For the fifth year in a row, Elmhurst University has been selected as one of the most transfer-friendly colleges and universities in the country.
Elmhurst U. was recently named to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2024 Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the outstanding programs the University has created to support students transferring to Elmhurst from area community colleges.
The designation was determined by 40 criteria related to the support and success of transfer students, including college costs and financial aid, quality of campus life for transfer students, admission practices and bachelor’s degree completion rates.
“Elmhurst University has always valued transfer students as vital members of our University community, so it’s sensational that an outside organization that works solely with transfer students and community colleges thinks so highly of what we’re doing,” says Michelle Adams, assistant vice president for admission.
Elmhurst University enrolls more than 500 new transfer students each year, mostly from the Chicago area’s 12 community colleges. Elmhurst is known for a number of distinctive transfer-friendly programs, including Transfer Talk ’n’ Tour Weeks to share information about the University and transfer enrollment; providing transfer credit evaluations early in the process; and offering one-on-one meetings with admission counselors to discuss anything from transferrable credits and scholarship opportunities to what college life is like for transfer students at Elmhurst.
This year also marked the fifth year that Elmhurst U. hosted its Transfer Scholarship Competition, which rewards admitted transfer students who are curious about where their college education will take them and how they will impact the future.
This year’s first-place winner, Jose Rodriguez of Melrose Park, received a $10,000 renewable scholarship for up to two years of study at Elmhurst. Rodriguez is transferring to Elmhurst from Triton College and plans to major in engineering physics and computer science. The second-place winner, Jumi Salama of Glen Ellyn, received a $5,000 renewable scholarship. She is transferring from College of DuPage and will be studying psychology.
“The goal of most students attending community college is earning a bachelor’s degree, but few do because of financial barriers and the complexity of the transfer process,” says Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “We are proud to recognize the exceptional colleges and universities that go above and beyond to create accessible pathways to bachelor’s degree completion for community college transfer students.”
By expanding access to four-year institutions of higher learning through its award-winning transfer programs, Elmhurst fosters growth-minded paths for development in our students, giving them timeless knowledge and skills to thrive as adaptive leaders.
“Being named to the PTK Honor Roll for a fifth year is exciting because it shows our transfer students that we are well-versed in and committed to providing a seamless transfer to Elmhurst,” says Kristina Black ’09, MBA ’21, director for academic partnerships and transfer admission. “We take the guesswork out of the transfer process, allowing our students to focus on getting acclimated to Elmhurst and, ultimately, their future.”