Factors Impacting Minority Student College Adjustment

Abstract

College freshmen are faced with a myriad of new challenges and many struggle with the transition into college. A substantial number of individuals who enroll at a university fail to persist through graduation as a result of difficulties they encounter during their first year. Poor retention rates are especially striking among minority undergraduates. Understanding the obstacles to adjustment among incoming students of diverse backgrounds is crucial as the first step in preventing student dropout. This review examines literature on the impact of diversity issues on college adjustment with the hope of informing clinicians providing services to a diverse student population. Factors impacting minority freshmen are discussed and differences between specific groups are examined.