should i go directly to a university or should i first go to a community college then transfer to a university

Answer 1

I will make this short and sweet...


Go directly to a university. Schools will look at the students who have been at their school FIRST and are naturally more loyal to their own students when considering students who are applying to nursing school, engineering school, business school, etc. After they consider their own students, THEN they will look at TRANSFER students. I think you would rather be one of the first people considered into their school.

Answer 2

"Most people" do not go to a community college first. At most four-year schools, the majority of students are there for four years. However, in answer to your question, I would say that this very much depends on what you want to do. The more ambitious your plans, the more important it would be for you to get a start at a four-year college if at all possible.

Why? Because if you are trying for a prestigious graduate or professional school, you are at somewhat of a disadvantage if you transferred. For example, when awards are given out, preference often goes to those who have spent four years putting in an excellent performance rather than just two. Because it takes a while to become integrated into a university, you are unlikely to get the kind of leadership experience that a four-year student would get. Any elected position is more likely to go to someone whom others have had years to get to know, rather than to newcomers. When it comes to nominating students for opportunities, the faculty are less likely to be familiar with the transfer student, so they may miss out.

Sure, if all you want is a standard degree and an acceptable job, transferring is a cost-effective choice, but know that there are major drawbacks to this approach.

Answer 3

It depends why you would be going to community college in the first place. If you have a specific university you want to go to but aren't sure you have the grades, community college may be a way to improve your grades to increase your chances of getting into the school of your choice. If you do that, you want to ensure that your credits will transfer.
If money is the main factor, community college may be a way to save up some money to be able to afford the school of your choice. Consider though that if none of the credits transfer, your education could end up costing you more as you may have to stay at the university longer to obtain your degree. If money is a factor and the university you want to go to is close enough to home to commute, you could consider taking a lighter courseload to work part-time or possibly full-time and take courses over the summer to make up for the credits you didn't take during the year.
In my opinion if money and/or grades are not a factor, I would go straight to the university that way you don't have to worry about transferring unless you don't like the school you choose.

Answer 4

A community college degree doesn't necessarily mean that you can get into any university you wish, it depends upon your grades. If you're grades are good and they are transferable courses, this would help you get into a lot of universities. An education or a degree isn't measured by time, but by the achievement its self. Now is the time to take inventory of your knowledge, skills and abilities along with your interest and passions to help form a plan of what you wish to become and take the steps to lead to that result. Whether it takes 4 years or 10, you will have achieved a college degree in an area that suits your interest and passion and this is what is of the utmost importance in leading a life full doing what you were made to do.

Answer 5

I'm repeating my answer from your first question:

Most people go to a jc or cc first to fulfill their general education while saving money doing so. If your parent have no problems with you going to a university first, I'd say just go directly to one. You can always travel during college, in fact they encourage it. Most universities offer study abroad programs that can last for the summer, a semester, even a year, all while working on your degree. If you wish to travel, I say don't put off school for a year. The majority of people who don't go to school directly usually don't make it back at all, because of procrastination, financial obligations, etc. If I were you, I'd make both you and your parents happy and just go to the university. However, if you or your parents afford the university right away, just go to a jc or cc and get your GE done.

Answer 6

Well, honestly, it could go either way. It's cheaper to get your general education courses out of the way at a C.C., but it's nice to just dive right in to a university.

If you're willing, you could do what I did---
I took my general education classes over the summer in my hometown and went to a university during normal semesters. I didn't take all gen ed's over the summer, just the ones I didn't like and wanted to get them over with quickly. It didn't interfere with the summer break much so it didn't bother me.

Secondly, not all C.C. credits will transfer, because not all classes are standard. Chemistry 2 at a C.C. could equal Chemistry 1 at a university. For that reason is why I took them over the summer--I could research which ones transferred and not have to waste time in an unneeded class.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Check and make sure that the university or college you would like to attend accepts transfer students. There are a lot of schools like princeton which don't accept transfers.

Answer 8

First answerer has a good idea, but University is tough, so use the year or so at j.c. to prep and acclimate. You'll thank yourself later. Good luck!

Answer 9

if money is not a factor for you, then go to university right away, get a feel of it and get used to is

if money is a factor, then communit college, it's cheaper
and will also give you time to get part time jobs to gain experiencse and more money and it's less stressful than regular univeristy