Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2010
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph. D.
Department (Legacy)
College of Education and Human Development
Committee Chair
Cuyjet, Michael J.
Author's Keywords
Second-year students; Attrition; Sophomores; Persistence; Retention
Subject
College dropouts; Dropout behavior, Prediction of; Prediction of scholastic success
Abstract
The persistence of second-year college students is gaining attention nationally. Vast resources have been dedicated to the retention of first-year students only to lose them at some point during the second year. Much of the research about the second-year experience is qualitative and focused on institutional inputs. This study examined pre-entry variables that predict second year attrition. The pre-matriculation factors and background characteristics as outlined by Tinto (1993) served as the focus of this study. The participants of this study were first-time, full-time freshmen that attended the University of Louisville 2004 summer orientation, participated in the College Student Inventory Form-B survey, enrolled, and matriculated to the 2004 fall semester at the University of Louisville. The College Student Inventory Form-B data was used to analyze pre-entry levels of motivation, commitment, and selected background variables. A logistic regression model was used to predict the student outcomes of persistence and non-persistence for enrollment in the fourth and fifth semesters, which constituted the second year for traditional, first-time, full-time freshmen. Findings from this study suggest that second-year students have experiences and needs distinct from those of first-year students.
Recommended Citation
Scobie, Nora Allen 1967-, "The second year itch: an examination of pre-entry factors that contribute to second-year college persistence." (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1287.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/1287
