The Power of a Promise: Dual Admission for Community College-to-University Transfer Students

Abstract

Dual admission programs offer students who are not quite ready for enrollment at a four-year university joint admission to the university and a partner community college. After completing program requirements, students are automatically admitted to the university. We examine the experience of students offered dual admission to an urban, Hispanic-serving university and partner college. We found that students who participated in the dual admission program were more likely to have completed an associate degree before transferring and earned bachelor’s degrees at higher rates. Our qualitative findings revealed that the dual admission promise helped students maintain their bachelor’s degree dreams and validated a four-year student identity. While starting at the community college built their academic confidence, the guarantee of a seat at the university was motivational and increased enrollment intensity.