Paths to Education: A Comparative Analysis

Choosing a college means going to a new, unfamiliar world of immense possibilities. One of the hardest decisions a high school graduate face is the choice between attending a Community College or a University. Although Universities and Community College serve the same purpose, each has its differences and similarities in their learning such as the admission requirements, expenses, size, and student life. Community College are the most common type of two-year College that prepares you to continue your education, are often an affordable and convenient option. Universities you can earn Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees which is more expensive. At a University, you can

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

The college or university is referred to as the post-secondary undergraduate educational system in the United States. After students complete their high school they tend to complete their post-secondary education through the desired college, regardless of whether the specific institution was formally a college or a university. Some prefer dual-enroll that is taking college-level classes whilst still in high school.

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 colleges in the United States develop rapidly and have become a vital component of the postsecondary education delivery system. As of 2011-2012 school year, 45% of all undergraduate students were enrolled in public two-year colleges, approximately 8.3 million students (Knapp et al., 2012. Cited by AACC Fast Facts). And it seems that with globalization and Obama’s education agenda, the trend of growing enrollment in community colleges won’t change. A high school graduate who decides to pursue postsecondary education may face with a dilemma--whether enroll in a community college or a traditional four-year college. Even within a community college, a student may be faced with a choice—enroll in a vocational program and enter workforce after graduation with a vocational certification, or choose an academic program with an intention of transferring to four-year institutions.

After twelve years of school, where will you go next? Many of you have developed the ambition to prolong your education and attend college. Today, there are many more options than there were in the past. One does not have to graduate high school and go straight to a four year university. It is sometimes better for a student to go to a community college and focus on transfer courses or simply get an Associate’s Degree. On the other hand, there are young adults that prefer to leap straight into a university and focus on the specific program for their Bachelor’s Degree.

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

In college the amount of classes and the time you have to go for is different from

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.

Many believe that students should pursue a four-year education or nothing at all, but for some, a two-year education is also suitable. Liz Addison insists that community colleges should be seen as a viable option following high school. Community college acts as a stepping stone for students to get more out of their schooling and work experience. If a student chooses to, enter a two-year college first, they are often better prepared for a four-year college Addison claims. Attending a community college before a liberal arts college allows a student to take, for example, their first college-level English class and psychology class, growing more with every course to prepare them for further education. The community colleges “offer a network of affordable future, of accessible hope, and an option to dream,” Addison asserts. This option gives the students who are unsure of what they want a chance to receive some sort of college education and find what interests them. Furthermore, it gives students who otherwise would not be able to afford a higher education to still attend school post high school.

After people graduate high school the next step is college, but which type of college is the better choice. Either a community college or a four-year college. That’s a personal question depending on several factors such as financial status, major of interest, job placement, and demographics. After that’s all figured out, then comes the important step of applying to the college. Having further knowledge on the differences between a community college, and a four-year college may help a student understand what’s the next step.

As graduate school has started I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what has led me to pursue my masters in Higher Education. As I have reflected I’ve noticed that although there were major instances that immediately standout to me as having peaked my interest in higher education, it was also the small, seemingly ordinary instances that affected my journey.

One of the most talked about topics as a high school student is attending college and how to properly prepare yourself for your entry into higher education. When I was a senior in high school, I had many alternative routes to think of instead of going to college. I could have joined the military with a few of my friends, went to a technical institute to do more hands on activities, or I could’ve taken the traditional route and went to college to further my education. As school was finishing up and it was time to graduate I realized I waited too long to apply to most of the universities I desired to attend. As a result, my only choice left was going to a two year community college.

When the student does not have the grades or test scores in high school and cannot afford the four-year university, a community college is the best way to start. The essay “Two Years Are Better Than Four” Liz Addison argues that a dependable higher education can be achieved by anyone at a community college. She writes, “Just begin. Implicit in this belief is understanding that