US Community Colleges
Community colleges really get a bad wrap. Everyone acts as if going to a community college is the worst fate possible. As though enrolling at a two-year institution is somehow a failure. However, this is simply not true! Community college is an excellent college choice and should be given serious consideration. The benefits are numerous and you can still pursue any career you wish.
The Benefits of Community Colleges
Before you write off community colleges altogether as an option, you should seriously consider the numerous benefits they can offer you.
Low Cost
Community colleges are your cheapest educational option. You pay for every unit you take rather than a full-time or part-time tuition. These fees are typically very low, where you’ll only be paying a couple hundred dollars a semester for a full-time schedule. This is the perfect way to save money and still get a quality education.
No SAT
If you do plan on transferring to a four-year institution following the completion of your general education, you can do so without having taken the SAT. Even though standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are counting less and less on college applications, they are still a prominent aspect of admission. So, if you go to a community college for two years and then transfer out to a school that offers bachelor’s degrees, there’s no SAT required.
Get a Job Faster
If you want to pursue a technical career or become a nurse or something similar, a community college might be the perfect thing for you. This is because it only takes two years to get a certificate or associate’s degree from a community college and you can be out and about in the world much faster. This can be the perfect option for people that already have families that want to pursue a better career.
Fully Transferable
If you want to get a bachelor’s degree, you can start your college career off at a community college. In fact, you can complete the first two year’s of your education at a community college and then transfer over to a four-year college. Later on, when you graduate from a four-year institution, your degree will show that you graduated from the four-year, not the two-year. So, if you need to save some money and still want a four-year degree, community college is definitely a good choice.
High Quality Education
Community colleges are often portrayed as providing less than quality education. However, this is simply not the case. Anything that you can learn in the first two years at a four-year institution is also taught at a two-year institution. The quality of education is the same and sometimes even better, as the professors that teach at community colleges genuinely feel they are doing something great for the community. Don’t fall for the lie that community college is “easy” or anything of that nature.
How Can I Apply to Community College?
Well, first of all you will need to decide where you would like to go. Your high school grades do not matter, so don’t worry if you didn’t perform so well. Fill out the application for the school you have chosen. Once you receive an acceptance letter, you can then schedule your first semester of classes, at which time tuition will be do. Pay your dues and then you can begin down your chosen educational and career path.
Community college is a viable choice for school and don’t let anyone make you think otherwise. You can save money, get a quality education and pursue any educational path you desire.