Retention, Completion Rates Excel for Transfer Students

In honor of National Transfer Student Week (NTSW), held annually the third week of October, Texas A&M University highlights the contributions and achievements of its transfer student community.

With approximately 3,000 students, transfer admissions make up approximately 4% of the student body at Texas A&M. Notably, their four- and six-year retention and graduation rates are higher than those of traditional students.

“I think many on our campus will be surprised that the retention and graduation rates of our transfer students are actually higher year over year,” said Dr. Timothy Scott, vice provost for academic affairs. “These rates are a testament to the quality of the transfer students we accept and the University’s efforts to welcome them and support their success.”

Texas A&M offers several transfer-specific resources, including the Transfer Student Program (TSP), which includes the Transfer Village and peer mentors, and T-Camp, an orientation experience specifically for transfer students. This semester, Texas A&M launched the Transfer Luminary Scholarship Program to further its commitment to the success of transfer students.

“The Transfer Luminary Scholarship Program has been newly established and will award scholarships to 50 students in the Fall 2024 cohort,” said Val Coleman, TSP associate director. “The TSP provides academic, adjustment and mentoring support and aims to foster a sense of community between transfer students and the Luminary Scholars.”

In recognition of NTSW, two Aggies shared their experiences as transfer students on campus.

Emily Brown ’26 – Searching for her Aggie family

Junior Emily Brown attended Houston Community College as part of its Honors College, a program designed to help students transition to a four-year college. After completing her associate degree, Brown decided to transfer to Texas A&M to pursue her bachelor’s degree in workforce development.

“A&M is super prestigious,” Brown said. “It had the Aggie network and sense of community that I felt was missing from a community college perspective.”

Before her first semester at Texas A&M, Brown decided to attend T-Camp, a three-day orientation for transfer students that followed her New Student Conference (NSC). Through her NSC and T-Camp, Brown networked with other transfer students and learned about TSP.

“Learning TSP was one of the first things that made me not feel alone,” Brown said. “It said, ‘A&M has many ways to help, but we’re here specifically for you,’ and that was a huge relief.”

When her classes began, Brown experienced “transfer shock,” a phenomenon in which students have difficulty adjusting academically and socially after transferring. To address these feelings, Brown turned to the TSP and the Transfer Village.

“The Transfer Village was a safe place both physically and mentally,” Brown said. “I had this one place on campus where I could be with staff and other students who knew what I was going through.”

As her first semester nears the end, Brown feels supported and accepted by the Aggie community and hopes future transfer students can find the same sense of belonging.

“I want to encourage the next generation of transfer students because it can be very easy to get lost and slip through the cracks, but we are here,” Brown said. “You don’t start here as a freshman, but you find your way here. You find your way to be an Aggie.”

Raeesah Khan ‘25 – Encourage growth and mentorship

Psychology major Raeesah Khan attended Lone Star College before transferring to Texas A&M, a university she felt was a perfect fit for her.

“A&M was an opportunity to grow outside of Houston, and I felt like I needed the change of environment to meet new people,” Khan said. “Plus, I’ve heard about the Aggie Network since college became a regular part of my life, so I thought about it.”

During her first year as an Aggie, Khan struggled with imposter syndrome, a feeling of self-doubt that often leaves someone wondering if they belong, even if they’ve earned their spot.

“It was definitely a really big adjustment because I never realized how big the classes would be,” Khan said. “At first I was overwhelmed, but then I realized I had to learn differently.”

After overcoming the challenges she faced as a transfer student, Khan realized she wanted to help other transfer students do the same. She then applied to be a transfer peer mentor at TSP.

“It is beneficial for both me and the students to be a mentor,” Khan said. “It helped me network with other transfer students because I can learn from their experiences. The TSP is a great way to learn about resources.”

Students can visit the TSP and Transfer Village on the second floor of Hotard Hall to learn more about resources for transfer students. Additionally, students can follow @successtamu on Instagram for information about NTSW events on campus.

“Transfer students are an important part of our student body,” Scott said. “They bring a different experience to campus that can help us learn how to better serve all students.”