ABSTRACT

Most colleges and universities are organized into content fi elds that fi t the interests of faculty and are congruent with the history of the curriculum. Students who do not follow the set pathways of curriculum oft en face diffi culty keeping on pace to complete a college degree, especially if they want to change their major or transfer. Remarkably, the support structure for students making changes is limited in most colleges and universities, especially in the academic part of the enterprise. Students who are initially undeclared or those who become disillusioned with their major are oft en dependent on personal contacts with faculty to fi nd the correct major. Transfer students are oft en treated like entering freshmen, if they have orientation at all. Support for academic transitions made by students with some college experience is probably the most critical missing link on the pathway to academic success.