Increasing the Enrollment and Success of Transfer Students from Community College to Private Selective 4-Year Colleges

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2025

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Abstract

Transfer students are typically a small proportion of the entering undergraduate classes at selective 4-year colleges. Most first-generation and limited income students start their college trajectories at community colleges. This project aims to address that gap through a partnership as a research team of members representing a selective college and a local community college. Interviews were conducted with current community college students and students who had transferred to the selective college. Interviews with community college students revealed the great diversity of students who attend community colleges and what they considered ideal in determining where to transfer. Interviews with current transfer students at the selective college chronicle the benefits as well as the social, academic, and culture shock that can come with transitioning to a selective 4-year college. Recommendations for colleges to understand and find ways to address the immediate financial aid information, advising, social, and need to work realities of their community college transfer students are also discussed. Findings support the value of selective colleges addressing institutional barriers for transfer students and partnering with local community college(s) to improve outcomes for students.

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