Transfer or undergrad?

Question

Is it better to attend a community college for one year before attending a university in order to save money, or is it best to just apply first-year to the university? Does it look bad to transfer out of a community college?

Answer 1

No, it certainly does not look bad.  I am a teacher at the high school level.   In addition, colleges are more likely to accept a student from a comm. college than from a high school as you have proven that you have the ability to do college level work.  Additionally, many state schools (i.e. University of Maryland) have to accept graduates of local community colleges without having to meet the very hihg GPA req. you would need as a high school senior going directly to a 4-year college.  In the end, you save $, and get a degree from a high-ranked 4-year college.  Good luck and follow your dreams!

Answer 2

If you are going to go to a CC it is better to go the whole two years and get an Associate Degree. That way all of your CC credits will transfer to most all 4 year colleges. No it doesn't look bad. Colleges loose some freshman and sophomores students, so by junior years they do have openings for transfer students.

If you don't go the whole two years to a CC, the 4 year colleges will require your high school transcripts as well as the first year of CC.

One reason to go to a 4 year college first is if you think you can get some academic sholarships to attend.

After reading below- you don't have to have all A's and B's to be able to transfer out of a CC. If you earn your Associate Degree this is the easiest way to transfer.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the community college and the University you want to get into. Usually you can only transfer after two years at a Community College to a Uni and your GPA have to be outstanding (mostly A's, couple B's...this shouldn't be hard since it's a community college). Also, being involved and a good ACT score helps a ton when transferring to Uni. It doesn't look bad to transfer out of a community college, lots of people choose that route. It's really up to you which one you choose. Are you ready for Uni or do you want to live at home for a while then go to Uni? Going to a community college isn't good or bad, it's pretty much what you make of it.

Answer 4

Its probably best to ask around -- if the school you want to attend readily accepts transfers from the community college you want to attend, you could save a boatload of money -- once you graduate it only shows the school you graduated from (diploma) -- of course your transcript will show your course work, but it doesn't really matter if you graduate.  Some of my friends did this and they saved a lot -- but if you s***w up at the CC and can't transfer it will be harder.