Championing transfer students’ journeys through early awareness

Early transfer awareness can make the difference between a smooth transition and a stalled college journey. This article explores how high school counselors can guide community college–bound students through transfer planning, advising, and course selection to support long-term success.

In January 2025, Common App welcomed its first cohort of community colleges. We celebrate the addition of these colleges for broadening the opportunity for high-quality, affordable education that is accessible to all students. Community colleges serve as the initial point of entry into higher education for numerous students pursuing a bachelor's degree. However, research from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Community College Research Center (CCRC) shows a significant disparity: while 80% of these students express a desire to transfer, only 33% ultimately do so. A primary contributing factor to this gap appears to be students' lack of familiarity with the transfer process. However, high school counselors can play a vital role in helping these potential transfer students successfully navigate their transfer journey.

Advising gaps leave transfer students at a disadvantage

Data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) reinforces this, indicating that transfer students often lack understanding of the process and rarely engage with an advisor. This issue is compounded by the substantial workloads faced by community college advisors. A recent survey by the National Institute of Transfer Students (NISTS) highlighted "managing high workloads" and "inadequate staffing" as major concerns for transfer advisors. One advisor commented on their challenging situation, stating, "I am an office of one, supporting roughly 900 students...it's a lot."

Roughly one-third of transfer students applying through Common App transfer are from community colleges. At an average age of 19, many transfer students are just a year out of high school. A lack of awareness about the transfer process can cause students to incur unnecessary costs and lose valuable time by taking courses that don't transfer, potentially jeopardizing their path to a bachelor's degree.

The Transfer Playbook 2.0, released in Spring 2025 by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) and the Aspen Institute, addresses critical issues for transfer students and provides guidance for creating early, sustained, and inevitable advising systems. Key recommendations include:

• Make advising inevitable throughout community college
• Engage transfer students before, during, and after they transition to a university
• Start transfer outreach and advising in high school

High school counselors are uniquely positioned to champion early transfer awareness and proactively bridge students’ knowledge gaps regarding transfer.

Five ways counselors can help transfer students

1. Familiarize students with community college options before they graduate.
   High school counselors can play a crucial role in educating students about academic pathways to college, helping them understand that community colleges provide more than just technical or applied programs. It's important for students to know that most community colleges offer transfer programs that can lead to their preferred four-year institutions, are accredited in the same way as universities, and have programs designed to support students with non-traditional circumstances— typically at a more affordable cost than a four-year college. Most importantly, students should know that community colleges are open access, so if they want to go to college, there is a path to go regardless of GPA.
2. Introduce students to transfer terminology and the various transfer pathways.
   Students may be unfamiliar with the types of transfer pathways that exist. Familiarize potential community college students with terms like guaranteed admissions, joint admissions, and articulation agreements. All of these programs put students on track to a bachelor's degree with at least one partner college. If you have students entering the military or potential stop-out students, understanding credit for prior learning can be important when they return to school. Arming students with this simple knowledge early can help them understand the options that are available if the need arises.
3. Encourage students to seek advisement from both institutions before transferring.
   Getting students to seek advisement is tough, but essential. High school counselors should encourage all students to seek advisement early and often at their college, even if transfer is not part of their plan. For those seeking to transfer, stress the importance of seeking advisement from both their sending and receiving institutions.
4. Ensure students are aware of choices that impact their transfer journey, such as course and program selection.
   Course selection is essential to successful transfer. Even if they don’t plan to transfer to another college, many students transfer majors. According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, about a third of students change their major at least once, and 1 in 10 change more than once. Whether students are transferring colleges or majors, making wise course choices can help them maximize their transferable credits. High school advisors can assist students by explaining how different types of college courses—general education, major-specific, and electives—affect transferability within degree plans.
5. Connect students with Common App transfer resources.
   Even with information, students often don’t know where to start when looking to transfer. The Explore colleges page lets students filter schools based on multiple criteria, helping them find the best fit for their academic and personal priorities. Students can use the step-by-step transfer guide and access the Transfer resource center to plan their next steps.
   Hear from students who used Common App to simplify their college transfer journey. From managing applications and transcripts to accessing reliable resources, they share how Common App helped them stay organized and confident as they took the next step toward their new college.

By actively engaging in these five key areas, high school counselors can play a pivotal role in demystifying the transfer process for their students. Early awareness, coupled with a solid understanding of terminology, the importance of advisement, strategic course selection, and access to vital resources, can empower students to make informed decisions.

This proactive approach not only helps students avoid unnecessary costs and lost time but also ensures a smoother, more successful transition to a bachelor's degree, ultimately broadening access to higher education for all.

About the author

Batanya Gipson (she/her) is Director, Community College and Transfer Student Engagement for the Common Application. Batanya has over 15 years of experience working with academic, workforce, and continuing education students at the community college and baccalaureate levels. She is focused on promoting access and equity for community college and transfer students and is dedicated to helping identify and develop pathways for all students through higher education.