Ways to Recruit Transfer Students in Higher Ed

According to Inside Higher Ed, one-quarter of public four-year higher ed students are transfers. Even more than that – about one-third – of undergraduates have transferred between schools at least once.

Whether they’re transferring for financial reasons, a change in their major, or are just hoping to find a better fit, having university marketing strategies dedicated to transfer students is crucial.

Let’s talk about why it’s so important to come up with a marketing plan that helps you get in front of more transfer students.

Why transfer students are important to the recruitment market

In the U.S., there are several routes to higher education, including earning a two-year community college degree before transferring to a university to earn a four-year degree.

But there are dozens of reasons a student might transfer universities, including changing majors, financial barriers, or simply trying to find a better fit for themselves.

Related: How to Map Students to Your Higher Ed Funnel

There’s an entirely untapped market for your team to reach – so how do you get in front of them? To understand how to advertise to these students, you first have to understand the transfer process, including why it’s messy.

Why is the transfer process so messy?

Over the years, attracting transfer students has become increasingly important when it comes to meeting your institution’s enrollment and revenue goals.

But the truth is, we have a long way to go in smoothing the transfer process. 

The process is focused on first-time first-year students

From the credit process to the social structure, it’s easy for the focus to fall mostly on helping first-time first-year get accustomed to campus life. 

Credits are lost

A recent study by the City University of New York estimated that the average number of credits lost upon transferring to another school is more than 10 – that’s an entire semester’s worth of work gone!

Higher ed administrators and students alike are confused

The transfer process can be tricky for all involved – not just students! When it comes to the process and policies, higher ed administration teams may not know the answers the students are hoping for either.

Even worse, most transfer students find it challenging to put their hands on clear guidelines and are left to rely on websites that offer little guidance.

Put all of this together, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for what’s called transfer shock – a dip in grades and social disorientation. At best, it creates a difficult environment for the transfer student; at worst, it leads to drop-out.

Part of recruiting transfer students is taking the time to make sure they feel seen and supported from the get-go, but first, they have to find you.

That’s where a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution like Unibuddy comes in to help create a marketing strategy to attract students.

How does technology help transfer students find your school?

It’s simple: technology enables easier access to higher education and gives everyone an equal opportunity to engage with and apply to your school.

Whether a prospective transfer student is just across town or halfway across the world, technology makes getting to know your campus easy. That’s why finding the right technology should be the first thing you do in marketing to transfer students.

Related: How to Improve Student Access to Higher Education

When identifying the correct SaaS solution for your higher ed marketing team, ensure it’s built specifically for the education sector.

At Unibuddy, we aim to bolster higher ed access and help ensure that transfer students can make confident, informed decisions – regardless of where they are in the transfer process.

How can Unibuddy help smooth the transition?

Two of the most important things that will help prevent transfer shock are finding a mentor and becoming immersed in the campus.

And that’s what higher ed digital marketing tools like Unibuddy Chat and Unibuddy Community can help them do. 

Unibuddy Chat can provide student ambassadors to prospective students. These ambassadors can act as a mentor who can guide them through every step of the transfer process.

Related: How to Fit Unibuddy Into Your Higher Ed Marketing, Admissions, and Recruitment Programs

Because they trust their peers to give them unbiased information without an agenda, transfer students want to hear about campus life from current students. Moreover, a current student can make the transfer process seem less daunting.

But student ambassadors aren’t the only ones they’ll get to know – Unibuddy Chat also gives transfer students the chance to hear about the academic experience directly from faculty and your higher ed staff! 

Smoothing the transition for a transfer student doesn’t end once they’ve chosen to attend your institution. It’s just as important to help them feel that they already have a place they belong on campus with the help of Unibuddy Community – which is why you can never underestimate the importance of student engagement.

Unibuddy Community offers a network of hub-style groups that operate as group messages and are built upon the foundation of what students have in common. Oftentimes, this includes their hobbies, where they’re from, and interests, but many campuses might also offer a group specifically for transfer students. 

Allowing them to connect with their peers and get answers to their questions will ensure they don’t feel lost when they get to campus for the first time.

With the help of Unibuddy Community and Unibuddy Chat, you can ensure you’re getting in front of potential transfer students effectively while helping ease them into life on your campus.

To learn more about how you can use Unibuddy to improve transfer students’ experience and higher ed marketing plan, schedule a demo today.