by Luiz Bravim

Created on: December 19, 2010   Last Updated: December 20, 2010

The National Association for College Admission Counseling reports that more than 30 percent of students intend to transfer from their college or university. The reasons are varied, but common strands emerge from these teen, twenty- and thirty-somethings making huge impacts in the world of higher education.

Many community college students attend with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution following completion of an Associate’s degree or completion of some other mandatory course work that is more economically feasible close to home. Community colleges are a richly diverse source of students for both private and public universities. Where a private university is more likely to be over-represented by young Caucasians and Asian-Americans in the middle and upper socioeconomic classes, community colleges boast a population that more closely reflects the makeup of the region. In order to attract talented students, some community colleges have partnered with a nearby university to ensure a smooth transfer and more relevant curriculum for those starting out at the more affordable two-year school. Broward College, one of the largest in the nation, has over 50,000 enrolled students in spread out over 9 campuses in Broward County, Florida. Its Robert Elmore Honors Institute requires a 3.5 GPA in college preparatory classes and competitive SAT scores. Its graduates may transfer to honors colleges at a number of universities in or out-of-state.

Though each year a good many students plan transfers, there are those who transfer out of dissatisfaction with their college of choice. It may be the case that an overzealous student was set on going to a particular college for the wrong reasons. Family and friends have a major influence in high school seniors’ college applications. Once the student arrives on campus and begins the next stage of their academic career, innumerable issues arise. Roommate problems are a source of resentment for thousands of young men and women. Many have grown up having their own room, and sharing with someone who may have a contrasting sleep or study question invites quarrel. Freshmen commonly have difficulty adjusting to life on campus and report depression. This may be due to factors entirely outside the college’s control, but have an important effect on enrollment and finances nonetheless.

Adjusting to a new environment is easier for extroverted students who came in well-prepared. It is advisable that anyone committing

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