Andrew McCarter, a University student missing since finals week, has not been located and police have no leads concerning his whereabouts, University Police Services said.

McCarter was reportedly last seen by his roommate at 6 a.m. Dec. 14 in Mifflin Hall. The last contact McCarter had with his family was when they dropped him off at school after Thanksgiving vacation, police said. McCarter did not stay in his dorm room, attend any classes or take any finals after the two-day holiday, police said.

The police search for McCarter has included contacting McCarter's friends, acquaintances, professors, advisers, former roommates and resident assistants. Police have also checked address books, letters, messages and other items which McCarter left behind that could have contained clues about his location.

They have come up with nothing.

McCarter has been officially classified as a missing person, police said, and his name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center computer -- a national law enforcement computer network operated by the FBI. The computer network can be accessed by law enforcement agencies anywhere in the United States for information ranging from driver's license checks to missing persons, a police spokesman said.

In addition to the police efforts, McCarter's family has hired a private investigator to begin searching for him, police said.

Frances Palmer, McCarter's mother, said yesterday that the family thought he might just need some time to himself. But after the holidays were over and McCarter did not contact his family, they decided to hire the investigator, she said.

McCarter, a graduating senior at the time of his disappearance, had applied to several graduate schools, including Penn State, and was planning to begin classes in January, she added.

One possible lead -- McCarter's reported purchase of a bus ticket to Cincinnati -- has "not been substantiated," according to police. Palmer said McCarter never mentioned knowing anyone in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati police have been notified about McCarter's disappearance but have no information to date.

Police are requesting that anyone with information concerning McCarter or his whereabouts notify them at 863-1111. All information will be kept confidential.

"We're concerned for his family to know that he is alive and well and that he is making decisions of his own free will," a police spokesman said.