What community college should i go to

Soon after, I was taking 21 yes, 21 credits per semester in order to fulfill the requirements of my psychology major and satisfy my interest in English. It wasn't until one very observant English professor of mine pulled me aside and said "You know you could major in English if you want to, right? A year ago, I finished my Ph. I've been teaching college English for nine years and I can't imagine pursuing a different career path. But, the fact is that I could have. If I didn't go to community college, would I have developed an interest in this career?

Would I have had a keen professor help me reshape my academic trajectory? Would I have had the time, money, and freedom to even explore changing my major? Perhaps I would have anyway, but what I do know is that the support I was offered at my community college was what I expected to get from a four-year school.

So, if you're wondering whether or not community college is the right choice for you, just think about what could be. You might just find yourself and decide on your career path, or, at the very least, you'll save yourself enough money along the way to enjoy the path you're already on. View the most relevant school for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to find your college home.

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Studying for the GMAT? Getting ready for college is an exciting time , but also one that comes with a lot of life-changing decisions. One of the biggest decisions that you will make is whether you want to go to a 4-year university or a 2-year community college. That choice will have a lot to do with your financial situation , other responsibilities, and your desired learning environment. You want your college years to be successful whether you go to community college or a 4-year university.

Pros of choosing a community college A full one-half of students seeking an undergraduate degree start their academic career at their local community college.

Their reasons for attending are determined mostly by their specific circumstances. And because college tuition is so affordable , any loan payments after graduation will be much more manageable than if you attended a 4-year school all the way through. They offer more flexible scheduling Students who attend community college are of all ages and come from all walks of life.

The majority are part-time students. Many have family-related and work responsibilities in addition to their classes. The class scheduling at community colleges allows for these part-time students. Classes are not as rigidly structured as 4-year state colleges and universities, which focus on a predominantly nine-to-five schedule.

Community colleges offer significantly more night classes and weekend classes. This flexibility can be helpful for students who are working and have home-life responsibilities. Photo by StockSnap Community colleges let you explore your interests Some lucky students have had their future careers planned out since they were children. The vast majority, however, use their time at school to explore all possible options.

That means parking is usually cheaper, if not free. Room and board adds significantly to the cost of attending four-year colleges, so this is another major way that community college can be more affordable. Additionally, community colleges often provide the academic flexibility that students need. Many community college courses are offered at night, which is an excellent option for students who work or have families.

Online course offerings are increasing at community colleges as well, giving students another way to seamlessly integrate college courses into their busy schedules. Community colleges are also equipped to meet an array of student skill levels and academic needs.

Students who require remedial courses will typically find dedicated faculty and quality courses that can help them really improve their skills. At the same time, students who choose to attend community college first for convenience will find courses that are challenging, engaging, and effective at preparing them for continuing their education at a four-year university. Students who want a more intimate learning environment may find the small classes at community colleges appealing, too.

This often gives them time and flexibility for offering academic support outside of class to help students achieve their goals. Classes sizes are typically smaller at community colleges as well. Students may have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with classmates, play an active role in classroom learning, and work closely with professors. So if you benefit from hands-on teaching and one-on-one learning, a community college can provide an ideal learning environment for you.

If you want to go into a skilled trade, going to vocational school after high school is a good option. Vocational schools are designed to help you prepare and gain licensure for a job in a skilled trade field, like plumbing, welding, carpentry, and diesel mechanics. Here are three reasons to consider going to trade school.

And if you want to know more about trade schools, be sure to check out our in-depth guide. Yep, you read that right: not all careers require a four-year degree. In these fields, a four-year degree can often be overkill. Some community colleges now offer trade training in certain high-demand areas, like plumbing and computer coding. But this is a new area for many community colleges since their primary goal is to help students prepare for a transition to a four-year university.

As a result, not all community colleges offer trade certification or licensure For some students, going straight to a four-year university is the best choice for them.

This is especially true in fields that require advanced training—like education, engineering, and architecture, to name a few. And depending on how you did in high school, you may be able to start taking advanced courses pretty early on in your collegiate career.

AP courses , IB courses , and dual-credit courses can help you earn college credit before ever stepping foot on a college campus. Outside of the classroom, four-year colleges tend to have a more vibrant campus life than community colleges. Unlike community colleges, which serve adult students of all ages, four-year colleges usually tailor campus life to students who are in the age range.

For many students, a four-year college provides the opportunity to move away from home and live with their friends For students who really want the typical college social experience, starting at a four-year college provides the chance to connect with an energetic community of peers. This gives students more time to focus on work or care for children or other dependents. Some community colleges also offer accelerated courses, which allow students to complete credits and graduate more quickly, leading to more career opportunities.

Community colleges tend to be centrally located, enabling students to attend classes without having to uproot their lives. This makes them a great choice for people who want to keep their postsecondary schooling local.

Other people enjoy community college because of its intimate learning experience; many community colleges offer smaller class sizes than those available at 4-year schools. Frequently, community colleges also offer online courses and degrees, which are more convenient for students who don't have time to attend class in a traditional campus setting. Online courses allow students to complete work from their homes, often on their own schedules. Community college students also often have access to unconventional resources, like letterpress machines or high-resolution digital cameras.

This allows them to explore new hobbies or interests relatively cheaply. Which educational route is better depends on your personal career goals. Some careers only require an associate degree, making community college a better choice.