Thinking Through Transfer: Building a Conceptual Model for How Community College Students Make Transfer Decisions

• In Event: 43.079 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Six - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 43.079-5 - Transfer: Choices, Experiences, and Outcomes

Abstract

For many students, community college is a convenient first step towards a bachelor's degree. While more than 80% community college students intend to transfer to a four-year institution, less than 35% are successful within six years. Research reveals a transfer gap, and there is little qualitative research that examines transfer processes and decision making for community college students. In this paper, we draw on longitudinal interviews with Texas community college students in the midst of making a transfer decision to elaborate their decision-making processes. We find that students' decision-making processes and transfer pathways were complex, but for many students, their choice sets aligned more with their goals over time, suggesting that many are taking steps consistent with successful transfer.

Authors

• Eliza Epstein, The University of Texas at Austin

• Huriya Jabbar, The University of Texas at Austin

• Catherine Hartman, The University of Texas at Austin

• Joanna Dolores Sanchez, Excelencia in Education