What Matters in College?: Four Critical Years Revisited

This is a review of the research on the factors that are related to the success of students in college. The level of detail is similar to review articles in academic journals. Although I didn't need that level of detail, it was useful to see the factors explained and how they were tested for validity.The main "take away" for me in these studies is that the tension that I see in my own institution between the research and teaching missions is genuine and not just an idiosyncratic situation due to local personalities. I found this comforting in a way.I would recommend that all college faculty read a synopsis of this research, but maybe they don't need this level of detail.

Astin is no doubt one of the top gurus of retention. In this day though, I believe he needs to revisit what really matters in college to today's students. What mattered 10 years ago, even five years ago is not an barrier or concern for the Millennial. Too much unnecessary data to say the same thing over and over.

Good textbook.

Good book for a good price.

Using this book for my dissertation.

As described.

This book was a terrific purchase as it was very helpful to my research.

This is Astin's follow-up to his classic "Four Critical Years", which was one of the most cited books in the higher education literature. This book sums up some of Astin's more recent research and is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what a college education is all about. This book is jam-packed with REAL research!