Congratulations! It’s that time of year again when many high school seniors are getting college acceptance letters. Getting your acceptance letter compared to receiving the almost-always disappointing financial aid letter are two completely different parts of the college process. As senior year of high school begins to end, you're expected to know exactly what college you're going to attend and what your major will be. However, choosing a school isn't as easy as expected, it comes with the commitment of having to owe anywhere from a $1,000 to $300,000 in debt depending what school you pick. As naive juniors and seniors looking at colleges while thinking we know all the answers in the world, we tend to drool over and fantasize about going to the best of the best schools. Choosing the big well-known colleges comes with a hefty price that you may not worry about at first. But soon comes the point where you actually have to sign and commit to paying the loans plus interest once you're done with the four years of education. I know it's not exactly what you want to do when choosing a school but you have to consider aspects such as cost, financial aid, location, majors offered, etc.
To all of you high school seniors stuck between going the expensive route or the less expensive school, I know how you feel. Starting Junior year of high school I set my heart on Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. However, the steep price to go there wasn't ideal. This was my dream school and it was an accelerated program, but I didn't want to commit to almost $200,000 in debt by the end of three years. For some people, they are okay with paying that insane amount, reasoning that you pay that price for a good education and for being in the city.
I know I felt as if I didn't have options if I couldn't afford to go to my dream school, but looking back on it now I realize I do have options. Whether you go to a four-year university or just a community college for two years, that shouldn't matter. I know a lot of people are completely against the idea of community college — I was once one of those people. But I've learned through this year that all that matters is you get an education somewhere and you graduate and are able to get a job in your desired work field. It may have seemed like a big deal announcing in your senior year of high school where you were planning to attend college, but where you go to school won't matter years from now.
Like everything in life, there are pros and cons for both community colleges and four-year colleges. Community college is great for degrees that a bachelor degree isn't necessary for, such as my degree, medical imaging. But for people whose major requires a four-year degree, you have the opportunity to save money the first two years and then transfer the last two years. The cost of community college is extremely low compared to private and even state colleges. If you're financially tied, then community college is the perfect opportunity for you to get a quality education for a reasonable price. College life isn't for everyone, that's where community college comes in handy. Yeah sure, going to a four-year college comes with the freedom and opportunity to experience dorm life. I'm sure we were all beyond ecstatic to move into our dorms and decorate how we wanted. But some of us such as me realize dorm life just isn't for them. Everyone is different, people enjoy their college choices for all kinds of reasons. You have to consider all the factors and pick what's best for you, not what you think everyone else is doing. Don't count out the idea of community college because of the stigma that goes along with it. Overall, you have to pick the place you'll succeed the most and be the happiest. Whether that's at a community college or a four-year college, stand tall and be proud of your decision.
