Community College : Is It A Waste Of Time?

Rose’s work named, “What college Can Mean to the Other America” talks about the education system and how it affects different groups of people. Written within the article is Roses’ own interpretation on how different forms of education can all lead to some sort of beneficial support. To this day, community colleges get a lot of criticism because it is believed that those who were not good enough for normal colleges and universities would attend them. In reality, Rose is trying to get across that all forms of education should be respected, because everyone trying to receive a form of education is only trying to better their own future. Within Rose’s work are some key points that follow along with what he is trying to get across.

Community colleges were once looked at as institutions only for those who could not get into the university, Trowbridge used the term “second-class academic institutions” to describe

Community college is an underrated option for many students. As Americans grow society has drilled into us that we need to continue our education after high school to become stars in this world. Addison writes about how going to a university was seen as a rite of passage and was a way to find ourselves. In today society not going to a university is seen as not being good enough to make it in to anywhere better. This is why many students will attend university when it would have been more feasible to attend a community college first.

One educational opportunity that I never would have thought would even have been an opportunity was my decision to go to community college. While I used to feel as though I had to prove myself by going to a 4-year university right away, at College of the Canyons, I have actually learned more about myself and my academic ethics. I used to feel that community college was a barrier, separating me from my university dreams. However, without my community college journey, my academic passions and endeavors might not have been the same. I have used this time to learn how to be more assertive as well as more willing to problem solve and think out of the box. Since my goals were not handed to me on a silver platter, the community college process has

Two Years Are Better than Four is an essay by Liz Addison, published in the New York Times Magazine’s College Essay Contest. It follows the fictional, yet symbolic, character, Rick Perlstein. Through the character, Addison expresses her thoughts on the American Higher Education system. Consequently, she highlights the importance of community colleges in the provision of higher education. Addison discounts the 4-year courses provided by mainstream universities. Throughout her essay, Liz Addison claims that Community Colleges are better institutions of higher learning as compared to Universities. This paper tries to outline them as it provides reasoning, evidence and assumptions presumed, in coming up with the aforementioned arguments.

Addison argues throughout her paper by using an article she read of a man named Rick Perlstein she says in her article that he had a hard time with college he feels like it is a waste because of all the qualifications you need to get into college. Addison argues with Perlstein throughout her paper to say that college opens the door to your future. Addison believes if Perlstein went to a community college he would have been more successful than at the University of Privilege. Going to a community college, she believes that understanding anything is possible and anyone can go there no matter what educational level they are and everyone will succeed when going to community college. If students work hard and put their time in doing their assignments, they can easily complete their graduation. She believes that joining a community college is not so difficult all we have to do is take a placement test and that will change our

In the essay, Two Years Are Better Than Four, the author, Liz Addison, gives her opinion on the importance of community college. The main point that she is trying to convey to her audience is that going to a community college is not harming the essential college experience. For some individuals, such as herself, the two-year college experience is exactly what they need to further their education. Community college is an affordable place that can “foster dreams (Addison)”. Throughout the reading, Addison makes compelling statements to prove the point which she is trying to make.

In fact, the community college education is overlooked and not given the value which it truly deserves. In her reading, Addison mentions the advantages and philosophy of the community college. In this quote, she states that the community college education is valuable and she would endorse it everywhere, “[t]he community college system is America’s hidden public service gem. If I were a candidate for office I would campaign from every campus” (257). Addison also suggests that anyone living in America and who is looking to go to college knows where to find one. After completing high school, many students are confused with what they want to do with their life, or which career path they want to follow. The community college simply helps students to just begin, “[t]he philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin” (Addison 256). They let anyone in, and there you will find discoveries of different programs, degrees, and certificates. Addison uses the example of how following road signs will automatically help you find your way down the road, “[j]ust follow the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside and there you will find discoveries of a first independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” (256). At a community college, students can receive the college experience which their parents nor grandparents had received. Students at such an institution can enter on empty and leave with a head full of dreams. In addition, community college allows low-income students to get the college experience which they cannot afford to receive at a regular four-year university. Likewise, after listing few benefits of attending a community college, Addison again questions Perlstein’s statement, “[h]ow can Mr. Perlstein say college

Liz Addison, the author of “Two Years Are Better than Four,” started with a question on the importance of college. She wrote this essay in response to Perlstein’s piece, “What’s the Matter With College.” Addison argued that college is important while Perlstein thought differently. Starting with how the beginning of the college process starts, Addison states that for any one person, that the idea of a community college is for one to begin their journey (Addison, 256). This I would agree with because attending a four-year college during the start of the college journey, I have found myself lost with no idea on how to begin. Therefore, transferring to a community college, finally realizing that a community college is where I should have begun.

Perhaps some student aren’t ready to jump into four year college right after high school. Perhaps some students don’t have enough money or funding to afford four year colleges. For those who trying start taking classes, a community college, two years colleges or vocational school might a good place to get adjusted for college or for training to enter the workforce early. Liz Addison, supporter for two-year community colleges, considers community colleges the ideal place to begin and that it is not important to make the jump into a four-year university. In her essay, “Two Years Are Better than Four,” Addison portrays the theory of the community college. She assumes “The philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that conditionally allows its students to begin” (256). Her assumption are based on her idea “the community college system is America’s hidden public service gem” (257). A similar idea that Charles Murray believes in. He also believes community colleges the ideal place to begin for those who are training to enter the workforce early. He states “Try to force her (for example, by setting up a demanding core curriculum), and she will transfer to another school, because she is in college for vocational training. She wants to write computer code. Start a business. Get a job in television. She uses college to take vocational courses that pertain to her career interests.”().These to supporters of two years colleges and vocational training are encouraging students looking for place to start or those who are trying to get certain skills to join the

Countless numbers of college freshman transfer out after their first year of studies. Many return, some don't. Unfortunately, many of these students felt displaced and found that their expectations were not met by the university they attended. Attending community school gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while taking the time to select the 4-year institution that is right for them. Because there is little financial investment, most students

Deciding whether to attend a community college or university can be a difficult decision for students especially high school seniors and fresh high school graduates. After graduating from high school, the next step in the academic journey is to attend a college or a university. Before I got into college, I wanted to attend a university. I never considered attending a community college because I considered it irrelevant and less rewarding than a university. Now I have a different view about community colleges and I can clearly point out the major difference between a community college and a university. A community college is a two year college which offers two or three year courses and award associate degrees and certificates. Most community colleges are linked with certain universities which makes it easier for students to transfer. My decision to attend a community was strongly influenced by Cost, easy transition to university, and the need to balance school, work, and social life.

Pain Fain states “it found that enrollments at two-year colleges are down for the third consecutive year, dropping by 3.5 percent during the year prior to last fall. That decline is largest among older students, who may be returning to the workforce, the report said.” This explains how more community college students are dropping out to work instead because it's very hard in a community college. Increasing

“When it comes to college education, American families are paying more and getting less” Patricia Schroeder. Even though there are differences between community college and universities, both have courses that help students obtain academic credentials necessary to meet specific career requirements. When transitioning from high school to a higher level of education there are choses between a community college and a university. If someone has a set career path in mind such as criminal justice, generally they would choose a four-year university. If an individual is not ready to leave home and not financially stabled, a community college is what they would choose.

I replied, “What! Are you serious?” He said, “Yes, things will go better for you if you got your college degree.” Although I attended a community college after high school (in the 1980s), at age 33, I thought my days to chase higher education were far gone. To stand firm upon what I thought, I was determined to dismiss any ideas to sit inside a college classroom.