Community College - Is It The Right Place For You?
By Patrick Austin
Community colleges have become a staple of many areas offering quality college-level courses for people unable to attend a traditional four-year institution. However, many students view community college in a negative light. Some believe its a welcoming area for the mediocre and not good enough.
There are some drawbacks to attending community college, but there are a myriad of positives. Here are some…
1.) Low tuition costs: Compared to the tuition rates charged by traditional colleges, community colleges are a bargain and a half, especially when you consider the fact that many 100 and 200 level community college courses transfer equivocally to four-year institutions. That means Intro to English is equal, credit wise, at your local community college and the prestigious university that charges more than double for the same course.
2.) The two-year transfer track: If you attend a community college, it does not mean you will be unable to attend a four-year school. In fact, a popular strategy many students are employing is attending a community college for two years, attaining their associates degree, and then transferring to a four-year college. This is becoming so popular that some community colleges are actually forming arrangements with four-year universities that guarantee placement within the four-year university upon completion of an associates degree at a community college. This is an extremely cost-effective way to obtain a college degree (harkening back to positive #1 listed above) since students can complete all of their General Education requirements in community college for half the price and then complete their major courses at the four-year university. So basically, youll wind up with a bachelors degree from a prestigious university while saving a boatload of cash.
3.) Easier transition: Many students become overwhelmed by the dramatic transition from high school to college life. This can be attributed to leaving home and being independent or the intense coursework involved can just be a bit too much. Community college offers a good balance. Students are exposed to the more difficult coursework that is commonplace in four-year colleges, but they can stay close to home and slowly transition into a more independent lifestyle. So, if they decide to follow the two-year transfer track, theyll be more than capable of heading off to a university, being on their own, and having the experience of completing intense college-level coursework.
Some of the drawbacks
1.) Lack of bonding with fellow students: Most community college students are older in age, only attend part-time, and usually commute from their job. This means that the opportunity to bond with students and develop new relationships is much more challenging. In addition, if a students employs the aforementioned two-year transfer track, they might have a difficult time socially when they arrive at their four-year university. This is due to the fact that students already at the university may have developed a close group of friends during their first two years. This is especially true of students living in the dorms during their freshman and sophomore years. A community college transfer student will be lacking that experience with their fellow students.
2.) Being stuck close to home: This may not be a drawback to some people but to others, it can be hell. And Im not just talking about students. Some parents may be more than willing to let their child go off to college and become their own person. So, if their child decided to attend community college and request to stay at home for a couple more years, that can be equally painful for the adult.
Conclusion: As you can see, there are numerous positives to attending community college. Of course, there are some drawbacks to the experience. But ultimately, the decision of whether or not to attend community college is dependent on you and what you feel is best for your situation.
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