Most institutions predetermine the data they will collect for each student making application for admission. Many of the following variables suggested for this analysis are available in the admissions office and financial-aid office:

• Academic history.
  
• Geographic and demographic variables.
  
• Achievement-test scores.
  
• Cocurricular activities.
  
• Financial-aid information.
  
• Dates of first inquiry.
  
• Date(s) of campus visit(s).
  
• Date of application for admission.
  
• Date of acceptance and/or decision to enroll.
  
• Contact history prior to enrollment.

Note that many of these suggested data actually represent more than one data point. For example, academic history may include high-school Grade Point Average, grades in core courses, curriculum followed, and many more items.