Deciding on a College Transfer: Uncovering Transition Queries and Concerns via Reddit Topic Modeling

• In Event: GIG ECONOMY AND SOCIAL MEDIA RESEARCH: Navigating Transitions and Efficiency in Education and the Gig Economy

Abstract

Transitioning from community college to four-year university poses unique challenges for underrepresented STEM transfer students, such as credit transfer issues, adapting to new environments, and feeling out of place. Advisors often lack adequate resources, prompting students seeking online help. This study analyzed 628 academic subreddits on Reddit.com, resulting in a dataset of 664K posts, narrowed to 20K about college transfers. Topic modeling using three algorithms revealed broad and specific topics like finance, housing, lifestyle etc. Sentiment analysis showed 10% negative posts, highlighting issues like difficult classes, class nearing capacity etc. These findings can aid advisors in better supporting transfer students.

Authors

• Jason Standfast, SUNY at Old Westbury

• Julian Franco, University of Texas at El Paso

• Rudy Caraballo, SUNY at Old Westbury

• Kay Vargas, Cal Poly Humboldt

• Yun Wan, University of Houston-Victoria

• Xiwei Wang, Northeastern Illinois University

• Sherrene Bogle, Cal Poly Humboldt

• Palvi Aggarwal, University of Texas at El Paso

• Shebuti Rayana, SUNY at Old Westbury