<p>Washington Post of 6/17: Community college transfers rose 36 percent in Maryland and 34 percent in Virginia from 2000 to 2008, outpacing overall college enrollment growth in those states. Transfers to the University of Virginia doubled in that time, to more than 280 annually, which represents just under 10 percent of the typical junior class. Transfers were up 17 percent at the University of Maryland, 27 percent at George Mason University and 53 percent at Towson University. Each of them accepts more than 1,000 transfers a year…</p>
<p>For transfer students, the region’s public universities have never been more welcoming. In Charlottesville, transfers arrive to special orientation sessions and peer advisers. They are often paired with another transfer as a roommate.</p>
<p>“They’re not just plopped down and expected to fend for themselves,” said Greg Roberts, dean of admission at U-Va…</p>
<p>U-Va., a highly selective school, had some misgivings in 2006 when it began guaranteeing admission to qualified community college students. Transfer students gained such a leg up that some high school seniors tried to exploit that route by earning community college credits before graduation. Officials closed the loophole by requiring that transfer students be at least a year out of high school.</p>
<p>The transfer influx has brought diversity to Charlottesville as many top public universities are becoming increasingly wealthy and white. Last year’s transfer students were three times as likely as freshmen to come from low-income homes. </p>
<p>[Community-college</a> transfer students in Va., Md., easing into university level](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/16/AR2010061605737_2.html?sid=ST2010061700201]Community-college”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/16/AR2010061605737_2.html?sid=ST2010061700201)</p>