenging. For the student and parents, the key is to work hard to find the college from the start. Good college planning while in high school is one of the best ways to help a student complete college. The remainder of this issue of Beyond High School provides an updated focus on how to move through the college selection and admission process. For many students, the most important step to finishing college may be in making sure all the opportunities and challenges of different colleges are carefully considered before making critical choices.
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