Predictors of Graduation of Readmitted “At Risk” College Students

Abstract

We conducted an archival study of at-risk students who had “stopped out” of college for many reasons (academic dismissal, financial problems, personal problems, etc.) and who later were accepted to return to school. Approximately 27% of the accepted students chose not to return. Those who returned had higher grade point averages, had completed more semesters and more credits before stop-out, and had transferred in more credits than non-returners. Of the final sample of 290 students who returned, approximately 47% eventually graduated, a number that compares favorably to national graduation statistics. Sixteen variables were examined to predict whether the students later graduated or did not. In a hierarchical logistic regression, the only significant demographic variable was year of birth, with younger students being more likely to graduate. Two “intervention” variables were significant: students who had been academically dismissed were less likely to graduate, and those who participated in a pre-freshman summer orientation program were more likely to graduate. GPA upon readmission was not a significant predictor after controlling for other variables, although credits earned and semesters completed upon readmission were significantly positively related to graduation.