Understanding Student Beliefs and Choices Related to Cross-Enrollment to Square Practice With Theory

• In Event: College Access, Financial Aid, and Student Success

Abstract

Cross-enrollment policies are intended to promote access and transfer to 4-year universities by allowing students to preview the experience of attending a four-year institution while still enrolled at a community college. However, relatively few community college students participate in cross-enrollment to take classes at four-year universities prior to transfer. This paper examines community college students’ beliefs and preferences related to course taking at their home campus and at a nearby four-year college. We surveyed 671 transfer-intending students about goals, knowledge of cross-enrollment policies, beliefs about costs and benefits associated with enrollment at a nearby University of California campus, and preferences related to selecting classes. Additionally, we conduct a conjoint choice experiment to better understand the factors that influence course enrollment.

Authors

• Michael Hill, University of California - Irvine

• Rachel Baker, University of California - Irvine

• Elizabeth Park, University of California Irvine

• Kassandra Flores, University of California - Irvine