I have long believed that a students perception of the quality of the school will contribute heavily to a student's dedication to completing a program of study. Schools like Harvard, MIT, Yale, and other such Ivy league schools do not have serious problems with retention and attrition. In my opinion, a prime reason for this is the stringent guidelines and requirements necessary for acceptance into the school. A person can't just walk in off the street, and start classes the following Monday... Any perspective student of one of these schools must first meet the entry guidelines, and then complete any and all of the entry requirements. Like an ENTRANCE EXAM!!!!!!! Any schoolo that does not put a requirement on students entering the school is GOING to have difficulty with students leaving the school. I have found that a good majority of the students who start college are NOT actually prepared for what is expected of them! Regardless of how well a school attempts to meet the expectations of the students, the students' must be made to meet the expectations of the school!!! Until this changes, retention will Always be a problem in private, post-secondary education.