Vice-President Biden has recently called community colleges the best-kept secret in America, at a White House Summit on community colleges. The traditional four-year college experience isn't for everyone. Or it could be that they aren't sure what they want to study or even that they are looking for a more affordable education.
An interesting fact found on students who attend community college is that about 60 percent of those who transfer to a four-year institution may earn a bachelor's degree within four years, according to new research from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Those who go away to a four-year university may still end up going to their local community college during their summer breaks. They may need to retake classes, take required classes for a cheaper price, or even take classes that just seem interesting to them. There could be many factors that go into why a student chooses a community college right after high school. Here are some of my reasonings as to why I decided to go on to attend Elgin Community College.
- I am debt free. While going to community college I lived at home, worked about 30 hours a week, and paid some of the small class fees. I was also able to save up money for the day I decide to transfer. Did you know that the average cost of attending a community college could range from $2,200 to about $7,700? Compared to the average in-state public college of $24,061 ranging to $47,831 for private colleges. Now I would believe every college student would want to have the smallest amount of debt.
- Before transferring to a four-year university, all the basic classes have to be completed. Therefore, I was forced to stay focused. All the tough classes you wanted to avoid or the classes you thought were boring had to be passed or you wouldn't be able to move onto the next class.
- Community college students are the most unique. Every student has their own story. Many work three different jobs and are full-time students, living completely on their own at the age of twenty. Others are students who became parents at a young age, and may have completed high school many years ago, but decided that enrolling at a local community college is what they need in life.
If you were successful at a community college for two years or came out with an Associates Degree, the transfer to a four-year university is going to be stress-free. If you weren't as successful in high school, had a low GPA, a low ACT score, or never took any Advanced Placement classes, your numbers won't even be considered by universities. Who wouldn't want to get a head-start at a community college?
