Spring Break
Freshman programs help raise retention
Gretchen Hollis
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
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TCU's retention rate for freshmen has risen from 81 percent in 2002 to 86 percent in 2007, according to the TCU Fact Book, and professors say it is because of better advising procedures, mentors and freshman programs.
TCU has conducted research to see which students leave and why by calling those students for phone interviews.
"A lot of students call back, and the issues are generally related to something academic," said Mike Scott, director of scholarships and financial aid. "Like they didn't like their major or didn't feel like they fit in."
National retention research has found that students who engage academically and socially with their school are less likely to drop out or transfer. TCU's goal is to get more students graduated, Scott said.
Keeping Tabs
Vision in Action programs at TCU, like College 101/Compass 101, focus on getting more freshmen to get involved on campus, Scott said.
"We found that students in a mentoring program really appreciate talking to someone on a personal basis," said Cheryl Cantu-Mireles, project director for College 101/Compass 101: A Program to Enhance Student Retention.
College 101 is required for freshmen who have not achieved a 2.0 in their first semester, Cantu-Mireles said.
"College 101 helps jumpstart a successful career at college so students will, hopefully, stay at TCU," Cantu-Mireles said.
Another new program designed to keep freshmen at TCU is called eFrog. This program gives first-year students a Web presence and is like TCU's version of Facebook, said Patrick Miller, registrar and director of enrollment management.
EFrog starts communicating with potential students while they are still in high school through blogs, announcements and information on what is happening in Fort Worth and at TCU. It has had a lot of student participation, he said.
Easing the Transition
AddRan College of Humanities and Social Sciences has made changes to academic advising for students by hiring additional professional advisers for all premajors and first-year students with declared majors in the school, said Michael Butler, associate dean of AddRan.
TCU has conducted research to see which students leave and why by calling those students for phone interviews.
"A lot of students call back, and the issues are generally related to something academic," said Mike Scott, director of scholarships and financial aid. "Like they didn't like their major or didn't feel like they fit in."
National retention research has found that students who engage academically and socially with their school are less likely to drop out or transfer. TCU's goal is to get more students graduated, Scott said.
Keeping Tabs
Vision in Action programs at TCU, like College 101/Compass 101, focus on getting more freshmen to get involved on campus, Scott said.
"We found that students in a mentoring program really appreciate talking to someone on a personal basis," said Cheryl Cantu-Mireles, project director for College 101/Compass 101: A Program to Enhance Student Retention.
College 101 is required for freshmen who have not achieved a 2.0 in their first semester, Cantu-Mireles said.
"College 101 helps jumpstart a successful career at college so students will, hopefully, stay at TCU," Cantu-Mireles said.
Another new program designed to keep freshmen at TCU is called eFrog. This program gives first-year students a Web presence and is like TCU's version of Facebook, said Patrick Miller, registrar and director of enrollment management.
EFrog starts communicating with potential students while they are still in high school through blogs, announcements and information on what is happening in Fort Worth and at TCU. It has had a lot of student participation, he said.
Easing the Transition
AddRan College of Humanities and Social Sciences has made changes to academic advising for students by hiring additional professional advisers for all premajors and first-year students with declared majors in the school, said Michael Butler, associate dean of AddRan.
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