As the High School years go on, going to a university right away seems like a challenge both financially and educationally. As any alternative to a certain situation, there are both negatives and positives. One of the main selling points is that it is much cheaper than going straight into a four year. According to my research, a community college costs about 1/3 the price of a university while getting a general education that is almost just as beneficial. There are also easier, classes, which will allow students time to become accommodated with their new surroundings and the harder rigor of courses rather than being flung straight into a competitive program that is not what they are used to. In addition to allowing a less challenging experience, a junior college puts less pressure on picking a major right away, allowing students to really make the right decisions. What I would say is the biggest reason that community colleges are a great alternative is that they allow a student who did not do so well in high school to have a sort of clean slate and start anew. If a student performs well, the community college route may allow them to get into a much better school later on than if they had plunged into the university route right away.
Usually, a university offers a chance to meet new people and make connections with individuals that you never would have met otherwise. This is something that is usually not present at a community college setting, and it is a crucial benefit that just might be necessary for you. By growing closer to other students, you may receive help on courses that you are struggling with, and have people to help support you in times of stress and disarray. The lack of involved students at a community college may also affect the classroom experience, as professors may not be able to teach as well if there is nobody participating and benefiting the discussion. Despite all these negatives, the community college route is nothing to just dismiss, and can be the answer that many graduates are looking for. Transferring to a university after a community college is the best way for a student to either start over, increase their chances of getting into a certain university, or allow them to save money that they would otherwise have to go into debt to obtain.
https://www.scholarships.com/resources/college-prep/choosing-the-right-school/the-pros-and-cons-of-community-colleges/
https://www.communitycollegereview.com/blog/successful-transfer-students-show-community-college-as-viable-option
https://thecollegeinvestor.com/18206/community-colleges-viable-alternative/
As the pressure of applying to colleges rises, the question of applying to community colleges is always a question. From my point of view, I think that there's no hurt in applying. With your research, it sounds like community college has a lot of benefits that could make it a great choice. For a lot of people, the financial aspect of going to college can be stressful, so if community college is a third of the price of a university, then it seems like a very good advantage. Others might want to start with a clean slate, and community college is their only choice. For people who don't want to go to a university, or have reasons not to, it seems like community college could be the best option for them.
ReplyDeleteI also question this myself too. Community college is actually a good thing since you are able to be flexible with the college. For the first two years of college and universities all the classes are GED classes. So if you apply to community college and then transfer you will be able to save money, but as you stated universities have rigrous courses which are much more intense than community college.
ReplyDeleteThis is something that has been on my mind lately. All of my middle and high school career I had my mind set on a university. I took as many AP and honors classes as I could in order to make my application stand out. However, now after seeing prices of tuitions, boarding, and all other costs that come with going to a university, community college has now become an option for me to consider. Unless I get scholarships, I wold have to have student debt in order to go to a university. Financial aid only covers a small part of tuition. I would also have to find a place to stay, whereas community would allow me to stay at home. My main concern is will I be receiving the same quality of education at a community college that I would at a university. I would also want to insure my credits would transfer. If I do go to a community college, I would transfer after two years. This is something I will further look into.
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