Unfortunately there is no "magic formula" to retain students in post-secondary education institutions. There are a number of reasons students leave, no one reason is responsible for the student becoming disenchanted with his/her effort to change their life. To retain a student, it would appear that several different methods must be employed, and consistenly used. Basic to the problem of student loss, is to find out WHY the student is leaving. Also, how firm is the decision to depart. In attaining answers to these questions, the difficulty resides in the truthfulness of the answers. ARE the reasons the students give truthful, and complete. In finding out this information, it is essential that the right questions be asked. Also, some information can be derived from the students overall actions, attendance, and inteest that he/she has shown in furthering their eductation at the institution.