Abstract
A study of the Reverse Transfer Students at Cerritos Community College revealed that the Reverse Transfer Student group was much larger (24.5 percent), more responsible, and better educated than might have been anticipated from the literature and from interviews. The four-year graduates (7.5 percent) were at Cerritos because they intended to improve their occupational skills (58.0), to add a practical occupational dimension to their existing field of expertise, and to take classes for personal growth and interest (53.5 percent). The community college was frequently chosen because there was no tuition (32.8 percent). The reverse transfer non-graduate students (17.0 percent) were a group returning to the community college for assistance. Their first choice of reasons for attending was to prepare to return to the four-year institution (56.1 percent). They too were interested in occupational skills (50.0 percent). Both sub-groups' added responsibilities showed up in the study. For instance, 82.4 percent of the non-graduate students work, and 77.8 percent of the graduates work were both higher than the overall group. About 36.1 percent of the graduate group and 20.0 percent of the non-graduate group work over forty hours per week. The four-year graduates have 55.6 percent married. The non-graduates have only 24.5 percent married. The reverse transfer student has a higher G.P.A. than any other group. Their aspirations are also high. Exactly 50.0 percent aspire to have a Master's degree and over 12.0 percent plan to earn a doctorate degree. A literature review and the survey instrument are included.