July 2006

Recruitment and Retention - July 2006 - Full Issue PDF
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The State of College Admission 2006: Application Numbers Rebound, Acceptance Rates Stay High
The higher education enrollment boom is still going strong, despite a dip in application growth last year, according to the most recent annual “State of College Admission Report” from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Sophomore Program Begins Where First-Year Program Ends
Following up on the success of a nationally recognized first-year experience program, William Jewell College in Missouri has launched a new sophomore year experience program aimed at extending the assisted period of adjustment to the academic and social components of college life.

Resources Guide Helps Faculty Help First-Year Students
Recognizing that faculty members who teach first-year students play a crucial role in their students’ success, Illinois State University has developed its “Resource Guide for Faculty Teaching First-Year Students,” a brief, online document intended to raise awareness of the importance of the first-year experience.

Commuter Students: Myths, Realities, Helpful Theoretical Frameworks
Four major myths hinder colleges’ and universities’ efforts to retain commuter students, says John Garland, coordinator for the National Clearinghouse for Community Programs.

Seven Ways to Improve Student Satisfaction in Online Courses
In June, Recruitment and Retention reported that according to a survey of online learners, these students want better instruction quality and more faculty availability and feedback. Here are a few recommendations on improving distance learning programs in those areas.

Resources
Economic diversity data website; Enrollment Observer news blog; International enrollment data website; more

Updates
More institutions make scores optional; College credit for studying abroad in high school; Black first-year UCLA enrollments may be lowest in three decades