Suffolk Recognized for 'Friendliness' to Transfer Students

Suffolk University is one of 78 colleges and universities recognized for the dynamic pathways they have created to support students transferring from community colleges. Suffolk has been named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2019 Transfer Honor Roll.

The Transfer Honor Roll recognizes four-year colleges’ and universities’ excellence and success in community college transfer pathway development.

“Suffolk has always had a commitment to assisting transfers from our Massachusetts community colleges as well as those across the country,” said Donna Grand Pré, Suffolk University’s Vice President for Admission & Financial Aid. “One out of five new students in the fall have always been transfers—we are proud to welcome them with generous transfer credits, personal advising, and Phi Theta Kappa scholarships. Our commitment to transfer students grows each year as do our transfer student successes.”

Institutions were selected for the Honor Roll based on a Transfer Friendliness Rating derived from data submitted to PTK Connect, an online tool for students exploring what colleges or universities would be a good fit as they move along the higher education path.

Data points that helped Suffolk achieve a high Transfer Friendliness Rating include:

• 5 staff members are dedicated to serving transfer students
• On average, 95 percent of transfer credits are accepted to count toward a degree
• 95 percent of transfer students receive need-based aid
• 90 percent of transfer students receive merit-based aid
• 45 percent of Suffolk University transfer students are from in-state, and 55 percent are from out of state

The transfer profile includes information about admissions practices, cost of attendance, campus life, and recruitment practices, as well as peer reviews. It is meant to reflect what the transfer student experience is like at a university like Suffolk and to inform students about institutional strategies for supporting and enrolling transfer students.

The profile immediately gives colleges a Transfer Friendliness Rating, with colleges rated in the top 25 percent named to the Transfer Honor Roll.

“The Transfer Honor Roll reflects the growing importance of recognizing and responding to the needs of transfer students,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Lynn Tincher- Ladner. “We know community college transfer students perform as well as or better than non-transfer students at four-year colleges. It’s more important than ever before to highlight what these colleges are doing right to promote transfer success and to encourage others to follow suit.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations.