Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Impact of Individual and Institutional Characteristics on Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Public Institutions in Ohio

Bandyopadhyay, Santanu

Abstract Details

2008, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Higher Education (Education).
One of the core missions of community colleges is to prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution. Yet, out of all students attending public two-year institutions in 1995-96 with an intent of transferring to attain a baccalaureate degree, only 23% actually achieved their goal of by 2001, and another 14% were still enrolled at four-year institutions (National Center for Education Statistics, 2002). In addition, the rate of transfer differs from one institution to another, and students from different demographic backgrounds and with different levels of academic preparation transfer at different rates. The differential rate of transfer suggests that individual characteristics and institutional policies matter with respect to transfer. This study tracks all students enrolled in public two-year institutions in Ohio in 2001 for three years, and based on their transfer behavior, measures the relationship between individual and institutional factors, and transfer. Using hierarchical linear modeling, this study also analyzes how the impact of individual factors changes with changing institutional factors. Self-declared intent and completion of relatively high numbers of credits in the first year is found to have the greatest positive relationship with transfer. Holding other factors constant, positive intent increases the probability of transfer by over 8%. For an additional 12 credits completed beyond the average of 25 credits in the first year, the probability of transfer increases by 5%. Academic factors such as GPA and attending full-time also have a positive effect on transfer. Females and African Americans enrolled in two-year institutions in Ohio in 2001 had a lower probability of transferring within three years than whites or males respectively. Of all variables included in the model to describe the individual characteristics, such as gender, race, age, intent of transferring, enrollment status, number of credit hours completed in first year, and GPA, age has the greatest negative impact on transfer. However, the negative relationship between age and probability of transferring is mitigated to a large extent by the positive intent of the student. Based on the findings, two recommendations are made to improve the probability of transfer. First, at the institutional level, introducing transfer advising centers, using students who transferred successfully as “transfer champions”, and including transfer training in “introduction to college courses” may help increase the number of students who express an intention to transfer. Such activities serve the purpose of bridging the information gap as well as motivating students. Second, the state could offer financial rewards to the students to increase completion of a higher number of credits in the first year.
Valerie M. Conley, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Peter Mather, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
H. Gregory Waller, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
A. Michael Williford, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
196 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bandyopadhyay, S. (2008). Impact of Individual and Institutional Characteristics on Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Public Institutions in Ohio [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1225379912

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bandyopadhyay, Santanu. Impact of Individual and Institutional Characteristics on Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Public Institutions in Ohio. 2008. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1225379912.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bandyopadhyay, Santanu. "Impact of Individual and Institutional Characteristics on Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Public Institutions in Ohio." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1225379912

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)