The College Transfer Student: The Forgotten Student. (2004). Bonita C. Jacobs. American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. 230 pp., $80.00 (paperback). ISBN 1-57858-058-7.

Review by: Winsora Blanford

Student Academic Services

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The College Transfer Student is a comprehensive guide. Contributors define the terminology associated with transfer as well as describe the increasing number of students who transfer between institutions and the conditions that encourage students to transfer credits. Describing the history and predicting trends in transfer, the authors offer an invaluable tool for administrators interested in optimizing the transfer student experience. However, the presentation of the material is so tedious that busy administrators, who could translate the information into policies and practices that retain transfer students through graduation, will be unlikely to read it.

In the chapters, faculty and administrators from both 2- and 4-year institutions highlight the benefits of considering transfer students so that admissions officers, orientation personnel, other faculty members, and even alumni affairs professionals can better serve this growing student population. The literature review cites community college journals that have included articles supportive of student transfer from 2- to 4-year institutions.

The current list of Web pages for each state's articulation agreement is a strong feature. Also noteworthy is the statement of agreement between the three national associations whose member institutions are involved in the award of transfer credit: the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the American Council on Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The contributors present a great foundation for the future implementation of policies and procedures aimed at retaining transfer students through graduation. The book is a worthy addition to the professional library of those who are advising transfer students.