Considering leaving before they've even started: an examination of freshmen at risk for transfer

Abstract

Purpose

Most retention literature compares students who remain at an institution with those who leave. This paper seeks to extend the analysis by focusing on freshmen who leave in order to transfer to another institution. Using person‐centered and variable centered approaches, it aims to examine subgroups to determine variables contributing to different transfer rates.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through surveys, and a quantitative approach was used to analyze the data.

Findings

By the unique nature of the sample (i.e. students contemplating transfer to another institution even before their freshman year at Adelphi begins) and utilization of person‐centered and variable‐centered analytic approaches, the current results provide both practical and methodological implications for student retention.

Originality/value

This is an original work which was previously presented at the 2006 Northeast Association of Institutional Association annual conference.

Citation

Chang, Y., Lerer, N. and Talley, K. (2010), "Considering leaving before they've even started: an examination of freshmen at risk for transfer", On the Horizon, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 346-354. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748121011082644