Community college versus University
After a student has finished their junior and senior years of high school they have to make the decision to either go to a community college or a Big named university. Both community college and university have some of the same responsibilities, but in the long run they are completely different due to the class size and personal time with professors, the location of the schools and the dorm life, the tuition differences, and the type of degrees that can be taken.
While deciding whether to go to community college or university the student must think about what type of learner they are. Do they prefer to be completely independent or do they like having access to the professors when they need help. The average
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The location of the college is another huge difference between community college and university. If the student is looking to be more independant and live on there own and have the full college experience then University is the place to go. But, if the student is unsure about living on their own or having to move to a distant campus, community college offers them the luxury of getting a college education without having to pack up and move. University student must relocate to the college campus, where they are possibly far from home and have to learn to live independently. While the students are living independently they have a greater opportunity to participate in social clubs, fraternities, and on campus events like sport games and festivals. Universities have many different athletic programs for example Ferris state has hockey, football, basketball and soccer (both men and women), and track and field. The only downside of going to a university is that if the student had a previous job before going to the university they are forced to leave the job so they can get an education instead. Where was community college there are no Dorms on campus because either it’s close to home or in the local area, students are able to keep their jobs and still get an education. There are no Dorms on campus Community colleges also have any clubs and organizations some even have certain sports teams for example Schoolcraft has soccer, basketball, golf, and volleyball.
In high school, students have the tendency to think that community college is something that is bad. In “Confessions Of A Girl Who Was ‘Too Smart For Community College’,” Chelsea Fagan talks about how in school, she had a hard time in school with her grades and how her school showed off kids that went to college on a bulletin board. She tried everything to avoid going to a community college. Only for the reason that there was a “stigma” on how community colleges are mostly frowned upon or even laughed at (Fagan). Being rejected from many colleges she then convinced herself that she was too smart to go to a community college. Later on she reluctantly went to community college expecting it to be terrible. She quickly realized that community college was a great place to be. Later on, this gave her opening to go to other places. She closes off with her stating how community college is a great place financially and also a great place to mature. In “Confessions Of A Girl Who Was ‘Too Smart For Community College,’” Chelsea Fagan’s simple structure and casual tone make it easy for a reader to understand her main point, and I agree with her concerns on the reproach of community college, but she never really explained why community college was great other than her thoughts on it being cheaper making her argument a little weak.
This article provides an insightful view into the perceived and real status of community colleges in relation to their university counterparts. Once thought of as a place merely for underachievers to attend for workforce training, Trowbridge points out these institutions now have more to offer. They provide an affordable opportunity for students to complete the same courses that are available at the university for a fraction of the cost. Noting the financial savings in comparison to the traditional university, along with the overall quality of instruction, local community colleges have become a viable alternative for those seeking a college education without the incurring unnecessary amounts of debt.
Benefits of attending a community college as opposed to a traditional university tend to be overlooked by potential students. They are either unaware of its advantages or do not fully understand how this type of education can benefit their cause. Year after year large amounts of students choose to go straight from high school and in to four-year universities. The problem with this particular situations is that universities in general tend to have 50-400 students in one
In the article “Two Years Are Better Than Four” author Liz Addison writes about how community college is a forgotten option for many students in America, and that it is not well advertised like the universities are. She writes about how community college is a great option for students who need a less expensive option, but still want a chance to further their education. Addison also writes about how they allow everyone to attend so you can “just begin”. Community college is a great option for many students because it allows for an affordable option for students to continue their education.
Some of you go to college go to play a sport for that college, in which case you would go to a University. At the time of graduation you are usually around 17 to 19, at this point in your life you have to think if you are ready to move out of your parents house and be on your own, and many do, again you would choose a University. There are some of you who want to stay under mom and dad’s roof and just want to go to college to see what living by yourself is like, to see if you will like it. In this case you would choose a Community college. For some this can be one of the harder decisions to make. Another difference of a University and Community college is the size. Not just the size of the campus, but the size of the classes and workload that you will be facing. With a University you have a large campus with numerous class buildings and dorms. At a Community college you will usually have only one building and all that this building contains is classrooms for learning. Sizes of most University classes are over 30 of you to a class; sometimes that number can be as high as 100 students to a class. When you are a student at a Community college you are usually one out of twenty. The most you will probably find in a classroom of a Community college will be around thirty.
There are three main reasons why I agree Community College is the best choice. The cost of a Community college, and the cost of a University, to class sizes that could fit between 15-20 students, and the convenience that each school has for their students, and teachers. Although both, universities and community colleges serve the same purpose, the two are very different from each other. For instance, you might be an upcoming freshmen, and not sure whether in picking a 2- year college or a 4- year college. Choices could be, where you can pick a two- year college, but may not be able to experience a life you cannot have at a university. But, I can tell you this, if you are not prepared to leave home or you have no set goals in mind, then Community
Community Colleges tend to have fewer students per class, which means more attention from teacher to student. This is good for students who like access to their instructors so they can ask questions and avoid getting lost in the course material. Universities are bigger than community colleges and it takes a little longer to find your way around campus. Most teenagers graduate from high school eager to leave their parents house and do grown up things. The benefit of attending a University is living on campus instead of your parent’s home. Not all universities have dorms, but the majority of them do. Which you have to pay for parking, fitness center, laundry and other fees included. Both university and community colleges sponsor
Unlike community college, universities have a campus that extends over a very large area with many secondary buildings that have consists of classes. In respect to that, they also offer on-campus housing and dorms, which might be rare in the case of community colleges. Due to this reason most foreign students tend to enroll at four-year colleges. From dorm-living and hanging out on the quad, to school spirit and homecoming celebrations, four-year colleges give you the camaraderie of being in a university setting and a traditional collegiate experience that you just won’t find at a community college.
Attending a community college has several benefits such as the low tuition and book fees, smaller classes, and experienced teachers at an affordable cost. In this two year period students also have the time to mature and get serious about their career before they get into the four year institution
Community college classes focus on putting knowledge into practice. A community college usually has intimate learning environments which would help students. Teachers at these colleges usually are able to connect with students because of the smaller classes. It is so important to have small classes, as it helps the students adjust from high school into college and also gives them the opportunity to connect with the teachers. A community college can be easier to get accepted into, and it also gives one the opportunity to raise their GPA while attending. Community colleges cost a fraction of what a
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.
These colleges offer many good benefits such as open doors, allow for early enrollment, and help ease the financial burden of getting a degree. Jenkins wouldn’t necessarily say that community colleges are better overall in achieving an education or that it is the better choice for most students. Jenkins believes that, though many debates are going back and forth, community college is the only way to for some students to earn a
College today is not the college America previously knew, according to Rick Perlstein in Liz Addison’s “Two Years Are Better Than Four.” He believes that college is not as significant as it once was. Perlstein makes it sound like a showy reading list is all a student should need in order to be accepted into his or her school of choice. In the same essay, “Two Years Are Better Than Four,” the author, Liz Addison, states “[m]y guess, reading between the lines, is that Mr. Perlstein has never set foot in an American community college” (212). Addison considers the community college method “to be one of America’s uniquely great institutions” (214).
A four year college and a community college have a multitude of things in common, as well as many things that differentiate them from each other. These aspects of the college can determine the desire or the disinterest you present for that specific college. For example, four year colleges and community colleges serve the same purpose, they are different when it comes to the learning environment, admissions requirements as well as the convenience that the school provides to you.
Community colleges and four-year colleges differ in several ways such as; class size, cost, and social climate. A vital component to community colleges is small class sizes an advantage of a low student-to-teacher ratio.