| College isn't just for high school seniors anymore. | | | | credits over to a four-year school. The key in choosing |
| These days, people of all ages are starting to realize | | | | the best community college option is knowing why the |
| the potential benefits a college education can bring. | | | | degree is needed. If Associate's is a stepping-stone to |
| Older students, those who are older than 24 years of | | | | a Bachelor's degree, then having a full picture of the |
| age, are quickly outpacing traditionally younger aged | | | | courses the community college offers is important. If |
| college students on campuses nationwide. These | | | | the college chosen doesn't offer courses that are |
| coeds, referred to as non-traditional students, are | | | | easily transferable or worthwhile, than it would be wise |
| usually older, with a job and a family to support. The | | | | to choose another school. |
| different circumstances of these students present | | | | Lastly, career colleges are an option that many |
| some challenges when it comes to searching for a | | | | non-traditional students are turning to. Career colleges |
| college. | | | | are usually schools that brag a shorter period of study |
| Most four-year universities and colleges require | | | | and early graduation options. Career colleges offer |
| students to submit SAT and ACT scores as a | | | | specific courses in varying subjects like Web Design, |
| requirement of admission. However, those records | | | | Fashion Merchandising and Culinary Arts. Many career |
| might not be available-if at all, for non-traditional | | | | colleges have proven to be great places to earn a |
| students who have been out of school awhile. In this | | | | degree. It's always best to weigh the options available |
| instance, it's necessary for a non-traditional student to | | | | and tally the whole degree-not simply the cost per |
| consider other college options. Those options include | | | | semester. |
| technical schools, community colleges and career | | | | Although the college search options for non-traditional |
| colleges. | | | | students are varied, some re-entry students still |
| Technical schools are usually two-year colleges that | | | | consider a traditional four-year college the best option |
| offer specific courses. Those courses are usually | | | | for them. Many of these colleges are offering such |
| geared towards labor-intensive jobs, like carpentry, | | | | innovations as night and weekend classes as well as |
| welding or mechanics. Most people who attend these | | | | online courses in order to accommodate older, busier |
| schools have been pre exposed to a particular job | | | | students. This means more profits for the schools and |
| and simply want to refresh or add onto existing skills. | | | | definitely more choices for non-traditional students as |
| Some technical colleges have core classes that are | | | | well. |
| transferable to a four year college, most of those | | | | As of 1998, nearly 41% of all college students in the |
| schools, however, have less hands-on major that are | | | | Untied States were 25 years of age or older. This |
| more technologically fueled. | | | | means a very dramatic shift from the traditional image |
| Community colleges are usually two-year schools that | | | | of a college coed. More and more 'adult' students are |
| offer core courses acceptable for transfer to other | | | | realizing that along with the sacrifice and time it takes |
| colleges. The main purpose of attending these schools | | | | to earn a post secondary degree comes the reward |
| beyond getting an Associate's degree is transferring | | | | of higher earnings and greater career opportunities. |