What are the advantages and disadvantages of going to a two-year college?

Question

...compared to going to a four-year, trade, or military school/college...some resources would be great, too! Thanks!

Answer 1

I have degrees from both a community college and a university, so maybe I can help.

A two-year college offers a variety of programs, from one-semester certificates to associate degrees to strictly transfer credits. Let's assume you want a degree. You will get most of the classes in your discipline that you would have gotten at a four-year school. You will not have access to a few upper level courses, but you can always continue your studies elsewhere. You will get a few other courses, sometimes called "gen eds" for general education. Computer literacy, a couple of English courses, a social science or two, maybe a lab science -- these are common gen eds. You'll walk out with a solid, if junior-level, base of knowledge in your chosen area and an associate's degree. In many fields, that's plenty to get an excellent job.

Depending on the school and the location, you may or may not get a high-quality program and/or high-quality instructors. That's true with everything, though, so always do your homework. I had an excellent community college program in accounting (I'm now a CPA) and outstanding teachers. My daughter is taking the same program at a different school. The program is awful, designed by a camel, I think, and most of the instructors are embarrassingly bad. She's doing well only because she has me to use and abuse.

A four-year college will add a few upper-level courses in your chosen area, many more gen eds, and room to take courses just for interest or curiousity. You'll leave with a bachelor's degree and a well-rounded education. Choose your major wisely, and that degree can be your ticket to a great career. In many disciplines, a bachelor's degree is the minimum education requirement to get a job in that field.

Military schools can be excellent, especially if you hate having to decide what to wear in the morning. If you can qualify for one of the military academies (talk to your senator or congressman about that), go for it.

Trade schools are perfect if you know exactly what you want to do and want to go directly for it, not wasting any time on gen eds and other side issues. And don't overlook apprenticeships. I tried to get all of my kids to apprentice as plumbers, but no luck. There are some excellent jobs in the trades, and skilled tradespeople are always in demand.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Have you thought about what you might want to do professionally? I think the benefit of staying in college longer and pursuing more credentials will open up more options when you enter the professional world. But it seems like you're stacked with so much talent that it's hard to see why you wouldn't be successful should you decide to go the other route. Personally, if finances wasn't an issue, I'd go for a Ph.D. (assuming I also got the grades for it), but that's just cause I don't want to end up being a programmer or doing something non-Physics related after getting a BS degree. I want to do something actually Physics related, although I'm not too fond of the idea of just research and professorship. I want to work in the high-tech industry... particle accelerators! On the other hand, I do want have a balanced life, cause I'd hate to think of what I might end up like if I only cared about studies and not my health. Unfortunately I don't really have much more to say, as I don't have a lot of experience in the professional world. My view of it is it's just a place where people only care about money and pleasing their bosses... not something to get too excited about, but I could be wrong. Hopefully I am.

Answer 3

I attend a community ( two year) college, while my partner goes to a four year. His main complaint? The classes are too large, therefore the classes lack a personal feel. He has had classes that were 200+ students, whereas I have never had a class with over 35 students.
You can also transfer your credits to a four year college ( well in most cases, it would depend on what your major is ) in short I believe that a two year college gives you a more subtle lead into a larger college...
Either choice you make, I hope you enjoy it...I personally love school...well college anyway...it's a whole different world from High School, which I loathed.
Good luck!

Answer 4

two-year college
pro: cheaper. classes are easier(but it also depend on the college. some colleges are hard)
con: you don't get to establish a solid foundation of social life in the 4-year college. If your major is research heavy(physics, engineering, biology, etc), you may have a disadvantage because you don't know the professors. Somestimes, the classes you thought would transfer wouldn't transfer, and you end up retaking some classes. Even if they transfer, there is also a chance that the schedule in the 2-year college don't match up with the one in 4 year college. So you end up struggling in upper division classes because you don't have the proper lower division pre-req classes.Also, I know some people look down to people from 2-year colleges. I don't, ok? I am just telling u some people are ignorant and stupid.

Answer 5

less expensive is the ONLY advantage.
go to a four-year experience going away, living in a dorm, meeting new people, go to football games, basketball, become a true part of the school--join in many activities and take advantage of the free activities that are offered.
My daughter went to Ohio State 3 years ago and loves it. It may be large, but they have an excellent way of making it feel small and comfortable. They offer so many free activities and have great programs for first year students.
They also have feeding frenzies for first year students!

Answer 6

go (away) to college - live on campus
experience college life

as someone who commuted to college from home, you miss a lot and you will regret it - you save money - but you can never go back and do it again