Inside Higher Ed recently reported on the National Survey of Student Engagement. This survey of college students measures various qualitites involving students that may result in better learning outcomes. These qualities include such things as the rigor of student assignments and faculty student interactions.
One of the interesting things that the survey examined was the experience of students transferring from 2 year colleges compared to students who began at a college and stayed. In particular they looked at certain “high impact” experiences that are likely to make a student more likely to graduate and more likely to learn more.
The survey found that transfer students from 2 year colleges had less participation in “high impact” experiences such as internships and research with professors. This research confirms other information that I have written about that questions whether starting at a 2 year college is a good idea.
2 year colleges are great for programs that can be completed in 2 years or less. But as preparation for transferring to a 4 year college, there are many potential problems. If you are seriously considering attending a 2 year college and transferring to a 4 year college, make sure you do all of your homework about the transfer process and understand all of the potential problems.
Todd:
Thanks for your insite into the 2-4 year education process. You are right in the long run beginning at a four year college is a great option when you really know what you want to do, or if you have a pretty good idea. Statistically you are done with your degree in a faster period of time and are working in your career field.
If you are coming directly out of high school or have only left high school a few years ago, this is a great way to go.
Even if you are not entirely sure what you want to study on average college students in a university are still done faster, on average from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 years in my experience. For those transfering from a community college there are a number of variables, but typically its 6 to 6 1/2 years.
In the long run you can end up spending more money than you would if you just went straight to a traditional college. Of course this depends on a number of things.
Community Colleges are great for initial low cost, and I’ve seen Community Colleges this work wonders for adults who have considerations that might prevent them from attending a university.
Sophie
Going back to college, want the process to be smooth?
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