IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

Question

IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

Answer 1

From what I've seen from friends that went to community college is that they still act as though they are in high school and don't leave that group of friends from high school behind (not that there's anything wrong with high school friends). With a University you can move into the dorms for a year and get to know people better that way, but really there's nothing bad about a community college as long as you plan on going to a four year school after you've gotten your associates degree.  

Answer 2

no. it doesn't have the same recognition as a university, and most community colleges only offer associates degrees.  

Answer 3

absolutly not!!!!

im starting at one on Monday...

it saves a c**p load of money!!!!!

im going to be a nurse......

but no nothing is wrong with a community college

Answer 4

Depends... I used to teach at a Community College and I would say there are +'s and -'s.  Teachers are not always too busy with research to actually do a good job teaching and classes are generally smaller.

One of the negative side, I found that there was little consistency in the teachers hired...there were some very good ones, but some very bad ones as well.  They don't pay very well and there generally are a lot of part-time teachers.

Answer 5

No, as a matter of fact you can transfer credits to a four year college upon graduation from the Community College. A great idea and plus you can save money by doing this.

Answer 6

Wrong is not a good way to phrase this, because it assumes that some other option is "right."  When deciding the lives of thousands of people, there's no way one choice can be right or wrong for everyone.

Community colleges are very useful for certain things.  If you can't leave your area, but want more schooling, they're good.  If money is short, and aspirations are high, community colleges are good.  If you don't have time for a full time student commitment.  If you want to go to a better college than you think you're ready for, or don't know what you want to do with your education, community colleges are wonderful.

However, it's a cheap public institution, and you need to be careful.  You might get a bargain, or you might get what you paid for.  The staff is oveworked, underpaid, and not necesarilly the best quality.  It's easy to wind up being one of those bald dudes or single mothers that are just "taking classes" there for a decade or so.

1: Research your instructors. Find ones with degrees from the same school.  Their degree will only be respected if yours is, so they will make sure you learn.  They also kind of know what you're going through.  Department heads are great, because their credibility as an instructor is at stake, but they might be really busy outside of class.  If you can talk to them, they may really know which teachers are good.  Be wary of part time and associate teachers.  You'll never be able to see them in their office, because they don't have one.  Often their school email or phone is useless too, because they're not at that school.  Some are great teachers anyway, but a lot are just there to get a few extra bucks.  After all, it's not their school... and maybe it's not their school because they aren't good enough to even have any school of their own.

2: Sign up for more classes than you plan to take.  You will run into teachers who suck.  With a few extra, you can afford to drop them.  Plus, some day you may need to really cram in the units.  Do it at community college where it's only 20 bucks a unit.  A lot of the classes cram the hard stuff in before the drop date anyway, so you might get a refund.  Private colleges may not be so nice.  Then you'll have a better idea how you can handle crazy loads, and how many units you can safely take and pass in a semester.

3: Take the first week to totally rearrainge your schedule.  Getting into the classes you want is tough, and there are a lot of catalog descriptions that don't do justice to the class.  Go there, and try to add the ones that strike you.  Look first hand for where the quality is.  Look into a few wacky classes  It'll only waste an hour of your life to be there the first day.  Trying to add later will require crazy catch-up work.  College is all about broadening your horizons, finding where your academic skills lie, etc.  You can also boost your GPA, hone your teacher-selection process, etc.

4: IGETC.  The intersegmental general education transfer certificate... accepted by all UC colleges, CSU colleges, and a few private institutions.  That'll probably let you get out of lower division classes when you transfer... which can cut two years, and a fortune off of your future education.  If you don't really know what you want to do with school, at least that will get the basics out of the way, and eliminate, or latch onto a few common majors.  GET THE IGETC!  Once you transfer somewhere else, you can't get it, ever.  Even if you just want an AA, you'll need most of these classes anyway.

5: AA, AS:  Associates degrees.  They're sort of half a bachelor's degree.  Unless you know what kind of bachelor's degree you want though, I wouldn't worry too much about it.  With the IGETC, and a few electives, you can probably make some sort of associate's degree fit your circumstances anyway.  If not, you can always take one or two classes later and get one.

6: CERTIFICATES:  If you just want some sort of basic job, one of these can get your foot in the door with a lot of different places.

7: Transferrable credits:  You'll want mostly these kinds of classes.  They'll be more useful if you're going somewhere else.  However, you should also learn how many you need.  Some schools have a maximum, and if you're broadening your horizons for too long, you can get right up there before you realize it.

Community colleges of course have downsides compared to other schools as well.  They're less well known, and therefore not as respected.  Don't think an AA from Hicktown community college will get you as much money, or as good a job as the same AA from Harvard.  There are no dorms, so you'll have to commute, making certain classes harder to get to.  There may be no cafeteria, so you might need to buy meals each day, or pack food.  

Also, the students and teachers are often a bit less approachable.  If you're looking into a field where networking is important, the extra money for doing all four years at a CSU, UC, or private school might really pay off.

Answer 7

No-it saves you money-probably time and distance too. I went and got my general ed done along with a 2 year degree and then went on to graduate from a four year with my BFA.

Just make sure your classes transfer-it should state that in the catalogs.

Answer 8

No.

It all depends on why you're going and what you want to do.

If you plan on becoming a doctor or a lawyer, community college is not enough.

If you plan on being a supermarket bagger, you don't need college at all.

Community college can be a good way to get a start.  You can always transfer to a 4-year school.

Answer 9

No, there is not. However, considering the way our society works, you will have an easier time if you are associated with prestigious institutions. Think of a good education as an investment, so don't be skimpy, if possible. If you think you can get a good education from a community college, go for it; otherwise, look elsewhere.

Answer 10

Absolutely not. I know many people who earn excellent money and thoroughly enjoy their work after completing a diploma at a community college. Good luck.

Answer 11

God no! A CC is a great opportunity for tons of reasons:

1. It's cheap and makes state schools look expensive.

2. If planning to go to a 4 year school, you can get all of your core classes (Eng 1, Psych, ect.) for a fraction of the price

3. If you weren't a great HS student, this is a way to redeem yourself if you want to transfer to a 4 year school

4. Credits almost transfer anywhere. For example, if you took a Bio class at a CC, you could transfer them to Harvard if you want.

5. It is great for courses needed as prequesites at graduate school.

I knew someone who took all of her science courses needed for nursing school at a CC and then got into Columbia Nursing school. Contrary to belief, a course at a CC in no way shows "laziness" or "lack of intelligence". It shows that you want to learn. Though it doesn't really offer a campus life, it is a great way to get a great education at a really low price.