Reasons for the withdrawal of 159 first-semester freshmen from Salem State College, Massachusetts, during the fall 1981 or 1982 semesters were studied. Questionnaire results supported the following assumptions: community problems contribute to student withdrawal, not getting into the dorm contributes to attrition for some students, financial problems play an important role, some students are not ready for college, and the registration process discourages some students. Findings include the following: the greatest frequency of official withdrawal occurred for business administration students and students who had not declared a major; 62 percent of the withdrawing students indicated that Salem State College was their first college choice; two-thirds of the respondents were enrolled in the major of their choice; 78 percent withdrew without meeting with their advisor prior to withdrawal; 64 percent were employed, but only 18 percent worked more than 20 hours per week; 70 percent contributed toward the costs of attending college; and 50 percent of students who withdrew indicated that they had transferred to another college. A questionnaire and survey data are included. (SW)