Describes reverse transfers (i.e., students who transfer from four-year to two-year colleges) in terms of demographics, educational goals, and academic performance, using survey and academic data from 13 two-year colleges. Finds significant differences between reverse transfers and two-year natives in terms of race and other demographic…

Describes a study of students at Northern Illinois University (NIU) conducted to determine the characteristics, attendance patterns, grade point averages, and degree attainment of students who initiated their postsecondary education at a four-year college, transferred to a community college, and then transferred to NIU. (AYC)

This exploratory study uses document analysis to ascertain how the enrollment of reverse transfer students in community colleges has been interpreted over time to fit with the community college mission. Indicates that reverse transfer student enrollment has been justified under a variety of rationales, including providing a second chance for these…

Argues that community college transfer mission needs to be redefined as facilitating baccalaureate degree attainment for college students in general, not just for students who begin their undergraduate education in the two-year college. Current patterns of transfer from and to the community college need to be considered. (AUTH/NB)

Compares instruction provided at community and four-year colleges based on evaluations obtained from: (1) students who completed their freshman year at a university and then transferred to a community college, and (2) students who transferred to a university after completing one year at a two-year college. (JP)

Describes an ongoing investigation of student mobility from four-year to two-year colleges in Alberta, Canada, presenting a profile of the characteristics of community college students who had previously attended other postsecondary institutions. Includes interview findings related to students' university and community college experiences. (DMM)

Discusses a study of 10,196 Los Rios Community College District students, their characteristics, and reasons for attending and leaving college. Compares first-time students (54.7 percent) with noncompleter and completer lateral transfers (19.2 percent and 7.5 percent) and noncompleter and completer reverse transfers (12 percent and 7.6 percent).…

Describes a study of 525 students attending an Illinois community college having previously attended a 4-year college. Reports findings on reverse transfers' demographic and academic background, reasons for leaving the four-year institution and enrolling in a two-year college, primary educational goal, and evaluation of their educational…

Looks at students who move from a four-year to a two-year college in a process called reverse transfer. Categorizes these reverse transfer students, reviews what is known about their numbers, summarizes studies that describe the students and their experiences in the two-year colleges, and discusses institutional rationales for admitting them.…

Asserts that the postbaccalaureate transfer student (PRTS) represents a very different type of second-chance student for the community college. Analyzes the life circumstances, goals, and profiles of PRTSs in an urban North Carolina community college. Contains 11 references. (VWC)

Explores eight operational and public-policy challenges associated with increased numbers of reverse transfer students for higher-education institutional operations, college and university administration, state and federal government, and for students themselves. Strives to promote dialog and encourage the development of a thoughtful…

Reviews documents submitted to the ERIC database over the past decade demonstrating the complexity of issues arising from diversification of the transfer-student population. Enumerates some primary concerns regarding reverse transfer students: defining the population, understanding its demographics, tracking student progress, responding to unique…

Describes Los Rios Community College District's study of reverse transfer students, i.e., community college students with prior four-year college experience. Reverse transfers represented 20 percent of the study population, with college graduates attending the community colleges for career-related reasons and nongraduates attending for financial…

Examines postbaccalaureate reverse transfer students (PRTSs) in Missouri to determine the nature and extent of mobility among recent public four-year college graduates who subsequently enrolled in community-college courses and programs. Presents state enrollment data and surveys chief academic officers of Missouri community colleges about their…

Examines undergraduate reverse transfer students in an urban environment, finding complex patterns of institutional attendance. Results imply that the community college plays multiple roles in the lives of those who transfer from a four-year institution. Investigates why these students leave the university, the role of the community college in…