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