Topics

More

Transfer Student Involvement

uterThe most recent National Survey of Student Engagement has found that transfer students tend to be less involved than “native” students in colleges and universities across the nation. However, “horizontal transfers” – people coming from a different four-year Baccalaureate program – tend to be more involved in “high impact” activities such as study abroad, internships, research, and capstone courses than “vertical transfers” – people coming from a community college or two-year program.

While 62% of native seniors said they participated in internships, only 49% of horizontal-transfer students and 43% of vertical-transfer students had. A measly 7% of vertical transfers had studied abroad compared to 15% of horizontal transfers and 20% of native students. This isn’t surprising, though, since horizontal transfers were probably planning on doing these “high impact” activities at their other school.

What is surprising is that they report being less content than other transfers. Mr. McCormick, the director of the study, believes it has something to do with the reason for their transfer between institutions.

“I think a large number of horizontal transfers are changing institutions because they were not able to succeed in making good relationships at their first college. Some of these obstacles don’t go away with a change of scenery.”

The study emphasized the importance of first-year enrichment engagement as a means to improve retention rates. McCormick says, “From the beginning [this study] has been all about diagnosis and improvement, not data for the sake of data.” Penn State, University Park actually has one of the highest retention rates among large universities, so we’re doing something right.  Maybe it has to do with our 2+2 program. Students can choose their own campus, and, when the time comes, if they want to come to University Park. If a student isn’t quite ready to leave the nest or for a 40,000+ student population, they can choose a Commonwealth Campus that is close to their hometown – whatever suits their needs.

What do you think? Is Penn State a cut above – are first-year students and transfers more involved here than elsewhere?

[Pic]

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Caitlin Silver

Caitlin is from a small Pennsylvania town called Unionville, which is by West Chester, which is by Philadelphia. She is a sophomore in the Smeal College of Business and will probably major in accounting. Caitlin loves "How I Met Your Mother" and dougnuts.

Penn State Football Recruiting Staff Navigating Tricky College Football Landscape

“We’re all trying to feel out the landscape to try and figure out how to advance in the new world of college football that involves NIL and compensation for the players.”

What To Do In Indianapolis For The Big Ten Championship

From the Roar Tour Pep Rally to the Big Ten Fast Fest, there’s lots to do in Indianapolis before the Big Ten Championship this weekend.

Penn State References You Didn’t Catch In ‘Wicked: Part I’

Did you know that Stephen Schwartz wrote the musical “Wicked” about Penn State?

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
62.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Caitlin

Kiwi Fro-Yo Comes to Penn State

The Kiwi Yogurt chain is opening its newest store right here in State College, next to the Student Book Store at 324 E. College Ave, this February (no word yet on exact date). Kiwi is a Maine Line, Pa.-based, family-owned company founded in 2008 set on providing “the ultimate dessert experience.”

And it is quite the experience. When you walk in, there is – prepare yourselves – a wall of frozen yogurt options. You get to walk up to this beautiful wall and vend yourself as many flavors as you like.

IFC-PHC Producing YouTube Video to Feature Greek Leaders

Vote For Edublogs!