The Freshman Seminar Program: Experimental Evaluation of an Introduction to the Liberal Arts

The Freshman Seminar program at the Pennsylvania State University attempts to improve the quality of liberal education by giving Freshman students a detailed introduction to a particular liberal arts discipline, improved advising, and an orientation to college life. The program was introduced on a trial basis and its effects investigated using a randomized experimental design. The outcomes measured were rate of retention in the College of Liberal Arts, grade point average, credit hours completed, ratings by instructors, and various attitudes, including those toward Penn State, advising, and the value of the liberal arts. Results suggest that the program led to more favorable attitudes but not to perceptible differences in performance or retention.