Who are Transfer Students?
True or False: Most transfer students start their studies at York right after high school?
False- they begin after completing some postsecondary education.
Transfer students contribute to York's ------ and ------.
Enrollment and Retention
Ontario CAAT
Transfer students often bring strong -------- skills from previous studies.
Academic
Name one academic challenge transfer students face.
Credit transfer issues
Adapting to university administrative changes
Transfer shock
Etc.
What are some motivations for transfer?
Degree aspirations and professional advancement
Desire for a “better fit” academically, socially, or geographically.
Financial accessibility (college often chosen for affordability, with a plan to transfer later) (Cepeda, Duelow, Jaggards, & Rivera, 2021).
Encouragement from parents to pursue further education and demonstrate to family members that success is possible.
True or False: Supporting transfer students improves institutional reputation.
True
What type of degree do transfer students pursue the most at York University?
Bachelor of Arts
True or False: Transfer students are often more motivated and goal oriented.
True
What social challenges do transfer students often face when studying at York University?
1.Invisibility: Transfers often feel ignored by institutional culture, which prioritizes first-year, direct entry students.
2.Belonging gaps: Harder to enter pre-formed peer groups; many feel “in between” first year and upper-year cohorts.
3.Commuting/work barriers: Reduced time on campus limits involvement in clubs and events.
What are the sources of transfer?
•Sources of transfer: Ontario college pathways (vertical transfers), other Canadian universities (lateral transfers), international institutions, and York’s internal transfers (Carroll & LaViolet, 2021).
What is one key reason why transfer students matter at York University?
Equity & Access
Classroom Enrichment
Institutional Success
In fall 2025, what do you think was the top major that transfer students came into at York University?
Psychology
Name two personal strengths transfer students contribute.
Resilience
Maturity
Prior academic experience
adaptability
Why might transfer students have a shorter time to engage on campus?
Fewer years left to complete degree
What is the demographic pattern of transfer students?
First generation
Mature
Commuting balancing academic, work, and family
From low income and equity deserving backgrounds
How does supporting transfer students align with York's strategic goals?
Improves access, retention, and student success
What are the top 3 cities where transfer students come from in Ontario?
Toronto
North York
Brampton
Why might transfer students have stronger time-management skills than direct-entry students?
Many balance jobs, family, or already navigated postsecondary institutions.
Name two emotional barriers that transfer students often face.
Imposter syndrome
Stress & anxiety
Marginalization
What key characteristic distinguishes transfer students from direct-entry students, and why does their distinction matter for how we support them?
Transfer students have already completed some postsecondary education before coming to York, which means they arrive with prior knowledge, credits, and life experience. This matters because their needs differ, support must focus on credit transfer, integration, and accelerated engagement, rather than first-time university adjustment.
Faculty note that transfer students often bring -----, -------, --------, and diverse perspectives that enrich discussions
Maturity, work experience, applied knowledge
What are the top 3 institutions that transfer students come from at York University?
Seneca
Humber
Sheridan
How does their prior experience benefit classroom learning?
They enrich discussions with diverse perspectives and applied knowledge
What is one institutional barrier transfer students commonly report?
Credit loss/delays
Advising gaps
Generic orientation/services