| Community colleges have become a staple of many | | | | coursework involved can just be a bit too much. |
| areas offering quality college-level courses for people | | | | Community college offers a good balance. Students |
| unable to attend a traditional four-year institution. | | | | are exposed to the more difficult coursework that is |
| However, many students view community college in a | | | | commonplace in four-year colleges, but they can stay |
| negative light. Some believe it's a welcoming area for | | | | close to home and slowly transition into a more |
| the mediocre and "not good enough." | | | | independent lifestyle. So, if they decide to follow the |
| There are some drawbacks to attending community | | | | two-year transfer track, they'll be more than capable |
| college, but there are a myriad of positives. Here are | | | | of heading off to a university, being on their own, and |
| some... | | | | having the experience of completing intense |
| 1.) Low tuition costs: Compared to the tuition rates | | | | college-level coursework. |
| charged by traditional colleges, community colleges are | | | | Some of the drawbacks... |
| a bargain and a half, especially when you consider the | | | | 1.) Lack of bonding with fellow students: Most |
| fact that many 100 and 200 level community college | | | | community college students are older in age, only |
| courses transfer equivocally to four-year institutions. | | | | attend part-time, and usually commute from their job. |
| That means Intro to English is equal, credit wise, at | | | | This means that the opportunity to bond with students |
| your local community college and the prestigious | | | | and develop new relationships is much more |
| university that charges more than double for the same | | | | challenging. In addition, if a students employs the |
| course. | | | | aforementioned two-year transfer track, they might |
| 2.) The two-year transfer track: If you attend a | | | | have a difficult time socially when they arrive at their |
| community college, it does not mean you will be unable | | | | four-year university. This is due to the fact that |
| to attend a four-year school. In fact, a popular strategy | | | | students already at the university may have |
| many students are employing is attending a community | | | | developed a close group of friends during their first |
| college for two years, attaining their associate's | | | | two years. This is especially true of students living in |
| degree, and then transferring to a four-year college. | | | | the dorms during their freshman and sophomore years. |
| This is becoming so popular that some community | | | | A community college transfer student will be lacking |
| colleges are actually forming arrangements with | | | | that experience with their fellow students. |
| four-year universities that guarantee placement within | | | | 2.) Being stuck close to home: This may not be a |
| the four-year university upon completion of an | | | | drawback to some people but to others, it can be hell. |
| associate's degree at a community college. This is an | | | | And I'm not just talking about students. Some parents |
| extremely cost-effective way to obtain a college | | | | may be more than willing to let their child go off to |
| degree (harkening back to positive #1 listed above) | | | | college and become their own person. So, if their child |
| since students can complete all of their General | | | | decided to attend community college and request to |
| Education requirements in community college for half | | | | stay at home for a couple more years, that can be |
| the price and then complete their major courses at the | | | | equally painful for the adult. |
| four-year university. So basically, you'll wind up with a | | | | Conclusion: As you can see, there are numerous |
| bachelor's degree from a prestigious university while | | | | positives to attending community college. Of course, |
| saving a boatload of cash. | | | | there are some drawbacks to the experience. But |
| 3.) Easier transition: Many students become | | | | ultimately, the decision of whether or not to attend |
| overwhelmed by the dramatic transition from high | | | | community college is dependent on you and what you |
| school to college life. This can be attributed to leaving | | | | feel is best for your situation. |
| home and being independent or the intense | | | | |