Making Sense of Transitions: An Examination of Transfer among Economically Disadvantaged Undergraduates (2015)

At least one in three undergraduates attends more than one college, but we know little about how students decide to transfer. Most studies about transfer are retrospective, quantitative, and/or restricted to students who complete a transfer, thus missing the process through which students reach transfer decisions. In contrast, this mixed methods, longitudinal study prospectively examines a cohort of students across multiple colleges and universities over time. Based on data from more than 200 interviews with 50 students from low-income Wisconsin families, we find that about half of students consider transferring, but a substantial percentage ultimately decide to persist at their initial institution. Other studies have ignored the deliberation process—and existence—of this group. For all students who consider transfer, we illuminate a process of discussion and reflection that is shaped by social class and social capital.