How to Get a Good Education At Community Colleges?

Answer 1

If you compare tuition rates of community colleges to universities, community colleges will win hands down. However, the education you receive at community colleges may not stack up to the education you receive from their competitors. So, how can you ensure that you get a good education while still attending community college?

• If you plan on attending a four-year university after community college, than you should call that university and inquire which community colleges they accept the majority of their students from. If there is a community college close to your house, but the university you want to attend doesn’t really accept a lot of their students, then it is worth driving a little bit further to the community college they do accept from.

• Community colleges offer honors programs just like universities do. So, inquire about those classes, and enroll in any honor class that you are qualified for. Honors classes at a community college can prepare you for what it would be like to take higher level classes at a university.

• Know your math and English materials. Many community colleges, like universities, require their new students to take math and English placement exams. If you do not score well on those exams, you will be required to take lower level courses which do not apply toward your anticipated degree. This can hold you back from transferring to a university for up to a year in some cases.

• Get ready to hit the books. Just because you are in community college does not mean you can slack off. Universities look at your community college grades, just as they did your high school grades, when deciding if you meet their requirements. Consequently, universities look more positively on those transfer students who earned good grades in their freshman and sophomore years at community colleges.

So, while community colleges may not stack up to a university in every way possible, there are some great opportunities that are available to students who attend community colleges. Take advantage of them and you will be successful when it comes time to transfer to a university.