5 answers
Carly
Student
Panama City, Florida
3
Questions
Asked
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should I go to college in my city first then transfer to a uni?
I graduted early and a lot of people have been telling me I should go to my community college which just got promoted to a state college for a year before I go to uni. I have no idea what to do and could really use some advice.
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5 answers
Tammy Prosser
Educator
44
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
If you have already graduated early and have not already received acceptances at University and do not want to take a gap year, then it sounds like attending community college for a year might be a wise choice for you. This will give you a year to take some prerequisite classes and really explore what you want to do and where you want to go next. However, keep in mind going to community college for only one year will not give you an associates degree which means that you will have to transfer your individual classes into university which may or may not, meet requirements towards your degree. This also means that when you are applying for university, you will apply as a transfer student and you will need to do that this fall in order to transfer next fall. You should begin your research for university applications now so you are prepared.
Financial concern is often cited as a reason to go to community college. It is not always true that you save money going to community college as opposed to university. Most universities have larger budgets and bigger financial aid plans that they can offer to students. The sticker price of a community college may appear to be cheaper but at the end of the day, that’s not always the case. There is also a difference in the cost of college and the available financial aid of college, depending on whether or not it is a private or public college. Beyond finances, there are so many other things to consider about University and the next four-seven years of your life.
From a personal standpoint, I also listened to others advice to start my career at community college and in doing so I missed out on the full college experience. I know that community colleges have come a long way and offer many robust in advanced programs and opportunities these days, but that was not my experience as it felt very much like a repeat of the last two years of high school in content, in the maturity level of peers and even the structure of the campus. So some of the decision may also depend on what you intend to major in and the career trajectory you have. When I did transfer, all of my credits transferred over but some of them did not count for the same things they had counted for at community college which meant I had to take an additional class or two that I had not planned. I also found that the cost of college was almost the same and by going to community college, I had not saved that much money, but the opportunities to build friendships and establish myself within the university community were lost because I was transferring in as a junior. By that point people had already established their friend groups and students in my majors classes already knew one another. I also had to learn to navigate the campus and access all of the resources available to me as a brand new person on campus, which essentially made me feel like a freshman as I was just starting out there, but I was technically an upperclassman. I wish I had just started out university right away.
Ultimately, you have to think about what’s right for you and what you want out of your overall college experience. Everyone around you will have an opinion about what is best for you to do, but you are an adult now and these life choices are yours to make. Try to think long-term about which experience will offer you the best opportunity for the career that you’re working towards. Think about what other experiences you want out of these next couple of years. Do you plan to live on campus or off campus? Does going to community college offer you an opportunity to live at home and save on bills? Or will you get an apartment? Are there groups or organizations you want to be engaged in at University? Think about the reasons why you chose to graduate early. Were you hoping to jumpstart your college life by doing so? Or did you finish early due to circumstances that may repeat themselves in college? Some of the answers may help you determine what type of college environment you want to go to.
Good luck! There is no right or wrong answer here… Take your time to really think about what you want and then take the active steps to move in that direction. Sometimes that means turning off the other voices in your head too.
Financial concern is often cited as a reason to go to community college. It is not always true that you save money going to community college as opposed to university. Most universities have larger budgets and bigger financial aid plans that they can offer to students. The sticker price of a community college may appear to be cheaper but at the end of the day, that’s not always the case. There is also a difference in the cost of college and the available financial aid of college, depending on whether or not it is a private or public college. Beyond finances, there are so many other things to consider about University and the next four-seven years of your life.
From a personal standpoint, I also listened to others advice to start my career at community college and in doing so I missed out on the full college experience. I know that community colleges have come a long way and offer many robust in advanced programs and opportunities these days, but that was not my experience as it felt very much like a repeat of the last two years of high school in content, in the maturity level of peers and even the structure of the campus. So some of the decision may also depend on what you intend to major in and the career trajectory you have. When I did transfer, all of my credits transferred over but some of them did not count for the same things they had counted for at community college which meant I had to take an additional class or two that I had not planned. I also found that the cost of college was almost the same and by going to community college, I had not saved that much money, but the opportunities to build friendships and establish myself within the university community were lost because I was transferring in as a junior. By that point people had already established their friend groups and students in my majors classes already knew one another. I also had to learn to navigate the campus and access all of the resources available to me as a brand new person on campus, which essentially made me feel like a freshman as I was just starting out there, but I was technically an upperclassman. I wish I had just started out university right away.
Ultimately, you have to think about what’s right for you and what you want out of your overall college experience. Everyone around you will have an opinion about what is best for you to do, but you are an adult now and these life choices are yours to make. Try to think long-term about which experience will offer you the best opportunity for the career that you’re working towards. Think about what other experiences you want out of these next couple of years. Do you plan to live on campus or off campus? Does going to community college offer you an opportunity to live at home and save on bills? Or will you get an apartment? Are there groups or organizations you want to be engaged in at University? Think about the reasons why you chose to graduate early. Were you hoping to jumpstart your college life by doing so? Or did you finish early due to circumstances that may repeat themselves in college? Some of the answers may help you determine what type of college environment you want to go to.
Good luck! There is no right or wrong answer here… Take your time to really think about what you want and then take the active steps to move in that direction. Sometimes that means turning off the other voices in your head too.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Carly
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
607
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
One of the ways to look at this is from a financial standpoint. If you do go to a junior college and then transfer, the Bachelors degree will be exactly the same, so nobody will really know you did a JC unless you tell them. This tends to be a cheaper option. If you can avoid taking on massive amounts of loans, avoid them.
If money isn't a factor, I think going directly to Uni could make sense. You will have breaks where you can always come back and visit.
Do what feels right, life is short and you contentment matters :)
If money isn't a factor, I think going directly to Uni could make sense. You will have breaks where you can always come back and visit.
Do what feels right, life is short and you contentment matters :)
Loved reading this, thanks!
Carly
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6180
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Carly,
Given your current circumstances, it's a practical and popular choice to kick-start your college journey at a community college before moving on to a university. This strategy, also known as "reverse transfer," can bring numerous advantages.
First and foremost, community colleges are generally more affordable than universities. By beginning your education at a community college, you can cut costs while earning credits for your degree. The money you save can be substantial and could help lower the overall price tag of your higher education.
Secondly, community colleges usually offer smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from instructors. This environment can enhance your learning experience and solidify your understanding of various subjects. Plus, community colleges often have flexible timetables and part-time options that can fit around your work or family responsibilities.
Thirdly, many students find that starting at a community college gives them a chance to delve into their interests and career aspirations more effectively before diving into a four-year university program. Community colleges often have robust transfer agreements with universities, which can make the switch smoother and more streamlined. Moreover, some students uncover new passions or career trajectories during their time at a community college that they might not have otherwise discovered.
Lastly, starting at a community college can present an opportunity to show academic progress or hit specific academic targets before applying to competitive universities. For example, if you graduate early from high school but find the first semester of college challenging, starting at a community college could offer you a chance to get back on track academically before transferring to a university.
To sum up, launching your college education at a community college before transferring to a university is a great option for several reasons: it's cost-effective, offers personalized learning, allows exploration of interests and career goals, and provides a chance for academic improvement. However, it's crucial to investigate specific programs and transfer agreements between the community college and universities you're considering. Seeking advice from academic advisors at both institutions can also aid in ensuring a seamless transition.
References Used:
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) - “Transfer Agreements”
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) - “Community Colleges”
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center - “Transfer Out Rates”
May God bless you!
JC.
Given your current circumstances, it's a practical and popular choice to kick-start your college journey at a community college before moving on to a university. This strategy, also known as "reverse transfer," can bring numerous advantages.
First and foremost, community colleges are generally more affordable than universities. By beginning your education at a community college, you can cut costs while earning credits for your degree. The money you save can be substantial and could help lower the overall price tag of your higher education.
Secondly, community colleges usually offer smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from instructors. This environment can enhance your learning experience and solidify your understanding of various subjects. Plus, community colleges often have flexible timetables and part-time options that can fit around your work or family responsibilities.
Thirdly, many students find that starting at a community college gives them a chance to delve into their interests and career aspirations more effectively before diving into a four-year university program. Community colleges often have robust transfer agreements with universities, which can make the switch smoother and more streamlined. Moreover, some students uncover new passions or career trajectories during their time at a community college that they might not have otherwise discovered.
Lastly, starting at a community college can present an opportunity to show academic progress or hit specific academic targets before applying to competitive universities. For example, if you graduate early from high school but find the first semester of college challenging, starting at a community college could offer you a chance to get back on track academically before transferring to a university.
To sum up, launching your college education at a community college before transferring to a university is a great option for several reasons: it's cost-effective, offers personalized learning, allows exploration of interests and career goals, and provides a chance for academic improvement. However, it's crucial to investigate specific programs and transfer agreements between the community college and universities you're considering. Seeking advice from academic advisors at both institutions can also aid in ensuring a seamless transition.
References Used:
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) - “Transfer Agreements”
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) - “Community Colleges”
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center - “Transfer Out Rates”
May God bless you!
JC.
James Constantine, thank you!
Carly
NANCY W CAMPBELL
Adjunct Faculty | Education Consultant | College and Career Success Specialist | Education Equity Advocate
18
Answers
Jenkintown, PA
Updated
NANCY W’s Answer
I also give kudos to James for his presentation of various positive aspects of starting your higher education journey at a community college. I will add these for your consideration:
Starting out at a community college tends to be an easier transition into the expectations and responsibilities at the college level. At the post-secondary level, the onus shifts more directly to you in terms of taking responsibility for how your education moves forward. You do not have a collective group of teachers and counselors advising as you may have in high school and you do not have parents and counselors "looking over your shoulder", so to speak, to make sure all your "i"s are dotted and "t"s are crossed. Understanding this change can help you prepare your mind for what you need to do to stay on top of your work and how to manage yourself "in time". (I said it that way because, contrary to popular terminology, you cannot actually "manage" time; it keeps going regardless. But what you can do is manage yourself IN time; that is, manage how you determine what you do and how much time it will take to do it.)
I would also add that, academically, what is covered in the first to years of post-secondary education in very similar whether you attend a community college or a 4-year institution. Typically, you do not have to declare your major until your sophomore year; even if you know the career path you want to take, those first two years are very much the same wherever you go. And the difference in cost per semester hour can take a lot of stress off your brain!
Starting out at a community college tends to be an easier transition into the expectations and responsibilities at the college level. At the post-secondary level, the onus shifts more directly to you in terms of taking responsibility for how your education moves forward. You do not have a collective group of teachers and counselors advising as you may have in high school and you do not have parents and counselors "looking over your shoulder", so to speak, to make sure all your "i"s are dotted and "t"s are crossed. Understanding this change can help you prepare your mind for what you need to do to stay on top of your work and how to manage yourself "in time". (I said it that way because, contrary to popular terminology, you cannot actually "manage" time; it keeps going regardless. But what you can do is manage yourself IN time; that is, manage how you determine what you do and how much time it will take to do it.)
I would also add that, academically, what is covered in the first to years of post-secondary education in very similar whether you attend a community college or a 4-year institution. Typically, you do not have to declare your major until your sophomore year; even if you know the career path you want to take, those first two years are very much the same wherever you go. And the difference in cost per semester hour can take a lot of stress off your brain!
Your advice was so helpful!
Carly
Olivia Fredrick
Veterinary assistant
8
Answers
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Updated
Olivia’s Answer
Hi Carly,
James did a great job above describing all the different options. I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I ultimately attended a community college for 2 years and then transferred to a university for the last 2 years. I completed my pre-requisites and obtained my associates degree. When I transferred, having an associates degree allowed me to "skip" many pre-req classes at uni allowing me to go straight into my degree specific courses which was nice.
There's definitely pros and cons to going to a community college:
Pros: save money, live at home, small class size so close relationship with professors, complete associate's degree, time to discover more of your interests and career path
Cons: miss out on bigger opportunities at uni, may not be able to graduate early, less flexibility
Ultimately, choose what fits your needs and completing your dreams best.
I hope this helps!
James did a great job above describing all the different options. I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I ultimately attended a community college for 2 years and then transferred to a university for the last 2 years. I completed my pre-requisites and obtained my associates degree. When I transferred, having an associates degree allowed me to "skip" many pre-req classes at uni allowing me to go straight into my degree specific courses which was nice.
There's definitely pros and cons to going to a community college:
Pros: save money, live at home, small class size so close relationship with professors, complete associate's degree, time to discover more of your interests and career path
Cons: miss out on bigger opportunities at uni, may not be able to graduate early, less flexibility
Ultimately, choose what fits your needs and completing your dreams best.
I hope this helps!
Thank you so much for the advice.
Carly