How To Choose a Community College

Author: Jan Ignash

Source

ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges

Common Paths of the Community College Student

Steps To Take in Choosing a Community College

Resource Organizations

Sources

Forums

Education and Kids

Preparing Your Child For College: A Resource Book for Parents

KidSource Store

The American Heritage Children's Dictionary

Books to Build on: A Grade-By-Grade Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers (Core Knowledge Series)

Valerie & Walter's Best Books for Children: A Lively, Opinionated Guide

In fall 1993, nearly 6 million students were enrolled in one of the nation's 1,440 2-year colleges. This enrollment figure is an increase of approximately 600,000 students over the 1991 enrollment, and community college enrollments are expected to continue to increase. Why are more and more students choosing community colleges? What are the advantages of attending community colleges? What should students consider when deciding whether to attend a community college?

Advantages of Attending Community Colleges Students attend community colleges for various reasons. Some choose community colleges because tuition and fees are lower than at 4-year colleges and universities. The estimated average cost of tuition and fees at public 2-year colleges nationwide for the 1993-1994 school year was $1,099 compared to an estimated average of $2,365 at 4-year colleges.

Students are likely to mention the following advantages of attending community colleges:

I like the extra attention I get from the instructors at my community college. They are readily available to students and seem to care that we do well.
I need to be able to work to support my family. I take classes at the community college in the morning and go to work from there.
The money I'm saving by living at home and going to my local community college will help pay for my junior and senior years at the state university.
My community college is helping me get the skills I need to qualify for enrollment in the nursing program. In addition to the basic skills courses I'm taking in English and science, I also receive special one-on-one attention at the Learning Resource Center.
I wasn't sure what program I wanted to pursue. A counselor at my community college helped me assess my abilities, interests, and educational options. With my counselor, I've put together a program in computer graphics I'm really happy with.

Common Paths of the Community College Student

One: Preparing for Transfer to the University

For many students, the community college experience is the first of several steps in their education after high school. If you think you might want to continue your education at a 4-year college or university, you need to plan ahead. You don't want to repeat courses at a 4-year college if you have already taken them at your community college. Many community colleges have articulation agreements with 4-year colleges and universities to accept courses for transfer credit. Transfer credit means the courses you took at the community college are recognized as equivalent to the same courses offered by the 4-year college you want to attend. Under articulation agreements, you receive full credit for your community college course work. However, not all courses offered at your local community college may be transferable to every 4-year college or university. Contact your community college guidance and counseling office to find out which 4-year colleges and universities will accept your community college course work for transfer credit.

Two: Preparing for the World of Work

If you are interested in finding employment after you finish your courses at the community college, you have the following options:

You can earn the community college associate in science (A.S.) degree or associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which usually requires specialized courses (in fields such as business, health occupations, and trade and industry education) as well as several required general education courses (in English, mathematics, and humanities). A.S. or A.A.S. degrees require 2 years of study at the community college.
You can enroll in certificate programs that provide intensive training in a specialized field, such as computer-assisted drafting, food service technology, or paralegal studies. Many A.S. or A.A.S. programs at community colleges have certificate options for students who want to take courses in a specialized area of study but who don't want to spend the time necessary to earn the 2-year A.S. or A.A.S. degree.
You can earn an associate of science degree in a specialized occupational or technical area of study with the intention of transferring to a 4-year university and pursuing further study in your specialized field rather than going directly to work. Two-year and 4-year colleges often have arrangements so their programs are complementary and build upon each other. Check with the guidance and counseling department at your local community college to learn about arrangements like this in your specialized field of study.

Three: Gaining Job Skills and Personal Fulfillment

You don't have to enroll in a specific program at your local community college. You have the option of simply taking courses in subjects that interest you. Check with your local community college for a list of credit and noncredit courses to see what is offered.

Four: Preparing for College-Level Academics

For students who want to pursue college course work but who lack the basic reading, writing, mathematics, or science skills necessary to take the courses, the community college offers developmental education classes as well as learning resource centers that can provide special one-on-one tutoring. The learning resource centers have specially trained staff and can provide assistance on both an individual and small-group basis. Contact either your counseling office or the learning resources center at your college to find out what special services are available to help you attain your education goals.

Back to the Table of Contents

Steps To Take in Choosing a Community College

So, how do you choose a community college? Who will give you the information you need to make a solid choice? The following steps should send you well on your way:

Request a catalog from your local community colleges describing the courses and programs they offer. Also ask for a "schedule of courses" for the current term.
Once you've reviewed the course schedule and catalog, schedule an appointment with a college counselor. Ask the counselor how to go about finding the right program for you. What type of career guidance can he or she provide?
Once you identify a program that interests you, ask the counselor if the college offers that program. If not, are there any colleges nearby that offer it? Remember, not all colleges offer the same programs. Also, if you need to work while you are attending school, check to see what time of day the courses you need are offered. Is it possible to arrange your work schedule to fit your class schedule? How long will it take you to complete the courses you need, given projected class schedules over the next few semesters or years?
Find out how much it costs to complete the program that interests you. Ask the college counselor if any financial aid is available to you that might help defray the costs of attending college. Don't forget to ask about any special financial aid that might be available to help with child care, transportation, or other costs you may incur in pursuing your education. Also, check to see if the college has work-study programs or actually provides child care or special transportation to campus.
Once you have decided on the courses you wish to take, you are ready to enroll. Ask the admissions office for an application.

Community colleges offer students many chances to maximize their options. Faculty and staff are dedicated to making sure students achieve their education goals. Even after you graduate from a community college or if you leave a program without finishing, you can still choose to return to the college for additional study. The commitment to openness is one reason community college enrollments continue to grow.

Back to the Table of Contents

Resource Organizations

	American Association of Community Colleges 
	National Center for Higher Education
	One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 410
	Washington, DC 20036-1176
	202-728-0200

	ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges
	UCLA, 3051 Moore Hall
	405 Hilgard Avenue
	Los Angeles, CA 90024-1521
	310-825-3931
	800-832-8256
	http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/ERIC/eric.html

	HEATH Resource Center
	National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education 
	  for Individuals with Disabilities
	One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 800
	Washington, DC 20036-1193
	202-939-9320
	800-544-3284

Back to the Table of Contents

Sources

Most of the following references--those identified with an ED or EJ number--have been abstracted and are in the ERIC database. Documents with an ED number can be found on microfiche at more than 900 locations or ordered in paper copy from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service at 1-800-443-ERIC. The journal articles can be found at most research libraries. Call 1- 800-LET-ERIC for more details.

Bahruth, Robert E., and Phillip N. Venditti, eds. (1990). Profiles in Success: Reflections on the Community College Experience. Washington, DC: American Association of Community Colleges. ED 350 051.

National Center for Education Statistics (1990). College Costs 1989-90. Basic Student Charges at 2-Year and 4-Year Institutions. Survey Report. Washington, DC. ED 325 028.

Peterson's Guides (1992). Peterson's Guide to Two-Year Colleges, 1993. Princeton, NJ. ED 352 097. Back to the Table of Contents

Credits

THIS DIGEST WAS CREATED BY ERIC, THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ERIC, CONTACT ACCESS ERIC 1-800-LET-ERIC

Back to the Top

Infants | Toddlers | Preschoolers | K-12
Education | Health | Recreation | Parenting | Organizations | Store
Home | Media Info | Survey | About Us | Legal