3 cons of community college
Few have plans for an academic future outside of what they receive at the junior college leveland they study accordingly. 2. There are lots of reasons that you might be looking into community college as a possible option. Low cost of tuition: Community colleges offer education at a relatively lower cost as compared to their university counterparts. If you are not academically or emotionally ready to commit to succeeding at a 4 year university, or if the finances. I attended CC by choice. For this article, a traditional school is defined as a brick and mortar campus that offers four-year undergraduate degrees. Student Loan Debt Reaches a Staggering $1.53 Trillion, washingtonpost.com, Oct. 3, 2018, Zack Friedman, Student Loan Debt Statistics in 2018: A $1.5 Trillion Crisis, forbes.com, June 13, 2018, Institute of Education Science, Fast Facts: Back to School Statistics, nces.gov (accessed Mar. If you are attending a community college full-time over two semesters, then the average cost is less than $4,000 per year in tuition. It is usually close to home. Move towards the people, places and ideas that light you up and physically make your body feel good, Pollitt said. From the research, I have concluded that out of the three types of schoolscommunity colleges, for-profit schools, and show more content Pros and cons of going to a community college first and then - Reddit However, it is important that you weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision. Before heading to college, your kid should know how to wash, dry, fold and put away their own clothes, Becky Rapinchuk, the cleaning expert known as Clean Mama, told HuffPost. They are complacent about where they are in life and have no desire to use the credits earned for anything beyond the community college. You might also find classes that will help you earn a specific certification in some vocations that can be used for job advancement. For example, my math course had 22 students. 1. Student loan debt in the United States is almost $1.75 trillion. But its a skill worth mastering. Professors are often more accessible in this type of learning format. Non-Transferrable Credits 2. Adults dont want your excuses.. This may be another one of those instances where for you, this really isnt a con. Encourage your kids to get to know people different than themselves it can make their life that much richer. But many of the most essential skills they need to succeed post-high school arent ones they learn in a classroom. There is sometimes very little course work aside from major exams but keep in mind that college is what you make it - putting in the time is entirely up to you. Trade and vocational programs give students hands-on training and experience in a specific field without requiring liberal arts and other general education courses to graduate. You might be going back to school after taking a break or maybe youre unsure of where to start. Some schools will offer students a chance to waive the fee, but that depends on the school and the student. , $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship No Essay. Being able to say sorry, take responsibility for your mistakes without a bunch of justifications or blaming someone else will help your kid go far in their personal and professional relationships. 5, 2019, National Center for Education Statistics, Back to School Statistics, nces.ed.gov (accessed Mar. One of the biggest advantages to community colleges is the price tag! By Leigh Perkins | Last Updated: May 20, 2019. Grants from the Ascendium Education Group, Hawaii Community Foundation and the Harold K.L. If you are looking for a lively social scene, again, community college is probably not for you. Community schools are just as flexible for the students as for the professors. But dont go on and on explaining what happened. Whatever the reason, lets take a look at some pros and cons below. At the same time, its worth encouraging your child to start thinking practically about their life post-graduation. Its OK if they change their mind, of course, but they should have a solid idea of what their potential career paths are and what they can expect their return on investment to be when they graduate, Tai said, noting that sites like the Occupational Outlook Handbook can be helpful. What is a Community College? - Everything You Need to Know The average cost of tuition and fees at a 4-year private university in the United States is about $130,000. 7. Community colleges may offer an easier application process, better accessibility due to a higher number of campuses, and technical and professional certificate programs not offered by large universities. Find the college that's right for your child. Balancing the Pros and Cons of Community College "Grow-Your-Own" Leadership Programs. That makes it much easier for working adults to fit classes in with their schedule. 5. For every $10,000 your child has in a UTMA or UGMA, your expected family contribution will go up by $2,000. Though some colleges are giving students the option to not include ACT/SAT scores, they are still commonly required for the most college applications. Attending a four-year college or university can have pros and cons just like its community college counterpart. This can happen in many forms, like ordering out food for a variety of reasons. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. In this article, well take a look at a few of the key differences between community colleges and traditional four-year colleges to help you identify what route is best for you. According to federal statistics, 42% of public community college freshmen take remedial courses, and further studies show that 79% of remedial courses are taught by part-time faculty. Most students attend on-campus events, which may involve athletic, cultural, and political activities. The Pros And Cons Of Free Community College - bartleby Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Let your body be your guide.. Classes cost less, so you will have the opportunity to explore interests that you might not have otherwise pursued. Photo by Diane VanDyke . 3. Starting college is a major transition. They usually offer technical, vocational, and associate degrees, though some do offer full bachelor degree programs. Not to mention the obvious financial advantage, junior college is a place where you can knock out your general courses and explore your other interests on a schedule that works for you. Why should people who want to go to college get it paid for in part by people who pursue on-the-job training or other forms of noncollege education?, he wrote in the Wall Street Journal, adding, Indeed, why should anyone get a degree to increase their lifetime earnings on the backs of taxpayers? [28], College costs have increased for of a number of reasons unrelated to tuition, including fancy dorms, amenities like lazy rivers and climbing walls, student services (such as healthcare), athletics, increases in administrative personnel, and cuts in state funding. A community college is the perfect employment option for those who just graduated with a degree, need to work part-time, or are trying to carve out personalized career goals outside of an educational institution. Explain your answers. Maybe they dont need to know how to clean a toilet if theyre living in the dorms freshman year, but knowing how to clean a bathroom is a skill every child needs to learn, Rapinchuk said. [24][1], The estimated cost of Bernie Sanders free college program was $47 billion per year, and had states paying 33% of the cost, or $15.5 billion. For the students who are looking for an energetic social scene, a community college is going to come up lacking in that department. Although a community college may offer athletics, organizations, and clubs for student participation, it is not as integrated into campus life as it would be at a traditional institution. Pros and cons of community college. They contributed to society with higher levels of volunteering, voting, and charitable giving. Many junior colleges cost less than two thousand dollars each semester to attend full time. What are the cons of community college? : r/college - Reddit If you chose to attend a community college, youll likely need to move on to another school or program in order to complete your undergraduate degree. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. Bush), many congressmen, at least one Secretary of State, 14 Nobel Prize winners, at least 24 Pulitzer Prize winners, many entertainers (including Johnny Cash, Paul Newman, and Clint Eastwood), and many more. Plus, every person you get to know living in a way thats different from yours means your world just got bigger.. The major downside can be the steep cost. If you attend a standard college or university, then your class schedule typically follows a 9-5 day, much like a job would. [7] [8] [9] [10], The beneficiaries of the free tuition contributed to the economy by buying cars and homes, and getting jobs after college, while not being burdened by college debt. There are more than 1,100 community colleges currently enrolling students in the U.S. today. 2. A community college only costs a fraction of that of a traditional university, which is one of the main reasons people chose to take advantage of them. Then, all of a sudden, they have graduated high school, become adults, and are expected to do all the things they just spent their entire life suppressing, Lockhart said. The benefits of a community college dont belong to only the students. Students get extra time to choose the right college. For which colleges/universities? Community colleges typically have smaller libraries than universities, possibly reducing the research opportunities of their students (though libraries may be part of an interlibrary loan agreement with other libraries at universities, or community college students may be eligible for privileges at a local university library). This easy scholarship is open to all US-based high school, college, and graduate students! This simple task takes a little instruction but will ensure that the sheets and comforter and quilt are washed at least a couple times before coming home for holiday break, Rapinchuk said. [37] [38] [39] [55], At the national level, free college programs have been in effect for military personnel since the 1944 GI Bill. 4 Major Benefits of Going to College Going to college can make you richer, happier, and healthiersounds good to me! 10 Significant Benefits of Community College - Honest Pros and Cons Community Colleges - SUNY Share your scholarship with eligible students. These degrees are designed to enter the workforce not for transfer to a 4-year college. This makes education at these institutions more affordable and hence more accessible and more affordable. There is a historic connotation that community colleges are often considered the schools of last resort, because of their open-admissions policies, which may reflect poorly upon students who were unable to receive admission to a college offering a wider variety of degree programs. In a smaller class, professors have the opportunity to learn more about their students. In the United States, a 529 plan is structured like an IRA, except that the account is used to pay for educational costs instead of a retirement. Privacy Policy. The average 2019 graduate owed $28,950 in . Should Student Loan Debt Be Eliminated via Forgiveness or Bankruptcy? Traditional universities can also offer sports, state of the art facilities, and travel opportunities. It's also about on-campus events, college sports, and connecting with people in person. Here are the proper bibliographic citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): [Editor's Note: The APA citation style requires double spacing within entries. [14], Jamie Merisotis, President and CEO of the Lumina Foundation, stated, A dramatic increase in the number of Americans with college credentials is absolutely essential for our economic, social and cultural development as a country. [15], The rapid rise of tuition has limited access to higher education, which is essential in todays workforce: three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations now call for education beyond high school, according to the US Department of Education. You can even save further if you try to eat most of your meals at home, take care of your laundry at home, and the other tasks of daily living that push the costs of a traditional college or university even higher. Class sizes are usually smaller at a community college. Also see: What states have the Promise program? If you are pursuing a 2-year path at a community college that will lead to an eventual Bachelors degree, then you may find that your options for a major may be limited. and our This makes participation in group collaboration exercises and study groups difficult to coordinate, and extracurricular activities suffer as well. Otherwise, your grant is converted into a loan that has to be paid back. A community college is a college that generally serves local or nearby communities. On campus housing may or may not be a pro for you personally, but in this case, wed like to focus on why it can be a great thing! Or, going out and sharing Uber or Lyft rides, only one person orders, and peers may say theyll Venmo or catch them next time. All of these expenses can add up quickly and students can easily bypass budgets for the semester.. For some lifestyles and career paths, community college can actually be a better fit. Pros and cons of a community college - Pros an Cons Part of HuffPost Parenting. Flexible Hours 3. If college sports are important to you, keep in mind that community colleges dont always have teams. Although there are limitations to what can be accomplished with this format, it can serve as a stepping stone toward bigger and better opportunities for those who are invested in the process. Keep in mind that depending on where you live, a growing number of community colleges either offer housing or are equipped to help you find it. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. ProCon.org. Junior colleges do have clubs and organizations, but campus life is not an integral part of the atmosphere. Along with a greater number of degree programs, there are also typically more topics to earn certificates in. Arkansas: You must complete high school in Arkansas or have lived there for three years, full time. Just make sure you show up on time and get your work done. If you plan on obtaining a 4-year degree you will have to transfer to another university at some point. Many students don't realize that if they plan on working while attending school, community college is hands down the best option. He was waitlisted at Vanderbilt (known for taking lots of transfers, myself included) but he was one of the 15 students accepted to Princeton for the first time in 20 years. Some colleges, especially federal land grant schools, had free tuition beginning in the 1860s. When attending a traditional four year college, there are typically a greater number of degree programs that you can choose to major and minor in. 5 Reasons to Consider Community College - U.S. News & World Report Frequently Asked Questions: Get Skilled, Get a Job, Get Ahead (G3) Program. One of the largest benefits of attending community college is that it is often more affordable than a four-year school. 2004-2023 K12academics.com All Rights Reserved. Scholarships.com Publisher Why Starting At Community College Is Better (And Why It's Not) - Forbes All rights reserved. Strictly speaking, one is not automatically better than the other. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Plan on giving yourself more time when filling out applications for universities. SAT: how to decide which test to take. Should College Be Free? The Pros and Cons - The Balance 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 My parents want me to go to a community college because its cheaper and then transfer to a 4-year college. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. What are the cons about it? Top resources for your child's scholarship journey. Approximately 92% of US student loans are owned by the US Department of Education. Many community colleges engage in various Cooling Out processes. There are many things to consider when applying to schools for higher education. During her time at OU, Cait has become active in the outdoor recreation community and plans to study abroad in Spain. Last modified on August 24, 2022. Should college tuition be free? Community College vs. University: Pros & Cons - Scholarships360 Then, they will drop out and have a student loan but no skills. If youre attending a community college, theres a much greater chance that you may be looking to take classes part time. Michelle Singletary, U.S. 9 states have statewide programs with few eligibility limits, while 23 have [s]tate sponsored free college tuition programs with income, merit, geographical or programmatic limitations. 18 states have no free college programs. The average tuition fee for a four-year university is $ 24,000 per year for a state and $ 32,000 for a private university. Some equivalent lower-division classes required for the major may not be offered. First, what do we mean by traditional universities or colleges? The average 2019 graduate owed $28,950 in college loans. When compared to private colleges or universities, students at a community college might save up to 90% on their tuition costs. 5 pros and cons of Obama's free community college plan Easier Admission Requirements 6. If you spend the first 2 years at a community college instead, the cost of your 4-year tuition would be under $80,000. If you struggle with taking tests, this option might not be right for you. Move towards the people, places and ideas that light you up and physically make your body feel good, Pollitt said. If youve been handling these tasks for them heretofore, this is your reminder to hand over the reins. 45 million Americans have student loan debt, and 7.5 million of those borrowers are in default. Students may feel they are missing out on the traditional freshman college experience, an essential year in which many four-year college students begin to get involved in activities, make friends, and find . Further reading: How to transfer from a community college. There are benefits and drawbacks to both types of school that potential applicants will want to contemplate. In the real world there will be deadlines and due dates that require their attention, and real penalties for not taking action. 2. Compared to the price of tuition at in-state public universities, students can save 50% or more on their educational costs for the first 2 years of their undergraduate degree.