What Does It Take To Have A Positive Impact On Minority Students' College Retention?

Adolescence, Fall, 1999 by Philip R. Newman, Barbara M. Newman

Participation in six years of college-preparatory activities and on-campus summer enrichment provides YSP freshmen with a history of mastering challenging subjects, a sense of familiarity with the university environment, and a belief in their ability to succeed. These students have had to get good grades and resist social distractions, often including serious family disruptions.

The Young Scholars Program remains salient throughout the college years. YSP students have a network of people who help reduce alienation (which is especially acute during the freshman year), as well as offer encouragement, provide academic and social support, and monitor progress. The YSP scholarship provides incentive to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average and also serves as a key factor in retention, allowing students to stay in school with the intention of raising their grades rather than forcing them to drop out if their grades fall during any particular quarter. In addition, the students' positive reputation among family members, friends, and faculty adds to their resolve to succeed.

The authors are grateful to Lisabeth L. Venter, Office of the Registrar, and William J. Karl, Jr., Office of Admissions, The Ohio State University, for their assistance in designing and selecting the comparison groups, and for providing regular updates on the academic progress of all the students in this study.

Barbara M. Newman, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science, College of Human Ecology, The Ohio State University.

Reprint requests to Philip R. Newman, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science, College of Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210.

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