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