As student鈥檚 recipes for completion become broader and more varied, transfer patterns are becoming more unpredictable. Transfer students 鈥渟wirl鈥 for a variety of reasons. To best help these students鈥攚ho are often at a greater risk of not completing鈥攅nrollment professionals need to understand swirlers鈥 unique needs, motivations and challenges.
4 common categories
In their SEM quarterly article 鈥,鈥 authors Alicia Moore, 探花楼 Senior Consultant; Bruce Clemetsen and Lee Furbeck review transfer student characteristics and suggest best practices for improving success of transfer students. According to the article, the ideas of the 鈥渟wirling鈥 student was coined by Alexander McCormick, who defined these four enrollment patterns:
- Trial and Supplemental Enrollers. 鈥淭rial鈥 enrollers take a few courses to explore the possibility of transferring, while 鈥渟upplemental鈥 enrollers accelerate their progress by taking courses during break periods.
- Consolidated and Special Program Enrollers. These students intentionally select courses at a variety of institutions (alternately or simultaneously) with the intention of applying all the credits towards a degree program at a specific institution.
- Serial Transfers. These students don鈥檛 find a 鈥渇it鈥 and move from institution to institution for reasons ranging from poor grades, financial constraints, no clear goals or direction, family pressure, or a lack of understanding how to navigate higher education.
- Non-Degree Students. Many students鈥攊ncluding lifelong learners鈥攖ake courses for personal or professional benefits unrelated to a degree programs.
Each of these populations requires targeted services which may or may not be suitable for other populations. Good data can help institutions characterize their swirlers and respond appropriately.
鈥淚nstitutions should know their transfer student data鈥攂oth in terms of those who transfer in and transfer out,鈥 says Moore, dean of student and enrollment services for Central Oregon Community College (COCC), and 探花楼 Senior Consultant. This includes the sheer numbers, as well as demographic trends, academic/major trends, and completion rates. In addition, both strategic planning and enrollment services on campus can develop practices to help support swirling students.
Need Moore Assistance?
As an 探花楼 consultant, Moore notes that one size does not fit all when it comes to SEM planning. It is not uncommon for institutions to seek additional resources or receive external assistance. For more information about how your institution can support transfer students or how can assist you, please at (202) 355-1056.