This book examines the complicated personal and institutional factors that influence a student's decision to terminate his studies; it investigates ways to enable him to resume his education and utilize his talents. The opening chapters approach the problem from an administrative point of view, reporting on statistical and psychological research and indicating future directions. Subsequent chapters deal with personal dimensions: relations between the student and his college environment; the effects of timing of readmission; family attitudes toward the dropout; the effectiveness of psychiatric treatment; personality traits that contribute to a student’s difficulties. College administrators will find this study relevant to policy decisions on admissions, medical services, and course structuring. Clinicians and researchers will find guidelines for therapy and suggestions for further investigation. Finally, parents of college dropouts will gain new understanding of the problem and the best way to meet it. Originally published in 1966. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

In this 1994 classic work on student retention, Vincent Tinto synthesizes far-ranging research on student attrition and on actions institutions can and should take to reduce it. The key to effective retention, Tinto demonstrates, is in a strong commitment to quality education and the building of a strong sense of inclusive educational and social community on campus. He applies his theory of student departure to the experiences of minority, adult, and graduate students, and to the situation facing commuting institutions and two-year colleges. Especially critical to Tinto’s model is the central importance of the classroom experience and the role of multiple college communities.