| In fall 1993, nearly 6 million students were | | | | community colleges have certificate options |
| enrolled in one of the nation's 1,440 2-year | | | | for students who want to take courses in a |
| colleges. This enrollment figure is an | | | | specialized area of study but who don't want |
| increase of approximately 600,000 students | | | | to spend the time necessary to earn the |
| over the 1991 enrollment, and community | | | | 2-year A.S. or A.A.S. degree. |
| college enrollments are expected to continue | | | | |
| to increase. Why are more and more students | | | | You can earn an associate of science degree |
| choosing community colleges? What are the | | | | in a specialized occupational or technical |
| advantages of attending community colleges? | | | | area of study with the intention of |
| What should students consider when deciding | | | | transferring to a 4-year university and |
| whether to attend a community college? | | | | pursuing further study in your specialized |
| | | | field rather than going directly to work. |
| Advantages of Attending Community Colleges | | | | Two-year and 4-year colleges often have |
| Students attend community colleges for | | | | arrangements so their programs are |
| various reasons. Some choose community | | | | complementary and build upon each other. |
| colleges because tuition and fees are lower | | | | Check with the guidance and counseling |
| than at 4-year colleges and universities. The | | | | department at your local community college to |
| estimated average cost of tuition and fees at | | | | learn about arrangements like this in your |
| public 2-year colleges nationwide for the | | | | specialized field of study. |
| 1993-1994 school year was $1,099 compared to | | | | |
| an estimated average of $2,365 at 4-year | | | | Three: Gaining Job Skills and Personal |
| colleges. | | | | Fulfillment |
| | | | |
| Students are likely to mention the following | | | | You don't have to enroll in a specific |
| advantages of attending community colleges: | | | | program at your local community college. You |
| | | | have the option of simply taking courses in |
| I like the extra attention I get from the | | | | subjects that interest you. Check with your |
| instructors at my community college. They are | | | | local community college for a list of credit |
| readily available to students and seem to | | | | and noncredit courses to see what is offered. |
| care that we do well. | | | | |
| | | | |
| I need to be able to work to support my | | | | Four: Preparing for College-Level Academics |
| family. I take classes at the community | | | | |
| college in the morning and go to work from | | | | For students who want to pursue college |
| there. | | | | course work but who lack the basic reading, |
| | | | writing, mathematics, or science skills |
| The money I'm saving by living at home and | | | | necessary to take the courses, the community |
| going to my local community college will help | | | | college offers developmental education |
| pay for my junior and senior years at the | | | | classes as well as learning resource centers |
| state university. | | | | that can provide special one-on-one tutoring. |
| | | | The learning resource centers have specially |
| My community college is helping me get the | | | | trained staff and can provide assistance on |
| skills I need to qualify for enrollment in | | | | both an individual and small-group basis. |
| the nursing program. In addition to the basic | | | | Contact either your counseling office or the |
| skills courses I'm taking in English and | | | | learning resources center at your college to |
| science, I also receive special one-on-one | | | | find out what special services are available |
| attention at the Learning Resource Center. | | | | to help you attain your education goals. |
| | | | |
| I wasn't sure what program I wanted to | | | | Steps To Take in Choosing a Community College |
| pursue. A counselor at my community college | | | | |
| helped me assess my abilities, interests, and | | | | So, how do you choose a community college? |
| educational options. With my counselor, I've | | | | Who will give you the information you need to |
| put together a program in computer graphics | | | | make a solid choice? The following steps |
| I'm really happy with. | | | | should send you well on your way: |
| | | | |
| Common Paths of the Community College Student | | | | Request a catalog from your local community |
| | | | colleges describing the courses and programs |
| One: Preparing for Transfer to the University | | | | they offer. Also ask for a "schedule of |
| | | | courses" for the current term. |
| For many students, the community college | | | | |
| experience is the first of several steps in | | | | Once you've reviewed the course schedule and |
| their education after high school. If you | | | | catalog, schedule an appointment with a |
| think you might want to continue your | | | | college counselor. Ask the counselor how to |
| education at a 4-year college or university, | | | | go about finding the right program for you. |
| you need to plan ahead. You don't want to | | | | What type of career guidance can he or she |
| repeat courses at a 4-year college if you | | | | provide? |
| have already taken them at your community | | | | |
| college. Many community colleges have | | | | Once you identify a program that interests |
| articulation agreements with 4-year colleges | | | | you, ask the counselor if the college offers |
| and universities to accept courses for | | | | that program. If not, are there any colleges |
| transfer credit. Transfer credit means the | | | | nearby that offer it? Remember, not all |
| courses you took at the community college are | | | | colleges offer the same programs. Also, if |
| recognized as equivalent to the same courses | | | | you need to work while you are attending |
| offered by the 4-year college you want to | | | | school, check to see what time of day the |
| attend. Under articulation agreements, you | | | | courses you need are offered. Is it possible |
| receive full credit for your community | | | | to arrange your work schedule to fit your |
| college course work. However, not all courses | | | | class schedule? How long will it take you to |
| offered at your local community college may | | | | complete the courses you need, given |
| be transferable to every 4-year college or | | | | projected class schedules over the next few |
| university. Contact your community college | | | | semesters or years? |
| guidance and counseling office to find out | | | | |
| which 4-year colleges and universities will | | | | Find out how much it costs to complete the |
| accept your community college course work for | | | | program that interests you. Ask the college |
| transfer credit. | | | | counselor if any financial aid is available |
| | | | to you that might help defray the costs of |
| Two: Preparing for the World of Work | | | | attending college. Don't forget to ask about |
| | | | any special financial aid that might be |
| If you are interested in finding employment | | | | available to help with child care, |
| after you finish your courses at the | | | | transportation, or other costs you may incur |
| community college, you have the following | | | | in pursuing your education. Also, check to |
| options: | | | | see if the college has work-study programs or |
| | | | actually provides child care or special |
| You can earn the community college associate | | | | transportation to campus. |
| in science (A.S.) degree or associate in | | | | |
| applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which | | | | Once you have decided on the courses you wish |
| usually requires specialized courses (in | | | | to take, you are ready to enroll. Ask the |
| fields such as business, health occupations, | | | | admissions office for an application. |
| and trade and industry education) as well as | | | | |
| several required general education courses | | | | Community colleges offer students many |
| (in English, mathematics, and humanities). | | | | chances to maximize their options. Faculty |
| A.S. or A.A.S. degrees require 2 years of | | | | and staff are dedicated to making sure |
| study at the community college. | | | | students achieve their education goals. Even |
| | | | after you graduate from a community college |
| You can enroll in certificate programs that | | | | or if you leave a program without finishing, |
| provide intensive training in a specialized | | | | you can still choose to return to the college |
| field, such as computer-assisted drafting, | | | | for additional study. The commitment to |
| food service technology, or paralegal | | | | openness is one reason community college |
| studies. Many A.S. or A.A.S. programs at | | | | enrollments continue to grow. |