The Benefits Of Community College

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.

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.

Therefore, students begin dreaming of college; where they will attend and what they will become when they grow up. Unfortunately, the absurd college and university tuition hikes have forced many prospective college bound students to shift gears on their journey to receiving a college degree. One of the modifications made to the dreams of many, is college selection. Thousands of students have opted to start their college careers at a community college. Community colleges are designed to serve as a pathway from high school to college and most offer two-year transfer or university parallel programs that prepare students wishing to earn a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution. Community Colleges are generally more cost efficient therefore, grant access to many more students desiring a higher education. CNN Money journalist, Kim Clark reports that, “While community college tuition posted a sharp 8.7% gain, it's still a bargain: only about $3,000 a year for full-time tuition” (Clark). Clark also suggests that due to recent increases in federal grants and tax benefits, the average total aid was raised above the average tuition price of community colleges, therefore, “the typical community college student got the cost of tuition and most textbooks fully covered” (Clark). According to the College Board, “four out of 10 graduating high school students begin their college careers at community colleges” (Why Community College?). Typically, courses that are

Community college is an ideal sources for obtaining higher education for many reasons. First, local community colleges provide an affordable alternative to large public and private universities (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). In addition to serving as a gateway for economically disadvantaged students, local community colleges serve as a gateway for less academically qualified students (Grimes, Rezek, Campbell, 2013). Many students who are unable to attend highly selective colleges can attend community colleges, obtain a degree and/or transfer to a school that offers or more diverse degree programs (J. Doe, personal communication, November 11, 2015).

Kris, a wife and a mother, worries about the increasing cost of higher education. She and her husband have a two year old daughter whom they are determined to send to college. They want their daughter to succeed in life, but they have to weigh the complications of going to college as well. “I have always thought about college as a “catch 22”...You’re taught from a young age that in order to achieve the “American Dream” you must graduate high school and go to college,” Kris contemplates (Kris 5).Throughout Kris’s ten years of experience with college, she has seen the tuition increase to shocking heights. In fact, she claims that community colleges cost as much as state colleges did when she first started her college hunt. Back then, she

There isn't anything more important to community colleges than the certainty that they can and should provide all qualified people who are looking to be accepted with admittance (Vaughan). The people of the community college represent forty-four percent of all undergraduates and forty-nine percent of students attending college for the first time (David). These students include a lot of minority students, students with a low social standing and the non-standard (age twenty-five and older) student who commonly enters college less academically equipped (David). Most community colleges have made immense advancement in reducing a lot of geographical and economic blockades that have in the past limited college admittance (David). Community

Choosing the best route can be hard to do especially just three months after graduating from high school. Students have many options that they can choose from and sometimes decide on an option that doesn’t offer the best of benefits for them. A lot of times, the student is tired of school and does not want to commit to another 4 years of education for multiple reasons. Even the students that do go on and further their education after high school, do not get enough training or experience at the time for the jobs they may want down the road and may wish to go back and get more of the training they do need when that time comes. Community Colleges can provide students with an affordable, 21st century education focused on entering the workforce.

Students beginning their higher education at a community college have a breadth of accessible opportunities at their fingertips. Community college is a smart option for persons seeking a quality education at a lower price, it is an invaluable stepping stone to attending a 4 year university, and it provides an occasion to interact with people from diverse cultures. Advice I would give a community college student planning to transfer to a four year university is to use their time wisely and take the community college experience seriously. Use this beneficial stage between high school and a four year university to learn how to manage time, complete and turn in assignments by deadlines, work diligently to follow teachers’ instructions, and strive

When I thought about my future and where I 'll be going, I thought I would be attending a university like all of my friends in high-school. I never thought I would be attending a community college. I really hated the idea of community college. I thought it was for people who had low ACT score or people who didn 't really try as hard as others in school. I always tried hard in school even when things got hard I still tried my best. I never thought it would be for me until I saw the benefits of attending a community college. I attend a two year college because I felt like I had a better opportunity to talk to my professor , also to better myself improving my knowledge by stepping out of my comfort zone.

Community college is a great institution for students to start their educational journey. Especially when they do not have the funds or lack some of the prerequisite that a university would require. Community college was created to serve the community, traditional and non-traditional students with the best higher education and lifetime learning opportunities. The faculty and staff members at a community college is there to provide leadership in education while going above and beyond to recognize the needs of the students and the community by providing excellent educational programs and support services that are available to all who have the opportunity to take advantage of them. “Student services now include recruitment and retention, counseling, student activities, student health, financial aid, academic support, career centers, transfer centers, and supplemental services such as transportation, child care, and services tailored for specific populations of students” (Cohen, Brawer, & Krisker, 2014, pg. 209). My philosophy in fulfilling the role and mission of the community college, is to establish the mission, vision, goals and values to guide all students on their journey to strive to become successful both in school and in today’s economy.

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

According to Jenkins and Fink, the writers for the Community College Research Center, an average of 38% of community colleges students transfer to a 4 year college and 42% of the students complete a bachelor’s degree within the next 6 years. Going to a community college is very beneficial and affordable to children with high or low income. While I am taking Economics my teacher broke down the concepts and benefits of going to a community college versus a university. For example, going to Moraine Valley Community College is about $3,570 a year for their tuition, while the University of Illinois is around $15,686 in tution. If you go to Moraine Valley Community College for 2 years you will only be paying about $7,140 versus going to the University of Illinois for 2 years and paying $31,372 Your saving $24,232 dollars if you go to a 2 year college versus going the whole 4 years. If people are struggling financially this can be a financial advantage. Some junior colleges cost less than two-thousand dollars each semester for students who attend full time and it gives students some time to prepare for a 4 year university if they plan on taking their education further. Going to a community college helps students to set goals and aspects for their future career they want to pursue to transfer to a university. So why doesn’t Joliet West counselors promote the idea of going to a community college?

The current annual price for community college is $3,430 (Tugend, 2016). Compare that to fifty years ago. Students, as long as they got accepted, could go to Harvard University for $2,370 (Berry, 2010). Fifty years ago, you could go to Harvard for $1,000 less than you can go to a community college today. To combat the rise in prices, several states have started to implement solutions to solve this issue. Kentucky, Minnesota, Oregon and Tennessee already mandate free or near-free community college tuition to eligible high school graduates; eleven other states have similar bills pending, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (Tugend, 2016). At these schools, the responsible high school students that do not have a lot of money can attend community college for little to no cost to them. While some states have already started changing their prices to suit the normal student, there are still several states that have yet to do so. One way to reduce prices would be to redesign the remedial class system and make it more cost efficient.

Studying at a community college can be very convenient for most people. Some people find it easy to take courses at a community college because it’s cheaper, class sizes are smaller, and teachers are very friendly. However, from my experience at a community college there is one particular thing I would take in consideration in changing, and that is adding more servers to the wifi. Reasoning being, it would eliminate data over charges on electrionics, and also the capability for students to not have assignment past due.

In every nation, education has an important influence on the improvement of its economy and politics. For the United States of American, community college becomes one of the main factors to determine how the country moves forward. Using table 101.20 from Digest of Education Statistics of the National center for Education Statistics, from 2000 to 2014, the increase in college enrollment has been contributed by increases in the traditional college-age population and rising enrollment rates. But increasing costs of tuition and different expenses each year have become huge obstacles for students to focus and maintain their education status and achievements. This issue brings up the controversy about whether community college education should