<p>Have to agree with joshnewcollege, above^^: I don’t believe the thesis knocks the students out (if they can make it that far, then they are in it for the ride). I think in the first few weeks you either find your niche at NC and like it; don’t fit into NC and are okay with being a loner; or absolutely hate it and bail out. </p>
<p>Even more so, I believe that being unable to hack it academically is a challenge for most students who have been in a “normal” school setting, where you are told at the outset what to do and exactly how to make a good grade : there is no ambiguity in the outcome. But being self-directed: how much should I do? Is this enough to pass? can rattle even the best student. Hence, by the end of the first semester a number of students transfer out to the comfort of a more traditional academic setting.</p>