Research: Pupils Don’t Aim High Enough For College

UNDATED (AP) – Two of the most influential researchers in higher

education have reached a conclusion about why so many college

students fail to graduate.

A book out Wednesday suggests that students are aiming too low

— settling for less selective schools they imagine will be easier.

In fact, they’re more likely to drop out.

By some measures, fewer than six in 10 students entering college

ever finish, among the worst rates in the developed world.

The authors say students choosing colleges below their

qualifications “should not be the norm.”

The authors found that selective schools offered a more

campus-focused experience. Other research shows students who make

personal connections on campus are more likely to persist.

“Crossing the Finish Line” is by William Bowen and Michael

McPherson, former presidents of Princeton University and Macalester

College, along with researcher Matthew Chingos.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)