community college: an oft unexplored option

Q: Jeremy says: “what if i want to go to community college?”

A: my first thought upon reading this question was “…and?” so what if you want to go to community college, Jeremy? there isn’t anything wrong with it. sure, there is a common perception (misconception) that community colleges are dumping grounds for people who can’t cut it in “real” college, and that serious students should steer clear of them if they want to have any sort of future. there is also the idea that CCs are places to phase people out of academia and steer them into the lower level jobs that university-educated people won’t want. but these statements simply aren’t true, especially now that the tuition prices of even public four-year institutions are being inflated to the point where they are pricing out many potential applicants.

community college is a viable option for a number of reasons.

• schedule flexibility: many community colleges offer the same courses during the day and in the evening, so it is possible to be employed full-time while still working towards a degree.
• closer to home: for students who aren’t quite ready to leave the nest or who can’t for whatever reason, community colleges provide a way to be a part of the college world but still have the comforts of home right there. also, some CCs have dorms, so you really can leave the nest if you want to, but still be close enough to have a home-cooked meal every now and then.
• ability to transfer credits: if you know you want to eventually go to a four-year school but can’t at the present, you’re not out of luck. many community colleges have transfer agreements with area schools so that all of the coursework you take there can be applied to a bachelor’s degree in the future.
• less financial burden: tuition for community colleges tend to be much cheaper than those at four-year schools. for students who are either looking to get an associate’s degree or for those who want to transfer their community college credits to a four-year school, this is very helpful because they end up with less debt than those who go to traditional colleges.

in short, Jeremy, community colleges aren’t for dummies. they are a practical way to get an education and a respectable postsecondary option. you should definitely check out what the ones in your area offer and see if they are right for your future.

viewer mail!

 

here are my responses to a few questions that were messaged to me. if you don’t see yours, check back in a bit! i’m in the process of answering everything. thanks for asking, and keep the questions coming!

Q: is it better to visit colleges with friends or parents? my parents want to go together and look this summer, but i don’t want to go with them.

 

A. that’s a really great question. if my mom were to answer, she’d say something like, “you have to go with them because they’re going to be paying for it.” it’s the typical parent answer that usually has to be respected because, well, they’re usually the ones who are paying for it. also, your parents will want to help out in the decision-making process because this is a big step for them as well. they’ll want to know that the place where you will be spending the next few years of your life is a safe, healthy environment. many parents see the college admissions process as one of the last (and definitely one of the largest) decisions about your life that they will have an influence on. understanding these facts may make it easier for you to realize why your parents want to look at schools with you.

 

this doesn’t mean, however, that you have to sit back and allow them to make the decisions for you. since you are the one who will actually be attending the college, it is important for your own sanity that you have a say in the process as well. perhaps before you visit any schools, you should sit down with your parents and lay out for them the parts of the college that are important to you. for example, they may value the school’s rank while you may be more swayed by the campus community. clearing the air in this way will relieve a lot of the tension that this process causes. also, you all will be on the same page and they may be less likely to push their thoughts and feelings onto you once you are on a college campus. you can most certainly bring friends with you on the visits, and they will probably make them way more fun, but realize that the final decision is ultimately up to you.

 

Q: what about summer college classes? i heard that they count the same as AP credit classes do, 1.0 extra points. is this true, and is it the same for community college as regular college?

 

A. taking college classes in the summer will help your transcript stand out, provided that you do well in them. a good bet would be to take courses that either supplement your high school offerings (like if you’re interested in history take an in-depth course in the subject), or use the time to brush up on skills that you’re fuzzy on but you know you will need in the future (like a writing or math course). this way, you can demonstrate your specialized interest in a particular subject, or show that you are taking the necessary steps to ensure future success. and to admissions officers, these are both really good things. in terms of having the course count as an AP, this depends on the district. i have worked in the philadelphia public school district, and the policy there is that the courses are separate from the regular high school course load and do not show up on the transcript. however, the classes are free and the student earns college credits that can (usually) be used towards their regular degree requirements, depending on where the student ends up going. i would suggest that you talk to your guidance counselor (or go to your school district’s website) for the specific policy that applies to your area.