NSE Handbook

This section identifies some of the reasons why students fail to follow through with exchange commitments and some practical measures for dealing with these reasons.

19.1. Definition of Attrition

Attrition occurs when a student who has been placed at a host campus declines the placement, fails to sign the Placement Acceptance Form, cancels the placement, or leaves the host campus before term completion.

19.2. Reasons for Attrition

19.2.1. Inability to Secure Placement at First Choice Campus

Students who are likely to decline any placement other than a first choice should not list back up choices. Additional sites should only be selected if the student is truly willing to accept placement at an alternate choice campus.

19.2.2. Financial

Lack of funds is a common reason for program withdrawal after placement. Students may not have given adequate thought to their financial situation prior to applying for exchange. Reduced financial aid, change in financial situation, availability of summer employment, or unexpected increased cost at the host campus are other reasons for program withdrawal.

19.2.3. Academic

Students sometimes encounter difficulty in obtaining courses at their host campus and feel exchange will prolong degree completion.

19.2.4. Family

Marriages, divorces, accidents, deaths, new jobs, transfers, and a host of other unforeseen circumstances can discourage exchange.

19.2.5. Medical

Accidents and illnesses may force students to withdraw from their exchange commitment.

19.2.6. Transportation

High cost of air transportation or lack of ground transportation can discourage exchange.

19.2.7. Lack of Communication from the Host Campus

Lack of timely communication by the host coordinator causes anxiety for exchange students and may lead to attrition.

19.2.8. Fear of the Unknown

Students who do not have sufficient information about their exchange situation may become anxious and prefer to remain in their comfort zones.

19.3. Ways to Reduce Attrition

19.3.1. Outgoing Students: Prior to Placement

19.3.1.1. Exploring Exchange Sites

Students should sufficiently explore potential exchange sites. Sources of information include campus profiles at NSE.org, exploring campus websites and online catalogs, connecting with returning students or students currently on exchange, and talking with academic advisors and faculty regarding exchange opportunities.

Course offerings at potential campuses should be discussed with academic advisors prior to campus selection and subsequent placement to ensure that academic program objectives can be met. Encourage all NSE applicants to have a flexible academic plan.

19.3.1.2. Finances and Financial Aid

NSE applicants should thoroughly assess their financial situations prior to filing their applications. Anticipated expenses and resources must be taken into consideration. Coordinators should advise applicants to meet with a representative from the financial aid office several months prior to placement to discuss application, application deadlines, award, and disbursement as they affect participation under Home or Away Tuition Payment Plans.

19.3.1.3. Communication

Policies, procedures, and timetables should be distributed to students inquiring about the program. Materials should include policies, procedures, timetables, and responsibilities for outgoing, incoming, and returning exchange students, application costs associated with program participation, and definitive expectations for performance and behavior.

19.3.1.4. Meetings

Initial Exploration
Coordinators should inform students of the seriousness of the exchange process and encourage them to discuss their plans with academic advisors and parents.
Interviews
Students should be interviewed as part of the application process to further encourage them to think and put into words the implications of going on exchange. Interviews also offer an opportunity to assess the student adaptability, flexibility, and willingness to cope with the challenges of new situations.

Pre-Placement / Application Meeting
Before approving an application, the home coordinator should meet with each applicant to review campus choices and to secure commitments to exchange if placed. This is especially important regarding the student willingness to accept a placement at a campus which was a second or third choice during Priority Placements. Remind students of the non-refundable NSE application fee at this time.

19.3.2. Outgoing Students: After Placement

19.3.2.1. Post Placement Meeting

After Priority Placements, a meeting should be scheduled to celebrate placements, describe follow up procedures, answer questions, remind students to sign their (electronic) Placement Acceptance Forms (PAF). While it is often convenient to meet individually with students to advise them of their placements, there is an advantage to meeting with all applicants as a group. In such meetings, excitement is generated that helps cement the exchange commitment.

19.3.2.2. Other Contacts Prior to Home  Campus Departure

End of Term Activities
Group activities with outgoing and current exchange students often helps foster commitment to carry through with placements.
Summer Reminders
Regular communication with incoming, outgoing, and returning students during the summer months can provide confidence and encouragement.

19.3.3. Incoming Students

19.3.3.1. Response to Placement Acceptance

Within one week of acceptance, incoming students should be acknowledged and welcomed by their host NSE Coordinator.
Students become anxious and discouraged when they do not receive adequate communication from their host campus. Information regarding enrollment, registration, and housing should be sent upon receipt of a signed PAF.

19.3.4 Timelines

Advising students of the timeline related to registration, housing, orientation, and other information will help alleviate anxieties and reduce attrition. Students need to know what to expect and when to expect it.

19.3.5. Alternate Measures for Reducing Attrition

19.3.5.1. High Application Fee

Some campuses assess high application fees and return a significant portion once it has been verified that the student has enrolled and is attending the host campus.

19.3.5.2. Contract

Several campuses require outgoing students to sign legal contracts that commit their attendance at the campuses at which they have been placed. Consequences (usually some financial penalty) for not attending the host campus are detailed in the contracts. This is particularly true of a few Home Payment campuses where withdrawal from the program directly impacts the institution balance of outgoing and incoming students.