This book consists of the edited transcripts of 19 interviews conducted with two- and four-year college students ranging in age from 25 to 65, who returned to school to complete degrees, work toward new degrees, or merely take classes. Drawing from the interviews, introductory comments offer generalizations about adult students returning to…

A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of community colleges in aiding those students who transfer to a senior institution, fail academically, return to the community college, and then re-enter the senior institution. The study, involving an examination of student records and a survey, centered on three groups: (1) 137 community…

The focus of these two reports is on students who transferred from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), and who were studied as a part of the Maryland Longitudinal Study. Results found included the following: (1) transfers in the Representative Group (containing members of all ethnic groups) were equally likely to be male or female; in…

Using statewide fall enrollment reporting systems, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) generates a report each year showing fall-to-fall enrollment patterns of students among Maryland public colleges and universities, resulting in a "transfer matrix" that provides an indicator of transfer volume and destinations. At Prince…

The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD), in California, conducted a study to determine the type and number of transfer students served by both the CCCCD and by the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU), or St. Mary's College (SMC) between 1982-83 and 1989-90. The study also assessed the completeness and…

The 1977 Patterns Workshop focused upon the special problems of those students who change, adjust and revise their career goals in the middle of their college experience. Texts of five speeches given at the conference are presented and include: (1) Articulation In an Anarchical World, keynote address by Dorothy M. Knoell, discussing major areas of…

Reverse transfer (from a four-year to a two-year college) is rapidly becoming one of the most common types of student movement between institutions of higher education. At Northampton County Area Community College (Pennsylvania), a study was conducted to (1) identify the reverse transfer students (RTS's) in attendance; (2) determine selected…

Kingsborough Community College's (KCC) New Start Program is designed to assist students facing dismissal at four-year institutions. After referral by the senior college, students who choose to enroll in New Start are admitted to KCC in good academic standing, are permitted to apply up to 30 previously earned credits toward an associate degree, and…

During the summer of 1976, all 1971-76 graduates (n=2,409) of Johnson County Community College (JCCC) were surveyed in order to determine trends among graduation classes with respect to demographic characteristics, opinions about JCCC, and activities since graduation. Of those surveyed, 34.7% responded. Results of the study indicated: (1) a steady…

This report offers a series of transcript-based portraits of traditional-age community college students. As of 2001, students under the age of 22 constituted 42 percent of all credit-seeking students in community colleges and those under the age of 24 constituted nearly three-fourths of first-time community college students. As the baby-boom echo…

Many studies have verified that education beyond high school results in higher earnings. The highest earnings benefits depend upon certification or degree achievement. Not obtaining a degree results in some penalty: individuals who have some college credit but no degree earn less than associate degree holders. Professional and vocational…

As part of an effort to end the California budget stalemate, an agreement was reached among state legislators to increase tuition fees for community college students and to impose a $50-per-unit "differential fee" on students already holding a baccalaureate degree. A survey by the Chancellor's Office for the California Community Colleges…

In 1985, Kingsborough Community College (KCC), in Brooklyn, established the New Start Program to assist students who began their postsecondary education at senior colleges, but encountered academic difficulties there. New Start applicants are admitted to KCC as matriculants in good academic standing. They take regular courses and are expected to…

In 1985, Kingsborough Community College (KCC) in Brooklyn, established the New Start Program to assist students who began their post-secondary education at cooperating senior colleges, but encountered academic difficulties there. The program offers individual and group counseling to help participants overcome previous difficulties and work toward…

Kingborough Community College's (KCC's) New Start Program was initiated in 1985 to give students who were unsuccessful at senior colleges a second chance at higher education. Following a very successful first year during which retention and academic performance were significantly improved, the New Start Program was expanded from 63 to 240 students…