Attrition rates at arch schools

archkid
Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:36:12 +0000

As I’ll soon be spinning the wheel of “choose my college” I’ve been thinking about something someone suggested I research and consider when comparing schools, namely attrition rates. My mom believes the schools that have the highest sophomore retention and highest grad rates are doing the best job of class selection and focusing students. My take is that the depth and breath of required work in arch programs is a huge filter in itself and will decimate any student population.
My questions are;
How can a few minutes of committee review of some stats, an essay, and some hs art really speak to someones ability to successfully master an arch program?
Do arch programs with high retention / high grad rates really know how to select their freshmen or do they take the best and run a ‘no child left behind’ club with what they get?
Do the schools with high attrition and lower percentage grad rates do a poor job on selection or do they cast a wide net and let nature take it’s course?

Your thoughts?

-sara