Community Colleges: More time to plan for your future

Though sometimes overshadowed by the ritz and glitz of liberal arts schools and bustling research universities, community colleges truly provide a great introduction to higher education. Typically offering a range of two-year associates degrees, certificate programs and vocational training, community colleges present a good jumping off point for those unsure of what direction they might want to head. Moreover, since the majority of schools have adopted an open enrollment policy, all most students need is a high school diploma or GED and the desire to register.

If you’re wary of enrolling in community college but unsure of whether a four-year school is the right move for you at this time, consider the following:

Click here: https://www.mycollegeoptions.org/Core/SiteContent/Students/Advice/College-Resource-Center/College-Search---Selection/College-Choices/Community-Colleges.aspx

REASONABLE PRICE TAG

Community colleges are generally thousands of dollars cheaper than either public or private four-year institutions. Additionally, despite the reduced rate, financial aid is often available for those students unable to cover the full cost.  What’s more, the low tuition also allows students to save for bachelors programs, should they decide to apply in the future.  

UNPARALLELED FLEXIBILITY

Unlike many four-year colleges and universities, community colleges don’t require you to be a full-time student.  You have the ability to take a few classes while you simultaneously focus on other pursuits. Indeed, you can juggle a couple courses as you develop artistic ambitions, hold down a job or tend to familial obligations.  

IMPROVE YOUR ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

Many students often don’t hit their academic stride until after they graduate from high school. Community college offers students a clean slate and the chance to explore both new and traditional subjects from a fresh perspective. Additionally, small class sizes and individual attention translate into a supportive environment that truly provides the tools for success. Certainly, it’s quite common for students to use an associates program as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree. In fact, many community colleges maintain partnerships with four-year institutions that guarantee an acceptance letter should the student meet GPA and course requirements.

STAY CLOSE TO HOME

There are a number of students who, though armed with a diploma in hand, don’t feel quite ready to leave the nest. Of course, there are also a handful of young adults whose families rely on them for help and support. Regardless of reasons or factors, plenty of students must attend school locally. Fortunately, accessibility is the hallmark of community college and there’s usually a campus within a short drive of most towns.  Further, many programs are even adding online components. We think you’d be hard pressed to find a better commute!

Amidst the hoopla of frat parties, Division I sports and hallowed and historic lecture halls, it’s easy to dismiss community college. However, two-year schools provide fantastic educational opportunities. They allow students to dip their toe into the higher ed. waters without fear that they will drown (metaphorically speaking of course). Further, they allow students to move at their own time and their own pace, helping ignite new passions along the way. And all the while maintaining an exceedingly affordable price tag! 

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Pima Community College

Community College: A Viable Option

What do an Academy Award nominated actor, the first female space shuttle commander, the governor of Hawaii, and the president of the NAACP have in common? All four got their start at a community college.

Click here: http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/articles/Pages/CommunityCollege.aspx

More and more students are enrolling in community colleges across the nation, even as media attention focuses mostly on selective four-year colleges. Why are students choosing community colleges, and should you consider a community college as a part of your college search?

The Economic Option

One reason for the growing popularity of community colleges is their relatively low tuition. Overall, the average cost of public community colleges is less than half the cost of public four-year colleges and about one-tenth the cost of private four-year colleges.

"Community college is a way for students to afford college without accumulating huge debts," says a Massachusettes independent counselor. "Two years at a community college are fairly inexpensive, so the total cost for a full four years is relatively low."

As a result, students who spend two years at a community college and then transfer to a four-year college spend less money for the same bachelor's degree as their classmates.

The Associate's Degree Option

Of course, the two-year associate's degree is a goal in itself for many community college students. Community colleges offer a wide variety of programs that train students to work in specialized fields, such as dental hygiene, computer technology, nursing, and culinary arts.

"The push for everyone to go to a four-year college ignores the fact that not everyone is suited by talent or interest to spending four years studying many of the same subjects they hated in high school," the counselor says. "In two years, students can get training for a fulfilling and well-paying career."

The Transfer Option

For students who want the four-year degree, community colleges work with four-year colleges to make sure that students can make a smooth transfer. (You might even be able to complete your bachelor's degree through another college but at the community college.) Most community colleges maintain transfer or "articulation" agreements with a number of four-year colleges. These agreements map out exactly which community college courses will transfer to a specific four-year college. They may even guarantee admission as a junior to students who fulfill certain course work and grade requirements. For more information on whether the community college you're considering has articulation agreements with the four-year colleges that interest you, talk to an academic advisor at the community college.

Some students use their two years at community college to improve their chances of getting into a more selective four-year college.

"Almost no colleges will look at your SATs or high school grades after you complete community college," notes New Jersey counselor. Instead, you will be measured by your performance at the community college. This is good news for students with less-than-stellar high school records.

"Community college offers an opportunity to prepare for a bachelor's degree program at a college you might have been unable to be accepted to out of high school," another New Jersey counselor says.

The Flexible Option

Most community colleges cater to students of all ages and backgrounds. As a result, you'll often find more options in class scheduling, including evening and weekend classes. Distance learning is also one of the strengths of community colleges, with a variety of courses offered online, by correspondence or by other alternative methods (such as "telecourses").

An Option for You?

Community colleges can have some drawbacks for students who want the residential college experience. The majority of community colleges do not offer dorms (although you can find some that do), and many community college students have full-time work or family obligations. As a result, you may not find the same breadth or depth of social options and extracurricular activities that you would at a traditional four-year residential college. On the other hand, community college often provides a more supportive learning environment, with smaller class sizes and an emphasis on academic and career counseling, than do larger universities.

As with all college decisions, make sure to research the specific community colleges that interest you. Like their four-year counterparts, each community college is unique, and you must decide for yourself which colleges may be right for you.

But don't automatically cross community colleges off your list. After all, they were right for actor Dustin Hoffman (Santa Monica College); the first female space shuttle commander, Eileen Collins (Corning Community College); former Hawaii Governor Benjamin Cayetano (Los Angeles Harbor College); and a former president of the NAACP, Kweisi Mfume (Baltimore City Community College).

To learn more about the Community Colleges in your area, simply complete a "Google Search," and contact an admission professional within the college directly.