Looking Beyond Two Points: A Longitudinal Analysis of GPA Trajectories Before and After Transfer

Looking Beyond Two Points: A Longitudinal Analysis of GPA Trajectories Before and After Transfer

Transfer students may experience a drop in academic performance and GPA as they transition to a new academic environment, potentially impacting their retention. This drop is well-documented and while some transfer students recover and match or exceed the GPA of non-transfer peers, those who are unable to increase their GPAs after drop have a lower rate of degree attainment. In this presentation, we share research findings of a study on GPA drop and the effects on retention and completion for transfer students at a large, public university in the Midwest (MidU). We utilized two-piece growth curve models to estimate trajectories for student performance before transfer and after transfer, particularly as compared to matched non-transfer peers. The effect of GPA drop on the probability of students earning a degree is also discussed.

Speakers:
Shanna Jaggars (Speaker) The Ohio State University, AVP Research & Program Assessment, Office of Student Academic Success

Marcos D. Rivera (Speaker) The Ohio State University, Postdoctoral Researcher

Antonio D. Hernandez (Speaker)