Biology Transfer Students: Building Personalized Connections

Abstract

15% of Biological Sciences undergraduates began their academic careers on other campuses. On average, transfer students show a 0.77 point drop in GPA in their first term compared to their incoming cumulative GPA. These students also report shock at the differing expectations, social isolation, and frustration at the transfer process. This project will expand interventions we developed to smooth the transition of transfer students and improve their success: we will bring advising to prospective transfer students, increase transparency of BIOSC course expectations, and build better supports on the Pittsburgh campus via peer mentoring and a Biology Transfer Seminar.

Collaborators

Principal Investigator - Jessica Wandelt
Kevin Wu
Christine Berliner
Lauren Yaich