Dennis, I really like your post. Not only will they be less likely to drop they will also be more successful in their program and grades plus attendance will improve dramatically. Thank you.

Also liked this post. Passion is what will hold a students interest in a program when they are trudging through the difficult classes. So an initial fit between student and program is very important. It begins with that then it comes to us the teachers to feed the fire of that learning passion.

I absolutely agree with all of these comments. If a person finds a great fit for their personality and education desires, retention will not be a concern. If you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life.

I concur with the group. Even with all of the Government changes taking place, including a more focused approached on retention (in admissions), if you do right by the student...they will graduate. I have been in educating recruiting for almost 13 years and my focus has never been off doing right by the student. If they have the guiding hand in place to get to know them, assist them, and support them, everything else falls into place. In my experience if the focus ever switches from them to the school and what’s best for the school, everyone loses.

I agree with these statements.  There are many students that drop out of school because they were not in the proper program.  While it is hard to match a program with an individual, I feel it is important that we as instructors try to identify those students who may be in the wrong program early in the student's educational career and steer them toward a program that matches their strengths.  In many instances, students are on the right bus (career college), but they are in the wrong seat (program).