In 2019, the Transfer Advisory Committee (TAC) partnered with the Office of Institutional Research (IR) to develop and administer a campus-wide Transfer Student Survey. The survey included 26 Likert-type items designed to assess transfer students' satisfaction with various components of their experiences at SF State. Students were also asked six open-ended questions inviting further comment on various aspect of the transfer experience.
In late September, the survey was promoted through various SF State social media platforms, flyers, a dedicated website, video monitors across campus, the local learning management system (iLearn) and by email.
In mid-October, the survey was distributed via email to all enrolled transfer students (10,622 students). The survey period lasted two weeks.
Participating students were entered into a drawing for an SF State Bookstore gift card, Gator Dollars, and priority registration for the following semester. In addition, all survey respondents received a discount at Cafe Rosso.
Survey response rate: 1,639/10,622 = 15%.
Develop a deeper understanding of transfer students’ experiences regarding:
- their transition to SF State
- how available resources and programs address their unique needs
- becoming members of the university community
Prioritize and direct campus resources to ensure that, at SF State, transfers have access to support and experiences designed to help them reach their potential as students, and eventually as graduates contributing to the betterment of their community.
- 89% of respondents would still choose to enroll in SF State.
- Over 65% believe they are on track to graduate.
- Of those who viewed SF State as "very committed" to helping students transfer successfully, 64% rated creating a transfer-focused website as very important.
- Slightly less than 30% of respondents had an overall positive experience with a sense of belonging.
- Of those who viewed SF State as "very committed" to helping students transfer successfully, 80% indicated that improving initial transfer credit evaluation was very important.
- Students who rated SF State’s commitment to helping students transfer successfully as "very committed" also referred to these three areas as needing expanded transfer support:
- Resources for Transfer Population
- Community, Belonging, and Social Interaction
- Advising
- 53% of those who indicated they would still opt to attend SF State, given their experiences, prioritized these three areas as needing improvement:
- Advising
- Campus Events and Programs
- Evaluation of credits earned
- 64% of those who indicated they would not opt to attend SF State, given their experiences, prioritized these three areas as needing improvement:
- Campus Events and Programs
- Advising
- Clarity of Campus Communications
Analysis of the survey data was conducted by SF State's Office of Institutional Research. Find the report here.