Transferring Post-Secondary Schools: Student Perceptions, Rationales, and Experiences

The present study is an empirical investigation of the experience of students transferring from one post-secondary institution to another. Positioned within several theories, most notably emerging adulthood theory, the findings imply that transferring schools represents a positive growth experience for the student who recognizes an inappropriate match with the first institution attended. In telephone interviews, students who had transferred to a large, ethnically diverse, commuter university were asked about their perceived adjustment pre- and post-transfer, their perceived control over the transfer decision, and their transfer experiences. The results indicate that transfer students are engaging in a mature decision-making process. Transfer students perceived a better fit and improved adjustment at their new university, suggesting that transferring institutions was a beneficial decision.