The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students Dr. Mari Normyle Assistant Vice President for Retention Solutions All material in this presentation, including text and images, is the property of Noel-Levitz, LLC. Permission is required to reproduce information.
Focus of our time together 1 2 3 Elements of transfer student success An overview of transfer student attitudes and motivation Implications for campus action 4 Questions and discussion
Elements of Transfer Student Success
One-third of all students change institutions Of those who transfer: 37 percent transfer in their second year 22 percent transfer as late as their fourth or fifth years 25 percent transfer more than once 27 percent transfer across state lines 43 percent transfer into a public two-year college Transfer and Mobility: A National View of Pre-Degree Student Movement in Postsecondary Institutions February 2012
Completion at Starting vs. Different Institution National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Signature Report 6 December 2013 Completing College: A National View of Student Attainment Rates Fall 2007 Cohort
Four-Year Transfer Destination Institutions* National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Signature Report 5 July 2013 Baccalaureate Attainment: A National view of the Postsecondary Outcomes of Students Who Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Institutions
Outcomes Six Years After Transfer (n=320,011) *This figure is based on data shown in Appendix C, Table 1. **This completion rate includes bachelor s degrees and higher completed at four-year institutions. About 1% of students in the cohort completed an associate s degree at a four-year institution. These completions were not included in the four-year degree completions show here. National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Signature Report 5 July 2013 Baccalaureate Attainment: A National view of the Postsecondary Outcomes of Students Who Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Institutions
Outcomes: With/Without Pre-transfer Two-Year Degree or Certificate *This figure is based on data shown in Appendix C, Table 4. National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Signature Report 5 July 2013 Baccalaureate Attainment: A National view of the Postsecondary Outcomes of Students Who Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Institutions
Outcomes: Time Between Two-Year Enrollment and Transfer to Four-Year Institution* National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Signature Report 5 July 2013 Baccalaureate Attainment: A National view of the Postsecondary Outcomes of Students Who Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Institutions
Number of campuses with programs for first-year and transfer students 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. 2013 Student Retention and College Completion Practices Report
Effectiveness of first-year and transfer programs Noel-Levitz Blog Post January 28, 2014 Are campuses supporting transfer students enough? A look at recent data
An overview of transfer student attitudes and motivation
Between 2010 and 2012 1,708 transfer students completed the motivational assessment
Cohort definition The statement that describes my current college enrollment is: I transferred here from a community college. I transferred here from a four-year college or university.
Transfer students commitment to college 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
Transfer students satisfaction highlights 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
Transfer students plans for college and degree completion 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 93.8% 93.7% 54.6% I plan to complete my degree or program at this college or university 4.8% 42.3% 4.5% 1.0% 1.4% 2.9% I plan to transfer to another college or university to complete my degree Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public I have not made a decision about my plans to re-enroll in college next term 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
Four areas of challenge for transfer students
Academics
During an exam, I m able to concentrate and keep my thoughts well organized 84.0% 82.0% 82.2% 80.0% 78.0% 76.0% 74.0% 72.0% 73.5% 72.6% 70.0% 68.0% 66.0% Four-year private institutions Four-year public institutions Two-year public institutions 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
I am good at figuring out what material is most important for an exam 84.0% 82.0% 82.4% 80.0% 78.0% 76.0% 74.0% 74.6% 75.3% 72.0% 70.0% Four-year private institutions Four-year public institutions Two-year public institutions 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
Most transfer students think they will need to study more 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 74.9% 64.1% 58.0% Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
Transfer students receptivity to assistance I would like to find tutors in one or more of my courses Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 22.8% 23.4% 20.5% 47.7% 49.6% 37.3% Previously received help Would like to receive help
Transfer students receptivity to assistance I would like to get help with study skills Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 20.8% 25.4% 22.0% 41.6% 44.4% 35.5% Previously received help Would like to receive help
Satisfaction with Academic Items
Advising
I would like help preparing a written academic plan for graduation Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 27.4% 26.4% 24.5% 58.7% 62.3% 49.7% Previously received help Would like help going forward
I would like to figure out the impact of grades on my desired major Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 30.1% 32.7% 33.8% 58.7% 64.5% 50.6% Previously received help Would like help going forward
Satisfaction with Advising Items
Financing
I have the financial resources that I need to finish college 49.0% 48.5% 48.0% 48.5% 48.0% 47.5% 47.0% 46.5% 46.7% 46.0% 45.5% Four-year private institutions Four-year public institutions Two-year public institutions 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
Plans to work 9.5% 0 (I do not work) 35.5% 10.2% 12.8% 18.0% 14.1% 35.5% 1 to 10 hours 14.1% 11 to 20 hours 18.0% 21 to 30 hours 12.8% 31 to 40 hours 10.2% Over 40 hours 9.5%
Would like to discuss options for financing their education Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 23.5% 37.1% 34.6% 35.6% 40.6% 60.2% 62.9% 54.5% Previously received help Would like help going forward
Find ways to balance the demands of school with work Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 23.5% 18.8% 21.8% 19.9% 40.6% 40.3% 46.4% 36.1% Previously received help Would like help going forward
Find better ways to manage my personal finances, including loans, work and credit cards
Satisfaction with Financing Items
Careers
I would like to identify work experiences or internships related to my major Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 22.9% 23.2% 23.2% 75.7% 77.6% 59.6% Previously received help Would like help going forward 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
I would like to explore advantages and disadvantages of my career choice Four-year private Four-year public Two-year public 27.0% 29.5% 29.8% 62.3% 65.8% 47.0% Previously received help Would like help going forward 2013 Noel-Levitz, LLC. All rights reserved. The Attitudes and Motivations of College Transfer Students
Satisfaction with Career Items
Implications for campus action
Choices on the path to completion
Ten-point checklist for recruiting transfer students 1. Do you have a dedicated admissions staff trained to respond to transfer student issues? 2. Are your current processes transfer-friendly? 3. Do you have dedicated resources on your website for transfer students? 4. Do you have special visit days just for transfer students? 5. Do you have effective orientations and intakes for transfer students? 6. Have you adequately communicated your willingness and eagerness to accept transfer students on your campus?
Ten-point checklist for recruiting transfer students (continued) 7. Have you built relationships with organizations like Phi Theta Kappa to identify excellent students from the community colleges in your region? 8. Have you reached out directly to community colleges to establish more sustainable relationships and partnerships? 9. Do you have up-to-date articulation agreements you can readily communicate to prospective transfer students? 10.Do you make visits to community colleges to provide personal attention to prospective transfer students?
(At least) a 13-point (and growing) checklist for retaining transfer students Does your institution offer: 1. Orientation programs tailored specifically for transfer students, including segments that address concerns such as transfer of credit, finances, major-related internships, and meaningful work experiences? Extended orientation? 2. Programs beyond the usual classroom and advising services that connect transfer students to faculty, staff, and native students within academic or co-curricular interest areas? 3. Faculty development programs to help our faculty understand the needs of transfer students? 4. Peer mentors for transfer students?
(At least) a 13-point checklist for retaining transfer students Does your institution offer: 5. Advisors within the student s major/area of interest with an early focus on confirming or further refining a written academic plan? 6. An integration center devoted to transfer students? 7. Early alert sensor systems that apply to transfer students as well? Targeted communications to connect transfer students to academic resources/tutoring services? 8. Career services that target transfer students to provide assistance with academic planning/internship/work opportunities related to the major? 9. Academic support services based on areas of student need and receptivity? 10.Campus employment reserved for transfer students?
(At least) a 13-point checklist for retaining transfer students Does your institution offer: 11. Membership in academic honor organizations? Leadership opportunities and recognition? 12. Research that identifies the satisfaction of transfer students about their college experiences? Are the voices of transfer students heard? 13. Opportunities for transfer students to network with alumni for internship/employment opportunities? And most importantly: Evidence of transfer student success? Do you report: persistence, retention, progression and graduation rates on your transfer students? Graduate school placements? Employment after graduation?
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Questions