Advantages of Attending a Community College. Many students start their academic journey to a four-year degree program at their local community college. The question is, “Is it the right choice for you?”
This article will open you up to a few advantages that you can gain from attending a community college before transferring to a four-year University.
If your admission results or financial aid options didn’t turn out as well as you’d hoped, community college might be the best option for you. Community colleges give low-cost ways to explore different interests. Let’s read further.
Contents
What is a Community College?
A community college is a type of undergraduate higher education institution that gives an associate degree, certificate, or diploma. The highest degree available at a community college is usually an associate degree which takes a full-time student about 2 years to complete.
Community colleges serve their local communities by providing college-level classes, job training, professional certificates and a two-year associate degree to its community participants.
Advantages of Attending a Community College
Community colleges are also known as “junior colleges.” These colleges provide educational programs that can earn you associate degrees, professional training or certification in any vocational field.
Community colleges give programs that can help you get a degree at a university. Here are the top ten advantages of attending a community college:
- Cost of tuition
- Financial aid options
- Flexibility
- Trade and vocational programs
- Transfer credits
- Small class sizes
- Online classes
- Personal and Academic support
- A balanced college life
- Avoid pitfalls
1. Cost of tuition
Community colleges give reduced tuition rates for in-state students which gives out easy affordability of post-secondary education to students pursuing a two-year degree. The cost of tuition in community colleges is usually lower than in a 4-year university program.
2. Financial aid options
The provision of financial aid incentives for students who need assistance with their college tuition is also one of the advantages of attending a community college.
Most of the financial aid you can get will cover the cost of school materials as well as your transportation and housing. This coverage makes students apply for student loan programs that come with lower interest rates than a normal traditional student loan.
3. Flexibility
Flexibility is another advantage you can gain from attending a community college. Community colleges give students a way to explore higher education at their own free will and pace.
With the flexibility that community college give, you can have a school-life balance.
Many community colleges also provide day and night classes which can open up opportunities for you to balance your personal or work duties with your academic duties.
4. Trade and vocational programs
In addition to associate degree programs, community colleges also give vocational training programs to students. You can take trade programs in technology, engineering, health care and other vocations. Community colleges will give you specifically designed courses to work towards your specified career.
5. Transfer credits
The ability to transfer credits is one of the advantages of attending a community college. Even though most community colleges don’t stand a chance of giving a 4-year degree, many provide admission agreements with public and state colleges.
These agreements can allow you to transfer your credits to complete a bachelor’s degree. So long as you have met the requirements of the school, you can transfer to a college or university of your choice to complete your bachelor’s program after earning your two-year degree at a community college.
6. Small class sizes
With smaller classes, instructors have more flexibility to adapt lessons to students’ interests and learning styles. Thus, small class sizes can make it easier for you to get personalized instruction, additional academic support and extra time with instructors to succeed in their coursework.
Small classes will also provide you with the easy advantage of connecting with other students which allows you to form and create a relationship that boosts your academic success.
7. Online classes
Community colleges give flexibility in learning. These colleges give online opportunities which makes digital learning even more accessible to you at their fingertips. This easy accessibility can give you even more flexibility in setting up a course schedule.
8. Personal and Academic support
Community colleges are smaller than four-year universities, they make provisions for support services for students. A few of the support services community colleges can give you include jobs, counselling, and healthcare, among others.
Most instructors at community colleges (junior colleges) also have more availability to provide assistance and support to students who need extra help in both their education and personal lives. These support services can guide you in your career and also in the continuity of your educational goals.
9. A balanced college life
The time colleges give for you to adjust to college life is another amazing advantage of attending a community college. Sadly, many students leave home for a four-year college degree very ill-prepared for the challenges of an independent life.
However, starting a two-year college will help you make an easier transition. For you to succeed in college, you must commit to building good time management skills, study skills, and regular time for yourself.
Also, starting a two-year community college will build and help you strengthen the skills needed to attend and graduate from college.
10. Avoid pitfalls
There are many pitfalls you can face while in college, for instance, taking up more course credits than necessary. To avoid unnecessary pitfalls during your college education, you should meet with an advisor or your advisor (if you have one) on a more regular basis.
You can schedule a regular meeting with your advisor before registering for courses each semester. With these meetings, you will always be on track.
Here are a few questions that you can ask your advisors;
- How many credits can I transfer?
- What is the lowest GPA needed to transfer credits?
- Does the college have any articulation (transfer) agreement with any four-year college?
- Is there any necessity for a residency requirement (required number of credits taken at the four-year college) for graduation?
Conclusion
In summary, if you are a student who is thinking about how to further your education in a college or university, then, this article is for you. Ask yourself questions like, “Where can I get the best education at an affordable cost?” A two-year community college is the best available option. There are so many advantages of attending a community college. Some of these advantages include low tuition fees, flexibility, small class sizes, financial aid options, and a balanced college. Best wishes as you further your education at a community college.
