Consistent with predictions derived from the self-expansion model, this 3-year longitudinal study found that participation in more college groups during sophomore year predicted increases in inclusion of the college community in the self at the end of junior year, which further predicted increases in satisfaction with the college experience at the…

Conducted national, 9-year, multi-institutional study of academic persistence. Results from 10,326 college students support Tinto's model of the persistence-withdrawal process and suggests that most important determinants of persistence are students' academic and social integration at the institution. (Author/NB)

Tested Tinto's model that dropping out occurs when students are not adequately integrated into social and academic environment of college, and that student background characteristics influence dropout decision only indirectly through effect on such integration. Findings challenge model, especially regarding concepts of academic and social…