Featuring an engaging text, this book provides: - A new look at the old debates about careerism versus a liberal arts education.- New approaches to understanding student retention and college communities.- A framework for understanding how the failure to examine what it means to be woman-centered undermined the college's single-sex mission.- An in-depth look at the differences between sorority members and independent women, testing historical and contemporary beliefs.- A look at how students' academic achievements and career plans are affected by the collegiate culture and the importance placed on campus life.- A multidimensional research study that includes surveys, interviews with students, and archival research.