“If you’re not happy there, you’re never going to find what you want”: Examining the transfer choice process for swirlers

Recent research reveals that many students are “swirling,” or transferring more than one time, and not always vertically. This rise in swirlers suggests that some students choose transfer institutions that do not fit their needs. Yet, very little research examines the choices students make as they seek to transfer from one school to another, and there is even less information about the experience of adult learners who transfer multiple times. The purpose of this descriptive case study is to explore the experiences and transfer college decision process of students who have transferred multiple times. Through examining the narratives of five swirling students, most of whom are adult learners, we aim to provide recommendations on how institutions can better support the choice process of non-traditional students and adult learners.