I need help finding a reliable source for facts on issues/positives about attenting comm college before a univ

Answer 1

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/transfer/tr_info_ccc.html

"The Community College Advantage"


=====

Now my own personal response:

I went to community college and then University and I also taught at community college for a number of years.

I loved both experiences, and I've been a successful business executive in high tech with that educational background.

At a four year college you do make connections that can last a lifetime and you will find a very different social atmosphere ... most community colleges have relatively little social glue unless you participate in some club type activities (or band, athletics, etc.) since most students are working and attending part time or have busy off-campus schedules.

At a Community College as a teacher I was blown away with the level of commitment and effort most students, who tend to be older andvery serious about getting and education to get out of low paying jobs, put forward.

Community Colleges are in business to teach students and teachers generally have no other agenda; unlike in the four year schools they aren't doing research or trying to get published or working on grant funding. That means they may not be world reknown experts in their field, but it also means that their focus is only on students and helping them to succeed.

You will probably not find classes with 120 -800 students in them meeting in a huge auditorium with half a dozen Teaching Assistants. You may well find that at a large university, especially in entry level courses (beginning psychology, physics, etc...). At some Universities the philosophy for freshmen and sophomores is sink or swim, maybe we have too many of them, anyway ... you won't find that attitude at most CC's.

When you do transfer to a four year college, you'll be a junior, you'll be in upper division classes where the class sizes are smaller and the teachers more interested.

Courses in four year universities may be a bit harder and more thorough, but in my experience if you worked hard and learned as much as you could at CC you will be well prepared for University.

Most Community Colleges will be able to tell exactly what courses you need to take to transfer and be able to graduate in four years, and will be able to assure you that the courses will be accepted in transfer.

You will find it a great experience in general. If you are planning to transfer to a highly competitive school at the end of two years then do some research to see if they actually accept CC students -- Harvard may take a few but let's be honest and say they don't generally have opening for transfer students from a CC.

But if you are talking about transfer to a typical state university or private college that is not highly competitive, you will have no problem if you've done well in your classes.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Community colleges are deliberately designed for people who do not have enough money to attend university fulltime, who have to stay near home or have to work to support themselves and need to take courses in the evening. Also, they tend to have more support for students who were not properly prepared in High School and/ or who may have been out of school for several years before starting college.

So, a community college is a great choice if you fit any of those categories. You can go to CC for two years, finish an Associate degree, and then if you want to go on to university, you can usually transfer all of your credits and start at the university as a junior with no problem.

Why dont you go over to the CC near you and see what they say. They will be happy to talk to you.

Answer 3

Any more state universities and state boards WANT you to go to com col before the U. Its all directed that way. When I attended com col was just starting and had a bad rap...the teachers are really poor and still are BUT the cost is right and the credits transfer directly.

If you are smart, can get grants etc. go to the U...if not suffer thru and get the final REAL two years at the U as per just about any States idea of higher ed.

Very intelligent question and regardless I wish you luck. Its all about money!

Answer 4

I would go to a community college website...the one I started with was Anne Arundel Community College.

They are bound to have such info on their site.
***
In my personal opinion having started there and graduated from a University:
-cost, obviously
-saving money while determining a major instead of jumping into one because they make you pick one
-typically a much closer commute
-they offer on campus activities so students are involved
-you'll meet local people and still be close to your family/old friends
-you can work an on campus job or any other job since you are saving time
-much more personalized teaching, typically no huge classes of 50+ students

Answer 5

well, one positive is that if you live in the district, it's cheaper.

Answer 6

go online