The small percentage of students who transfer out of Biola may be doing so with reluctance. Biola’s student retention rates are not out of the norm when compared to other universities, said Carrie Stockton, senior director of academic advising and student retention. Fifteen percent of freshmen transfer out of Biola after their first year, and about 20 percent of students transferring into Biola leave after their first year as well.

Out of last year’s freshman class of 914 students, 137 of those did not return and of the 313 transfer students, 75 did not return either, Stockton said.

Since there is not currently an exit interview for students transferring out of Biola, it cannot be determined what the most common reasons for transferring are. However, it can be speculated that those reasons include financial, academic and family issues, Stockton said.

Reluctant transfers

The decision to leave Biola is not an easy choice for some students. Financial issues are among the common speculated reasons that force students to leave with hesitance.

“Really, that's the only reason I can think of right now that I ever would transfer out of Biola. I really do like it here,” said James O’Hearn, sophomore journalism major.

O’Hearn will be forced to leave Biola at the end of the current semester due to funding issues.

For others, Biola is not meeting their academic needs as they had hoped. For Helen Boorman, junior biochemistry major, the decision to leave Biola is based on her academic preparedness for her future career. The biochemistry program at Biola does not give an emphasis on molecular biology, which is essential for a career in forensics, Boorman said.

Options after Biola

For students who leave Biola for various reasons, the options for continuing their education may not be very wide. Students struggling with finances most commonly are forced to turn to community college. O’Hearn will be attending Bakersfield College to complete his general education before transferring elsewhere to finish his degree.

Students seeking a better academic fit will have to seek out universities that better fit their intended career needs. Boorman will be transferring to Washington State University with the hopes of a more focused biochemistry program.

Seeking affordability

Biola is taking steps to become more affordable and meet the financial crises that students are facing, said President Barry Corey in a previous article. These steps include increasing financial aid and keeping tuition increases as minimal as possible.