Blog Post #4 -  Research proposal

Adversities of Transfer Students

Topic

I will address the problems of young adults that come from different ethnic background and recently transferred from community college to 4 year University. I will mainly focus on Students that transferred from County College of Morris to Rutgers University to provide specific example by means of interview and survey. In addition, I will address the demanding issue of adaptation to the new environment, and the experience transfer student have. For example the isolation and academic inadequacy due to lack of preparation. Most community colleges fail to properly prepare students for the challenges they will face in 4 year institutions. Furthermore, students that come from different countries and are unable to keep up with the course material due to the language barrier. Those ethnically diverse students face even more adversities in comparison to student whose first language is English.

Research Question

          How is it possible to improve adaptation and transition of transfer students in Rutgers University and what is being done to assure the  majority of non-citizens students that they achieve the same result as student who applied in 4 year Institutions?

Theoretical Frame

       

In order to better understand transfer students transition from 2 year school to 4 year institution, I decided to discuss a theory proposed by Schlossberg (1984). The theory generally indicates a mixture of theories that attempts to explain transitions. The main idea of this theory discusses a change in individual’s life depending on the severity of the event. Schlossberg’s theory has been re edited and modified in various degrees, but the main idea of the theory applies to a specific cases that generally deals with significant transitions in life, such as transfer from two academically different schools. I chose to address Schlossberg’s theory on transfer students and what dilemmas they face during the process. This theory is used as a guideline, in order to help young adults adapt to the new environment and continue their education/goals in life.

Schlossberg’s theory uses different questionnaires and statistics to determine the ability of a certain person, so he or she can easily cope with the transition. However the main focus of the paper will be on Diane Rodriguez-Kiino’s journal of applied research on “Supporting Students in Transition: Perspectives and Experiences of Community College Transfer Students” and on “Marginality of transfer commuter students written by Corinne Maekawa Kodama.

The main firework of Rodriguez’s article focuses on applied Schlossberg theory (1984), which discussion the perspectives and abilities of community college transfer students, the harsh reality of the experience and actual idealistic expectations young adults face when confronting the 4 year institution.

The latter article discusses the marginality of commuter transfer students, the environment and social structure that contributes greatly to accelerating the strange and isolated feeling the transfer students experience. Both articles mainly focus on students that come from varying background and ethnicity providing essential evidence for my research.

The research on transfer Student is important to me because I faced the similar challenges. According Eimers and Mullen article on “Transfer Student Profile”("Fall 1997), “ transfer students make up nearly half of the student body at some public, 4-year universities” , therefore, it is important to search solution for the transfer dilemma.

Case

Interview with two transfer students that provides counter argument on research proposal. One student has an upright academic path, while experiencing segregation and isolation from Rutgers Community. The other student faces good social relations, however, suffers in academic achievements. In addition, an interview with Dean Diamond or Instructor of STUDENTS IN TRANSITIONS SEMINAR (STS) - Tia Howard will help me focus on specific problems transfer student face themselves. The interview with instructors will provide insight on the transfer system structure, specifically success or failure of STAR day. What is being done to help transfer student and how is Rutgers improving the structure each year based on experiences transfer student provide.

Work Cited

American Association of Community Colleges (2013). Fast facts from our fact sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.aacc.nche.edu/AboutCC/Pages/fastfactsfactsheet.aspx

Eimers, Mardy, and Robert Mullen. "Transfer Students: Who Are They and How Successful Are They at the University of Missouri?" Journal Articles; Reports - Research V72 N3 (1997): P9-19. Print

F. Tobolowsky, Barbara, and Bradley E. Cox. "Rationalizing Neglect: An Institutional Response to Transfer Students." The Journal of Higher Education Vol. 83, No. 3 (2012). Print.

Inteviews with :  Robin Diomond- Assistant dean and Director,

   Tia M. Howard -Students in Transition Seminar (STS) Instructor at Rutgers University, Co-Social Chairperson at Rutgers University, Graduate Assistant at Rutgers…

   NANA Gotsadze - undergraduate student at Rudgers University

  

Johnson-Ahorlu, R. N., Alvarez, C. L., and Hurtado, S. (2013). Undermining the Master Plan: Divestment in higher education and student experiences. Journal of College Admission, 218, 22-35.

Schlossberg, N.K. (1984). Counseling adults in transition: Linking practice with theory. New York: Springer

Maekawa Kodama, Corinne. "Marginality of Transfer Commuter Students." NASPA Journal 39.3 (2002): 233. Print.

Rodriguez-Kiino, Diane. "Supporting Students in Transition: Perspectives and Experiences of Community College Transfer Students." Journal of Applied Research in the Community College 20.2 (2013): 5-14. Print.

Townsend, B. K., and Wilson, K. (2006). “A hand hold for a little bit”: Factors facilitating the success of community college transfer students to a large research university. Journal of College Student Development, 47, 439-456.