In its second Signature Report[TM], "Transfer and Mobility: A National View of Pre-Degree Student Movement in Postsecondary Institutions" (Hossler et al., 2012), the National Student Clearinghouse[R] Research Center[TM] found that one-third of all first-time students who began at a four-year institution transferred to or enrolled at a different…

It is widely acknowledged that many postsecondary students no longer follow a traditional path from college entry to degree at a single institution. Increasingly more students attend multiple institutions, transferring once, twice, or even three times before earning a degree. Standard institution-based reporting tends to ignore these students,…

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…

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…

Describes (1) why both nondegree and degree-seeking postbaccalaureate reverse transfer students (PRTSs) attend two-year colleges and what they think of it, (2) what institutional changes or modifications these students would prefer, (3) what institutional problems their presence may create, and (4) how their presence can benefit two-year schools.…