Why is it bad to go to a community college instead of a 4-year univeristy after you graduate from high school?

Question

i'm in high school right now and doing this college credit program at the same time. So I will be earning my associates degree and high diploma at the same time. I know this girl who went to the community college for 2 years and then transfered to a four-year university and they accepted all her college credits. Is there anything wrong with going to a community college? Why do so many people look down on it?

Answer 1

Who says it 's bad to go to a community college? Many high school graduates do exactly that for a variety of reasons. Colleges and universities are extremely expensive and competitive.
Maybe you were an average student in high school. Community college would give you a relatively inexpensive way to prove to a future university that you really are a serious and capable student.
If you're uncertain about what your eventual major course of study will be, community college would let you try out several possibilities without bankrupting you.
Community colleges may also be more flexible if you have to combine studying with a full time job.
Don't let anyone "diss" community college. People who look down on any form of education are pretty uneducated (regardless of their background)!

Answer 2

They look down on it because of the mistaken assumption that people that go to a 2yr school aren't smart enough to go to a "real" college. Today that can't be farther from the truth! Assuming that you attend a fully accredited school and your courses fulfill the transfer curriculum goals (the type and number of courses in each dicipline) to earn your AA or AS, there shouldn't be any problems in transferring. Do make sure that you talk to an advisor--not a rep!--from any school you want to go to.

As a plus, you will have earned the first 2 years at a greatly reduced rate. While others will have immense debt, you will not. Kudos to you for taking the plunge.

For those who are saying it is easy, I have not found that to be true. Many of the couses I am taking are identical to the ones my friends and coworkers are taking at the U and St Thomas. In three of my courses this term, even the books are the same! The difference is that I am paying $600 for my honors level English course and a good friend paid more than $1300!

Answer 3

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Going to a community college for your first 2 years is a great way to save money and still get a good education. Just make sure all of your credits will transfer to the 4 year college you plan to attend.

Answer 4

Did the people who told you it's bad to go to community college first happen to be people who went to a 4 yr college first?? It is a great idea to start out at a community college first, especially if you want a little more time to mature before you leave home, you want to save money, have more time to figure out what you want to major in before you head to a 4 yr school. Don't let anyone tell you that community college is inferior, you will probably get a better, more personal education there than at a big 4 yr university.

It depends on your state, but in California, you can actually choose as your major as transfer certification. You take a prescribed set of courses that will guarantee you have what you need to transfer to CA state universities. Be sure to see a counselor to see what options are available where you live.

Answer 5

It's not bad to go to community college. Actually, it's better in one very important way: You're getting the same classes and paying less money. People who bad-mouth community college are elitist snobs who think community college is for lower-class people who aren't good enough for the university. It's crap. When you get done your diploma still has the name of the university on it.

The only thing you have to be careful about is you need to talk to a counselor and MAKE SURE the classes you take at community college will transfer to the 4-year university you intend to move up to next. DO NOT sign up for any classes unless you're SURE they'll transfer and also MAKE SURE that you get all the classes offered by the community college that you need for your major. Why waste the extra money taking them at the university?

Answer 6

Who the heck said it's bad?
people look down on community colleges for lots of reasons. Some are just snobs, some are just stupid and some community colleges suck. But the truth is that most of them are pretty dang good. I wish I would have done that. I ended up wasting a lot of money and time going to the wrong schools. I took some classes at community colleges during times I was taking time off from the univ, and they were very good classes. I also took some classes at univ of Washington in Seattle and they sucked. The classes were taught by TAs who have no clue about teaching.

Answer 7

I went to a community college and I am graduating a four year in 2 months.. It is cheaper and smarter in my opinion, especially if you are unsure of what you want your major to be. Some people who go to community college never seem to leave, perhaps that's why some people look down on it, but that is a reflection on that person not the school. Don't let other people's opinions effect what you want to do.

JOBS do not care if you go to a 2 year before.. it makes no difference on your resume-- trust me.. I already have job offers and I went to a CC.. it really is about the connections you make and who you know.

Answer 8

First of all, it is NOT bad to go to a community college first. That being said you need to ask yourself this question-
how many courses have I taken that count for college credit? You may have taken enough that you may HAVE to go to university because you've already gotten all the credits they will allow to transfer. Talk with your school counselor about it.

I went to Jr college first then university. For me, it was a good transition as going to university would have been too much of
a shock from the small school that I graduated from.

Answer 9

Community colleges just aren't as highly regarded as traditional, four-year schools. While it often doesn't make a difference, it's better to have the name of a tradtional school on your resume as opposed to a community college. (for some people, it's just a snob thing)

Many people do CC for 2 years then transfer so they get 2 years cheap and easy AND a diploma from a tradtional school.

Answer 10

It's just one of those things that people find bad. There is nothing wrong with it if the 4 year college accepts all the credits. You actually get to make more friends and also learn different techniques in each college. I did it myself and don't regret it.