<p>That’s true, but I don’t know if it’s completely fair and addresses the issue of those in the 25%. Also, I don’t know if retention rate can be used (especially at elite schools, public or private) to judge whether people are having a hard time academically. I mean, I’m betting that Emory has lower retention than Berkeley simply because the students that leave flat out don’t like it (institutional research surveys reveal a trend showing that those in and near the 75% generally didn’t have it as a first choice whereas those in the middle or lower were much more likely to do so). It is one of the few institutions in the top 20 w/no Division 1 sports (thus doesn’t provide what many consider the “real/traditional college experience” and certainly doesn’t have the amount of “school spirit” that others have) and it is number 20 among the private schools. Unlike a place like Berkeley, where it is the dream school to many in-state and perhaps out of state among those applying. Emory is competing against a lot of schools in which it is a last resort. This of course means that some people are dissatisfied upon stepping on campus w/o hardly giving it a chance. We can’t expect to have better retention than a place like Berkeley w/that happening. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, there may be no real way of telling how those w/incoming stats in the bottom 25% fare at elite schools b/c retention rate doesn’t cut it. Also, retention does not necessarily equal “drop out” (when I think of drop out, I think not transferring, removing themselves completely from college and/or failing out). I think the main point is that those in the HS 25% may fare quite well academically) at elites, and perhaps more so at private schools (smaller environment, more academically supportive) regardless of retention rates. But of course I have no proof. It just seems logical (however, college academic performance is sometimes unpredictable and defies logic). </p>
<p>Now, Carnegie Mellon, you may have an argument in terms of assessing the 25%. I believe the school is actually kind of hard.</p>