Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention

Essential Elements for New Student Orientation

The Perspective of Secondary School Personnel

Matthew A. Capps

Michael T. Miller

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jcotr.v13i2.2642

Keywords: Issues, retention, matriculation, transition, community, resources, Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), orientation, disconnect

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Abstract

New student orientation programs typically have been developed from the perspective of what new students need upon their arrival on a 4-year college campus. There is little consideration given to the environment from which students come, namely, the secondary and high schools from which students graduate. The current study study explores what secondary school administrators perceive to be the most important elements that should be included in an orientation program. This perspective, which largely supports the inclusion of all the Council for the Advancement of Standards' Standards for New Student Orientation, particularly noted the need for orientation programs to help the student identify the personal and financial costs (and benefits) of attending college.