A 2014 study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that more than one-third of participants transferred or co-enrolled at least once over a six-year period. In fact, as student mobility increases and more individuals and families break their allegiances to traditional collegiate pathways, institutions may find that the vast majority of admits bring some level of transfer credit.

That is one of the reasons it is so important to respect the transfer student experience — because, in the future, many more students will fall into this category. Seeking more intentionally to integrate this student group with an institution’s strategies, in fact, catches up with what students are already doing. Students are embracing alternative ways to achieve their degree goals. It’s time that colleges and universities get creative here too, and one way to do that is to simplify the transfer experience. The pandemic is shining a light on this now because families and students have to grapple with ways to make progress to a degree, while weighing issues of safety and security.

Opportunities to Improve the Transfer Student Experience

• Solicit feedback from recent graduates, current students and potential candidates about their experiences with transferring. Ask for specific insights that can guide further inquiry and shape future improvements in the short and long term. This feedback may be solicited in the form of a survey, student forums or a listening tour.
• Based on the findings of an intentional survey or listening tour, leaders can enhance the onboarding and orientation experience for this critical population. The concerns and focus areas of transfer students are often quite different from those of their more traditional peers. Consider adjusting the curriculum of introductory sessions to focus on the items that matter most to them (career services, childcare, etc.) and offer other more mainstream topics (housing, student life, etc.) on an as-requested basis. Be sensitive to the variability of prior experiences so that those within this population can identify their individual paths.
• Create a sense of belonging for transfer students and find meaningful ways to integrate them into the institution’s culture. Leaders should consider enticing potential transfer students by offering certain student life perks (athletics ticket purchasing options, library access, gym membership, etc.) to them in advance of their decision to enroll. By giving students a sneak peek at the extracurricular and social opportunities they can expect, they may get a head start on finding their niche.

While the upcoming academic year is sure to be characterized by ambiguity, flexibility and compromise, leaders have the opportunity to capitalize on the current uncertainty to create exciting future paths to meet the needs of all types of students. Building the systems and processes now that intentionally respond to transfer students’ needs and expectations will help institutions retain a competitive edge and offer a compelling value proposition regardless of what the post-pandemic future holds.