Understanding reverse transfer options at Northwest Vista College?

I've heard about reverse transfer options at Northwest Vista College. Can someone explain what this means? Is it common for students to take this route, and how does it impact their degree completion?

Sure, I'd be happy to explain what reverse transfer is, as it's a great option to offer flexibility for many students. Essentially, a reverse transfer is a process where academic credits that a student earns at a four-year university are transferred back to a community college where they were previously enrolled in order to complete an associate degree.

In the case of Northwest Vista College, if you transferred to a 4-year institution before completing your associate degree, you might still be eligible to earn your associate degree by transferring credits from your 4-year institution back to Northwest Vista College through a reverse transfer.

This opportunity is helpful for students who started at community college (like Northwest Vista College), moved onto a 4-year institution, but left before completing enough credits to earn their bachelor’s degree. So, the student would have collected a significant number of credits, but without any degree to show for their work. Hence, the idea of transferring credits 'in reverse' originated so that these students could at least secure an associate degree.

The impact on degree completion varies from student to student. If a student is close to completing the requirements for an associate degree, reverse transferring could make sense. It allows them to earn a credential while still working towards their bachelor's degree. According to some studies, students who receive an associate degree via reverse transfer are more likely to continue and graduate from a 4-year degree program.

As for how common it is, this largely depends on the individuals and their unique academic trajectories. In general, it is a fairly common practice at community colleges across the U.S., and has been used to boost completion rates. Many students find the flexibility of this route beneficial and use it to their advantage. However, it's important to remember that this route isn't for everyone. It's something you should consider based on your own academic progress, future plans, and the requirements of the programs you're interested in.