Bellarmine鈥檚 annual student demographic report reveals a greater number of students have transferred into the university than ever before.
Summer and fall enrollment for transfer students is 22 percent above the 5-year average. Retention rates for transfer students are at an all-time high, as well.
鈥淚 think this increase shows that Bellarmine is making good on its promise to be a more accessible, affordable option for students from all backgrounds,鈥 said Dr. Michael Marshall, Bellarmine鈥檚 vice president for Enrollment, Marketing and Communication. 鈥淥ur strategic plan calls us to be more accessible and we鈥檝e made great strides in becoming so for transfer students.鈥
Bellarmine has been working closely with regional community colleges to create flexible transfer pathways, like the one unveiled last year for Jefferson Community and Technical College. The 2BU program allows students to start their academic journey at Jefferson and transfer credits to Bellarmine to earn a bachelor or graduate degree. Tuition is reduced for students in the program, who receive other benefits as well. Two 2BU students are awarded full scholarships each year.
This year, Bellarmine鈥檚 Office of Military & Veteran Services also announced the expansion of its services with a Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, which is attracting more military-affiliated transfers.
Students have found Bellarmine鈥檚 recent designation as a NCAA DI university an attractive reason to transfer, too.
Some students, like Hanah Carter, are simply looking for an excellent undergraduate experience.
Carter transferred to Bellarmine after starting her student career in Colorado, then taking some time off from academia to decide what she wanted to do. She鈥檚 now an Environmental Science major with plans to study coastal ecology in graduate school. She started the Bellarmine beekeeping club and has been active in the campus sustainability community.
鈥淏ellarmine has been a better fit. It was serendipitous, really, a gift,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed the community and the smaller classrooms. I really like the faculty, they鈥檙e very approachable and accessible, and they really want to be invested in students鈥 lives in a way that鈥檚 not often true of big box universities.鈥
Carter said she actually didn鈥檛 know much about Bellarmine when she applied, but the admissions staff was so amiable, warm and helpful, she immediately got a good feeling.
鈥淭hey were so nice working with me on the different parts of my application,鈥 she said.
Whatever their background, transfer students receive an abundance of support to make the transition easier, said Shelby Sullivan, assistant dean of Undergrad Admissions.鈥
Transfer students鈥痑re invited to special orientations, where they get one-stop access to all the offices on campus and a thorough introduction to campus programs,鈥痵ervices鈥痑nd technology.鈥
Transfer students鈥痑lso get a dedicated academic advisor鈥痶o ensure they鈥痵ettle into鈥痶heir new studies鈥痑s seamlessly as possible.鈥
鈥淲e work very closely with each student to make sure they鈥檝e got everything they need to feel welcome, comfortable and prepared for a successful transition,鈥 Sullivan said.
For those who are interested鈥痠n transferring, we host virtual sessions regularly to get you connected and get your questions answered.
Click here to check which credits will transfer,鈥痳equest a transcript鈥痳eview鈥痮r find answers to all your questions about鈥痶ransferring.鈥