In the U.S., more students drop out of college than graduate CLAIMS SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN...HOW ???

Question

Anyone have any support of such a claim? I simply don't believe the drop out rate in college is 51% or greater because there's no reason they would be able to get into college in the first place if they didn't already demonstrate some academic skill and desire for the degree.

Answer 1

I believe this. Everyone can find a college that will take him (e.g. community colleges and online colleges). Lots of people enter college only because they think they are supposed to, and don't really have any interest. Some others find too many distractions and fail out, and some end up dropping out because they need to make money to help their families. A few others just lose interest in school, and some rare exceptions start businesses that end up taking off (e.g. Bill Gates).

Answer 2

1) The demonstrated ability to complete freshman level work doesn't equal the ability or means to complete a four-year course of study.

2) Desire for a degree doesn't equate to the ability to complete the degree.

At some schools and in some programs it's way higher than 51%. In the music program I was in, the freshman drop rate was 33% -- that's 1/3 in the first year! By senior year, it was nearing 85% had dropped or been dropped.

What I observed were only a few things that were significantly contributing. First was that study in college requires a dedication and commitment that many of these folks didn't have. They thought it was going to be "pay your fee, get a B" and it simply wasn't.

Second; and this one was fatal to more than half of those I watched. While the social life of college is important, partying with your friends and clubbing every night is an almost certain way to fail out.

So, it's not about ability or desire -- it's all about choices of priority.

Answer 3

Drop out rates and the formula for calculating them can be a little misleading. The states measure on a college by college basis those that withdraw without earning a degree. It does not take into account students who withdraw from one institution and then re-enroll at another, or those that only went to school to earn a certification.

Although 51% may seem a little biased towards the negative, the drop-out rate is very high - probably more like 30-35%. THis has nothing to do with the academic preparation of the student. THere are several factors that make people withdraw: no funding to continue studies. Finances are the number one reason stated for kids withdrawing from school. Another reason is that after the first semester, many students go to college not prepared for the discipline required to study independently and be successful. They often withdraw and then attend the community college to finish. This adds to the drop-out rate never taking into account that the student did continue with their studies.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

There are many reasons why students 'drop out' of college, only one of which is lack of academic skills.
These reasons include : financial constraints, family matters, course is different to what is expected, course does not fulfill requirements, can not cope with college lifestyle/study and many others.
I completed university in Australia and in my first lecture we were told to look at the student on our right and left and, statistically, only two of the three would be here at the end. These figures have probably as fees have increased considerably (in real terms) since then. <50% is quite believable.

Answer 5

I'm surprised it's ONLY 51 percent. I would have thought it would be much higher.

Too many people get into college who are really not ready for college... they find it out when they have to do the work and they don't have the personal resolve to do it.