Site Team Report

4. Recruitment and Retention

Recruitment of undergraduates is the responsibility of Enrollment Management (Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Scheduling, and the Career Center). Pre-college outreach and multiethnic programs as well as summer sessions have a vital role in Michigan Tech's strategy to attract bright students early. These programs are organized by the Office of Educational Opportunity.

Michigan Tech has a selective admissions policy, although test scores are not required. The University recognizes the value of broad-based criteria to admit students with excellent potential to succeed at Michigan Tech. All applications are individually reviewed and admissions is done on a rolling basis. There are differential admissions criteria into the various schools and colleges. About 80% of the entering first year class come from Michigan, and there is a plan to increase the number of out-of-state students.

The recruiting plan appears sound and based on both the input from outside consultants and the knowledge and experience of Michigan Tech administrators. The recruiting targets and geographic areas seem to be well planned with methods to assess the overall effectiveness of the plans. The newly constructed admissions suite is efficiently organized and presents an inviting environment. The pre-college programs are of excellent quality, are well-organized, and have dynamic leadership.

There appears to be a well coordinated pre-enrollment plan for outreach and first year class recruitment. The Admissions Office seems very responsive to parents and prospective students, but there does not seem to be a well coordinated connection between admissions and the orientation process with respect to continuity of flow of information for student transition to Michigan Tech.

Overall, the Enrollment Management group is well organized and coordinated. Additional coordination would be desirable between the Career Center and undergraduate advising and counseling, and between Admissions and Residence Services.

Michigan Tech's retention rates compare favorably with other institutions in their comparison group, although there is considerable room for improvement as is indicated in the Self-Study Report. The are good academic and cultural support programs to strengthen retention of under-represented groups. Increasing enrollment and retention of Native American students is a challenge, but new staff should be beneficial.[Suggestion 11]

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