Transfer-In Student Success

Week 1: Introduction

Week 1: We’ve used the results from our data analytics to identify institutions with higher than expected transfer-in student graduation rates. We call them “Overachievers.”

Our team scoured the institutional websites of these Overachievers to assess the quality of information available to transfer-in students. We wanted to find the Exceptional Overachievers.

In this 16-week series, we share the results of our research & analysis – in particular, the websites geared specifically toward transfer-in students. We hope this information can help you enhance your own institution’s transfer-in student experiences and success.

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Week 2: Admissions

We all know the importance of making a great first impression, right? Well, for many potential transfer-in students, the first impression of an institution comes with the Admissions experience.

It was important for IEHE to look at this step first. Some Overachieving institutions are doing a great job introducing themselves to potential transfer-in students and smoothing their path to enrollment. They make a great first impression.

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Admissions.

Florida Atlantic University

Fort Hays State University

National University

University of Central Florida

University of Delaware

University of South Florida

Week 3: Articulation Agreements

We talk a lot in higher ed about collaboration, synchronicity, and teamwork, don’t we? But while we often work well within our institutions to collaborate toward student success, it’s important to look outside as well.

One way to smooth the path for transfer-in students is to engage in articulation agreements with partner institutions. When those agreements are established, and available on an institution’s website, it gives potential transfer-in students a clear idea of how to make the transfer-in process seamless.

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Articulation Agreements.

National University

Chamberlain University-Missouri

Fort Hays State University

Wayland Baptist University

Week 4: Transfer-in Credit Calculator

Some institutions review credits for transfer only after a student has been admitted. But offering a simple way for prospective transfers to evaluate, on their own, the transferability of individual courses they’ve taken/are taking eliminates the guesswork and empowers them as a decision maker.

If you want to smooth the path for students to transfer-in to your institution, an online credit calculator/matrix is a great addition to your admissions website.

Check out the Exceptional Overachieving institutions that are helping transfer-in students succeed.

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Transfer-In Credit Calculators.

Florida International University

George Mason University

Old Dominion University

Wilmington University

Week 5: Scholarships

Money follows mission.

Providing an exceptional educational experience is the primary mission of most colleges and universities. When an institution’s mission includes a commitment to transfer-in students, money should be directed to them.

Financing an education is a concern for many students and their families. So, the availability of scholarships/grants for prospective transfer-in students can be a big incentive for completion.

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Transfer-In Scholarships.

Northern Arizona University

Lake Superior State University

University or North Florida

University of Central Florida

Week 6: Transfer-In Fair

We celebrate all kinds of things in higher ed. Any event can be turned into a festival on campus!

Hosting a Transfer Fair or information session is an opportunity to recruit prospective transfer-in students and support those who have recently joined your community. And it’s fun!

Activities outlining the transfer-in process and highlighting the campus supports and resources available lets these students know they matter.

Throw in a food truck, and now it’s a party! (properly social distanced, of course)

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Transfer-In Fairs.

Arizona State University

Florida Atlantic University

Northern Arizona University

University of Central Florida

University of South Florida

Week 7: Transfer-In Orientation

It’s hard to be the new person in the group. Even harder when people think you already know the ropes.

Transfer-in students are assumed to understand how college works – simply because they’ve been to one or more colleges before. But institutions aren’t the same.

Transfer Orientation can build knowledge and set transfer students up for success. Orientation designed specifically for transfer-in students can build on their existing knowledge while introducing them to the new resources at their disposal. Transfer Orientation gives them tools for continued success.

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Transfer-In Orientation.

Florida Atlantic University

University of Central Florida

University of Delaware

University of South Florida-St Petersburg

Week 8: Family & Friends Engagement

Transfer-in students have often had many life experiences. And now their family may include spouses/partners and children, in addition to parents. Many work while enrolled. These circumstances call for different supports.

We reviewed Exceptional Overachiever institutions to identify ways they acknowledge these differing needs.

The personal and professional circumstances of many transfer-in students call for different kinds of supports – especially for students that have children. Families are an important part of the transfer-in experience and we wanted to know how institutions engage with them.

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Family & Friends Engagement.

University of South Florida-St Petersburg

Week 9: Campus/Social Space

Providing ways for transfer-in students to stay connected to the campus and each other is important. Since many don’t live on campus, and may have nowhere to go between classes, dedicated campus space for them (in person or virtual) is helpful.

In today’s digital world, some institutions provide space for transfers to connect and communicate virtually, through social media sites dedicated to them.

We were curious whether institutions offered physical or virtual space for transfer students to gather and engage.

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Campus/Social Space.

University of Central Florida

Florida Atlantic University

Week 10: Transfer-In Student Associations

Student organizations are a great way for students to connect with others who share common interests and experiences. Organizations and associations dedicated to transfer-in students can help those students network and navigate the challenges unique to them. 

To learn more, check out our LinkedIn post highlighting our research and our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Transfer-In Student Associations.

University of Central Florida

University of South Florida-St Petersburg

Week 11: Transfer-In Housing

Not all institutions offer residential housing. And many that do don’t have the capacity to house all students who want to live on campus.

When space is available, transfer-ins can benefit like first-year students do from a campus life experience.

Campus housing isn’t always an option, but among those that offer it, some institutions stand out.

To learn more, check out our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Transfer-In Housing.

California State University-Northridge

Fort Hays State University

University of North Florida

University of South Florida-St Petersburg

Week 12: Evening and Weekend Hours

Students that work while pursuing their education still need access to educational services.

While some student support services (such as the library and tutoring) are open late and on weekends to accommodate student schedules, many operate under the traditional business hour model. This keeps students who work 9-5 from having easy access to the offices.

To learn more, check out our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Weekend and Evening Hours for Transfer-In Students.

Chamberlain University-Missouri

Week 13: Success Coaching/Mentoring

Success coaching/mentoring is a great way to help students reach academic and career goals. Some institutions provide coaching specifically for transfer-in students.

When mentors account for students’ unique circumstances and goals, they can promote academic and professional success.

To learn more, check out our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Success Coaching/Mentoring.

Arizona State University-Tempe

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Old Dominion University

University of Central Florida

Week 14: Transfer-In Student Seminar

Some institutions offer transfer students a class or seminar (sometimes for credit) to help orient them to the new institution. These courses can be similar to a First-Year Experience Course/Seminar and can provide a valuable introduction into resources available to them.

To learn more, check out our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Transfer-In Seminar.

University of Central Florida

University of Delaware

Week 15: Transfer-In Student Internships and Workforce Development

Transfer-ins and students that work first and study second often have a better idea of their career plan than first-year students. Some are pursuing their education as a part of their career progression.

Students already in the workforce can benefit from internships that value their experiences and build on their existing skillsets when completing internships.

To learn more, check out our video on the Exceptional Overachievers in Internships and Workforce Development.

Florida International University

Week 16: Wrap-Up

We hope you’ve enjoyed IEHE’s Transfer-In Student Success Strategic Research.

Throughout this series, we’ve highlighted 18 Exceptional Overachievers – institutions that are graduating transfer-in students at higher-than-expected rates and providing unique and valuable supports in one or more of the 14 areas we highlighted.

Our Week 16 video caps off this strategic research series.

The Exceptional Overachiever All Stars – highlighted during our series three or more times. These five institutions are putting substantial effort into recruiting and supporting transfer-in students – and their efforts are paying off!