Low Freshman Retention Rate?

ALF
Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:12:45 +0000

Where did you get that retention rate number, because I have never seen such a low number reported for Hampshire? I think that the current retention rate between first and second year is 82%, which is a little higher than it used to be; I saw 78-79% figures a few years ago.

Still, probably more 1st-year students do not return than desirable. I think that Hampshire’s curriculum is more demanding than some students realize. The lack of course grades or established majors may be mistakenly translated into a lack of rigor. Also, students are expected to be well-motivated and assertive in developing their concentration. I think that kids who think of Hampshire as a laid-back hippy-ish school (which it is in some ways) can get a rude awakening when a lot of academic demands are placed on them.