The students who choose transfer admissions over starting at a 4 year college right after high school graduation is changing. While money has been a factor in choosing transfer admissions in the past, it’s been more like, “Well, Junior doesn’t know what he wants to do (i.e. declare as his major or job he wants in the future), so we’ll save money by getting his General Education requirements done at the local Community College.” These students also usually believed their “average” grades would not help them compete for admissions to colleges of their choice. Plus, parents also share concerns about the student’s maturity level to responsibly move away from home. Now, we see “high-achieving, ready to leave home, yet, we don’t want to pay for rising college costs for the first two years” are also entering community colleges.
These shifts in student enrollment along with the budget cuts, especially in California, in services and available classes, the typical community college transfer student may be waiting longer for transfer, unless they shift their plans and learn to ask for help quickly, as they find themselves again competing with students, who may take greater initiative.
The question of value in college again arises. As typical transfer students are working to understand something more about themselves, is community college the place to do that? Will they have mentors and advisors available to help them become more aware of their talents and interests? Is taking a variety of academic classes the most effective means to help students know more about themselves? Are there other, more effective for the individual student, ways to seek greater understanding about oneself and one’s vision than transfer admissions?
Transfer admissions is an alternative path to a 4 year college degree. How a student travels that path and finds the value in the process will depend on their efforts and continued personal reflection.
Listen to our previous podcast on advice for parents thinking about alternatives to college.
