This thesis explored the differences between 1981 Ball State University undeclared and declared major matriculates freshmen on selected variables related to persistence. This study did not attempt to make forecasts regarding persistence by the study participants, but rather to serve as a base population from which longitudinal studies examining the relationship between declaration of a major and persistence could be based.Responses to a 60-item questionnaire were tabulated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A cross tabulation program was used in generating frequency and percentage data. In addition, chi square and T-test programs were used in reviewing the statistical significance of the differences.The undeclared and declared students were found to differ significantly in thier responses to the following variables: 1) college attendance by others; 2) influence to attend college; 3) Ball State University attendance; 4) major/occupation selection priority; and 5) vocational and academic expectations and experiences.

Chapter 1. 1. Introduction - The rapid growth and development in industrial and technological areas has created a growing need for trained manpower. Increasingly it is expected of the universities to supply the community in these needs. For this reason the position of university dropouts must be regarded in a serious light - the necessary potential is not being utilized and furthermore the dropout rate is a burden for both the country and the community. 2. Objectives - The researcher has set the following overall objectives: To determine: a) Whether there are any significant differences between the dropout and the successful student as regard, aptitude, interest and personality. b) Whether the dropout in the year course differs from the dropout in the semester course. c) What factors - as described in literature on this subject - play an important part in the cessation of studies. d) The causes of such study cessation at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. 3. Hypotheses - a) There are no significant differences between the successful student and the dropout as regards aptitude, personality and interest. b) There are no meaningful psychological differences between the dropout in the semester course and the dropout in the year course. Chapter 2: Survey of literature. The phenomenon - as described in literature on this subject - is reviewed in this chapter. In the definitions that have been stated definite differences have been drawn between the successful student, the unsuccessful student and the dropout. Furthermore the extent of the dropouts in certain overseas countries and the Republic of South Africa has been reviewed but specifically also as relating to the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. Attention has also been given to the relationship between '. sexes, faculty, residence and study cessation. The pattern during the year of such cessation as well as its reasons are also discussed. The following factors which may be relevant to such cessation of studies have been identified: a) Psychological factors such as social withdrawal, stress, lack of self-confidence, identity-crises and problems on an interpersonal level. b) Family background. c) Socio-economical factors. d) Social pressures. e) Aptitude. f) Interest. g) Motivation'. h) Academic accomplishments. i) Religion. Chapter 3: Method of investigation. At the inception of their studies first-year students undergo psychometric testing. The results of the psychometric testing of 1980, 1981 and 1982 have been used in this investigation. Certain criteria for success have been set and the successful students identified accordingly. Of this group a random sample has been drawn. The dropouts were seen as a universal group. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the successful students have then been compared with those of the dropouts using certain statistical methods. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the dropout in the semester course have been compared with those of the dropouts in the year course, but only by comparing their average scores. One standard deviation is regarded as a significant psychological difference. No further statistical methods were used in this part of the research. Chapter 4: Discussion of results. 1. Certain tendencies relevant to the dropout's aptitude, interest and personality have been identified. The various faculties however, indicate differing tendencies. 2. It would appear as if there is no material difference between the dropout in the year course and those in the semester course. Chapter 5: Conclusion. From the investigation indications are that although in the different faculties certain tendencies are found relevant to cessation of studies, individual differences cannot be disregarded. To attempt to identify dropouts purely on ground of psychological tests without considering predisposing factors would be Unrealistic. Cessation of studies as a psychological problem can be reduced but never entirely eliminated. / Skripsie (MA)-- PU vir CHO, 1984

The purpose of the study was to determine the perceptions of Ball State University students who participated in the Guaranteed Student Loan Program and withdrew from school before completing a degree program. Specifically, the study was concerned with: (1) Determining the perceptions of identified students in areas of financial concern with regard to borrowing through the Guaranteed Loan Program; (2) determining the perceptions of the borrowers as related to selected personal areas with regard to borrowing through the loan program; (3) identifying the opinions of students regarding participation in the loan program as related to the appropriateness of the program, basis for eligibility, repayment plans, advice to prospective borrowers and the overall experience of borrowing through the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.A review of literature pertaining to guaranteed loan programs was made and a questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 100 students who had participated in the Guaranteed Student Loan Program but withdrew from Ball State University before completing a degree. Seventy-one borrowers returned a completed questionnaire.The analysis of data revealed that Ball State University students who borrowed through the Guaranteed Student Loan Program but left school prior to graduation were usually single at the time of borrowing but tended to marry at a later date, were not dependent on parents for financial support and came from homes of parents having a wide range of annual gross incomes. The identified dropouts were more likely to borrow through the loan program than obtain money for education expenses from any other source, did not, use the money for purposes other than education and tended not to default on repayment to the lender of the loan or declare bankruptcy. The student borrower accepted full responsibility for repayment of the loan in a majority of the cases.Ball State University dropouts did not perceive the influence of borrowing through the Guaranteed Student Loan Program as an inclination to be more susceptible to borrowing, interfering with the choice of a marriage partner or affecting decisions regarding size of family. The student borrowers perceived the loan program as a positive effect on the decision to attend college but not on the selection of Ball State University as the institution of higher education to attend.The identified borrowers indicated the amount borrowed as being appropriate, the overall borrowing experience as satisfactory but believed the basis for repayment should have been a combination of the amount borrowed and the borrower's income after leaving college.There was no significant relationship between the amount of money borrowed by the Ball State University dropouts and the use of the money for purposes other than education expenses, defaulting on repayment, necessity to borrow after leaving college due to the debt accrued by the loan, the influence of borrowing on the borrowers' ability to purchase certain consumer items, or the overall experience of borrowing through the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed Feb. 22, 2008). PDF text: 107 p. : ill. ; 813 K. UMI publication number: AAT 3275063. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on November 27, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed Nov. 9, 2007). PDF text: x, 307 p. : ill. ; 929 K. UMI publication number: AAT 3266769. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1988. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-62). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on December 28, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.) --Naval Postgraduate School, June 2006. / "June 2006." Includes abstract. Author was part of NPS's company officers program and was stationed at the Naval Academy while doing the research for this thesis Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-56). Full text available online from DTIC and USNA LEAD theses database.