Huffington Post – The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center issued a report to suggest that the traditional model of higher education – a 4-year degree attained at one college – is disappearing. This trend, first noticed in the 1980s, has been sped up by technology and market pressures. Online classes give students more college options than before; even attending a distant college is no longer a problem. Students also apply to more colleges than ever before, and do not feel the same loyalty to schools that their parents and grandparents did. If a college isn’t working for them, they are far more likely to drop out, transfer, or change majors. For more, read Student Swirl and the Coming Threat to Higher Education.

 

RSC reminds students that having more college options is better than limiting yourself to just a few, but that transferring colleges to save money can have the opposite effect and should not be done lightly. Better to pick the right college the first time and potentially save thousands of dollars while avoiding the frustration that comes with a transfer. If you must change schools, do so after careful consideration and numbers crunching. Don’t stay loyal to a brand college for loyalty’s sake, but do stay true to your goals. Picking the right college and the right major before you go off to college can save you time, money and lots of aggravation.