This feature focuses on the five areas an institution needs to know before implementing holistic measures. These include: what does a holistic review entail, how to be legally complaint, Sedlacek's noncognitive variables, applying student success measures, and the vital importance of training.

The oldest Millennials are now well-established in their careers, requesting flex schedules so they can take their kids to soccer practice in the afternoons; they have little in common with the typical 18- to 22-year-old undergraduate in many college classrooms. For faculty at campuses serving primarily traditional students, it seems like a good…

This article is the fourth in a series of articles describing an attrition prediction and intervention project at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. In this article, the researchers describe the updated version of the prediction model. The original model was developed from a sample of about 900 First Time in College (FTIC) students…

Those who design admissions policies and procedures are the gatekeepers of higher education, and thereby play a role in shaping the direction of human society. Every year selective universities face the difficult challenge of sifting through the application materials of millions of high school graduates and deciding which applicants should be…

A model using four categories of college applicants (enrollment deposit paid, deposit not yet paid, applicants not yet admitted, and those who have not yet applied) that allows forecasting of freshman enrollment from any point in the admission process and simulates the effects of trends and strategies on enrollment is outlined. (MSE)

Many institutions have structured processes for gaining the necessary internal and external approvals for initiating academic programs. Unfortunately, program planners often lack the data required to develop a full understanding of the systemic implications caused by such changes. This article provides both a framework and an interactive data…

An enrollment projection model designed and implemented at LaSalle College had five phases: establishing clear goals, model construction, model implementation, model estimation and validation, and using the forecast. The history of LaSalle's model and the elements in decision making are outlined. (MSE)

Colleges and universities must seek or develop the most competitive enrollment management tools in order to reach and admit qualified students. However, institutions that utilize transactional Web features are more effective if they can personalize services by providing useful customized information in real time for the prospect. Well crafted high…

Argues that assessment, outcomes measurement, and prediction of attrition are separate but highly interrelated phenomena, with none meaningfully understood without reference to the other two. Suggests that the assessment process be the initial exercise, followed by periodic outcomes measurement used in conjunction with the assessment data to…