| Community colleges are becoming a popular option for | | | | school students don't feel ready to take on the |
| many students, especially those for whom a traditional | | | | responsibility of living away from home, or have |
| college course is beyond their academic or financial | | | | personal commitments that mean that living away isn't |
| means. A recent study conducted by the American | | | | a feasible option. A community college allows you to |
| Association of community colleges found that 4 in 10 | | | | embark on the next phase of your education without |
| first-time freshmen attend a 2-year community college | | | | losing the security provided by living at home. |
| course rather than taking a full 4-year course. Why not | | | | - You require a flexible schedule. Do you have |
| take a look at our guide below to help you decide if | | | | employment or family commitments that would make |
| Community College could be the right route to success | | | | a regular college timetable impossible to follow? If so, |
| for you? | | | | community colleges offer a whole host of options, |
| What Is a Community College? | | | | including day, evening or weekend classes, the chance |
| Most community colleges offer 2-year courses at an | | | | to study part-time, or even online courses. |
| affordable rate in many locations. The reasons for | | | | Drawbacks of Community College |
| students choosing a community college include: | | | | Naturally, while community colleges are great for those |
| - To start earning basic credits which can be | | | | on a tight budget or with complicated schedules, they |
| transferred to a 4-year college course. | | | | aren't the best choice for everyone. What follows are |
| - To follow a 2 year associate's degree or certificate | | | | some of the most important differences between |
| program in preparation for a particular career. | | | | community colleges and their 4-year counterparts to |
| - To find out more about a potential new career, learn | | | | keep in mind during your college search. |
| new skills with an eye to a specific area of | | | | - Choice of Majors and Courses: Community colleges, |
| employment, or simply to follow a personal interest. | | | | though they might offer a range of courses, can never |
| Why choose a Community College? | | | | compete with the vast number of majors and |
| Community colleges offer advantages to any student, | | | | combinations of classes you can choose to study at |
| but are particularly suitable for those who fall into the | | | | 4-year colleges. |
| following categories. | | | | - Academic Regimen: If you like to move at a fast |
| - Cost of traditional college is too high. Tuition fees at | | | | rate, and pick up concepts quickly, you may find that |
| most community colleges are usually much more | | | | community college isn't for you. Bear in mind that they |
| affordable than at traditional 4 year colleges. Even if | | | | are designed to serve a broad cross-section of |
| you plan to eventually attend a 4-year school, you can | | | | society, accepting students of all abilities, therefore the |
| save big bucks by taking a couple of semesters of | | | | classes may not learn as quickly as you anticipate. |
| general prerequisites at a community college. | | | | - Collegiate Experience: Nothing can compare to the |
| - Your grades aren't up to scratch. You'll usually find | | | | social experience provided by living out at a 4-year |
| that you will be accepted by any community college | | | | college. Community college students may have all the |
| as long as you have a high school diploma, a | | | | freedom by studying online courses or having flexible |
| refreshing change, especially if the more competitive | | | | schedules, but you can't beat living in a dorm and |
| 4-year colleges have knocked you back! Once you've | | | | hanging out on the quad for building a social network |
| completed your 2-year course, it may be easier to | | | | that will last you a lifetime! |
| prove that you have the academic ability to go on to | | | | As with any other choice you'll make throughout your |
| study at a 4-year college. | | | | college search, you need to consider what's going to |
| - You require training for a particular job. If you have a | | | | offer the best combination to enable you to balance |
| specific technical or vocational career in mind, | | | | your personal circumstances and aspirations with your |
| community college can provide a no-nonsense 2-year | | | | goals for future employment. Do your research to |
| course that allows you to focus on this rather than | | | | discover whether your profile fits in better with a |
| having to study a range of subjects. | | | | community college or a 4-year college. |
| - You can't, or don't want to, leave home. Lots of high | | | | |