“When engineering students transfer from two-year colleges, they perform
quite well. They earn better grades and graduate at slightly higher rates than
those who started at the four-year institutions, according to research by the
Department of Education and individual universities.” -- “Community
Colleges Seen as Source of Engineers”, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10
October 2008 [http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i07/07a00103.htm].
It is my
standing advice to advisees that if they are going to transfer to a four-year
college, they should complete an Associate of Science degree at Jefferson
first, under the guidance of their advisor.
Why?
First,
the research that shows that students who transfer from community colleges to
four-year colleges are as successful or more successful in their academic
careers as students who attend those four-year colleges from the start.
However, this is only true if they get an Associate degree from the
community college first.
Second, my
personal experience is that Jefferson students who complete their degrees at
Jefferson and go on to study at a four-year school tend to do very well;
Jefferson students who simply take some courses at Jefferson and then transfer
(without getting a degree from Jefferson) do not do well at the four-year
college. In other words, my personal
experience backs up what the research says.
I cannot say
why is the degree is so important. It
may have something to do with building the self-discipline required to reach an
objective – I am not sure. Whatever the
reason may be, it seems to make a difference.
Please note
the phrase “under the guidance of their advisor”. It is important that students who intend to
transfer be in regular contact with a knowledgeable advisor, to help ensure
that all the course-work they take is applicable to their field of study.
Last updated
Tuesday, October 07, 2008.