Get a trade certificate at a community college and go out and make more $ than many 4 year programs.
Ditto, ditto for all my kids.
Not all of us could afford to attend a four year college directly after high school so I went to a junior college even though I had good grades in HS. I had to pay for college myself and not once did anyone offer to pay anything towards my education. Working two part-time jobs while going to school full-time, buying used books, and scrimping and saving at every opportunity led to a bachelors degree in four years. It was a character builder for sure but I only did what I had to do.
My wife and daughter are CC grads. My best friends in high school went to CC. They all went on to attend high level 4 year colleges. All but one of them have masters degrees.
None of them had college debt.
It’s possible to do very well. But…they all worked their butts off—in school and out.
Lillian Diaz can’t be too bright. Community college is “less expensive” for students only because it’s MORE expensive for TAXPAYERS. CC’s are heavily subsidized, in order to lower tuition costs. Ms. Diaz will eventually end up paying for it - in the form of higher taxes. Esp. for her professors’ massive unending pensions come their retirements.
Community College was great! Wonderful teachers when I was there in the late 70s, with the same ones being at the community college when my husband graduated from there eight years ago. Doubtful the faculty is as good because the school uses so many adjunct professors now.
Transferring credits to the university was not a problem, but adjusting to dorm life as an older, transfer student was tough.
Ditto’s.
I did my first two years of my accounting degree at a community college. The business professors at the community college were all actively working in their respective fields, attorney, CPA, etc. I learned more practical stuff that had more lasting value from them than I did from the 4 year college.
Community College is the best deal education and financial wise, whether getting a technical degree/certificate or to taking gen eds. There is absolutely nothing that a student can learn in their first 2 years at a non-community college that they can’t get at a community college.
Many people go to CC first and then transfer to a 4-year college. It’s always been that way.
I am a community college president. Community colleges are a great economic value as many community colleges waive the fees or subsidize the tuition through local scholarships.
My granddaughter attended two years of cc then with straight A’s was admitted to UGA Business School and two years later finished in top 2% of the graduating class. Now works on line in Wall Street.
The two years in CC was all parents could afford then UGA scholarship helped a great deal.
I and 2 of my siblings went to community college then transferred to a university to finish out our bachelor’s degrees. There was absolutely ZERO stigma about us going to community college whatsoever. The best thing about it was that it was so cheap that I could spend an additional year on elective courses like extra history and art classes. In fact, my brother now teaches at the community college we both went to, so that probably worked in his favor.
Community college worked well for my 3 homeschoolers.
Two went on to finish B.S. degrees in mathematics at the age of 18. One earned a masters in mathematics by 20. The other was a nationally and internationally ranked athlete. He finished a masters in accounting in his early twenties.
Many homeschoolers use their local community colleges as a transition from home and a 4 year college.
The only time I would disagree is if you are planning on being a physician or a vet. I found some of the engineering students started a little behind because the differential equation class was not as rigorous as the four year university.
It was a cheap option for getting the basic classes out of the way, you could save some money to help pay for the last two years, you were not supporting the huge overhead of the four year institution, and it gave you a couple of years to mature before leaving home. Many kids weren’t ready for the freedom. Also, the first two years had most of the SJW teachers so why spend big money for that?
It was not as impressive in the HS graduation parties but HS is the last place you are forced to go to and I never understood many people’s focus on their high school days.
Go to a community college with low tuition rates whom credits are accepted at a good university in your state. The first two years of University are exactly the same as at a major university. It is just the basics. Live at home on the cheap. Then go to a major university in your state to complete your degree.
Community colleges usually have programs that are accredited and designed to fully transfer to a 4-year university program. Transferees receive the same Bachelor’s degree as those who attended the university all 4 years.
Along with the significant cost savings, those attending a community college for the first 2 years will benefit from smaller class sizes (as opposed to filled lecture halls) and direct access to the instructors (vs teaching assistants).
Community college is a great stepping stone for many.
But the stigma comes from the average CC student functioning below the already-sorry level of students at four-year colleges. Therefore the classes tend to be “dumbed down” and grading is easier.
It makes sense for certain employers and graduate programs to take that into account.
I had to go JC because my 1.something HS GPA was never going to get me into a four-year university. But after getting my academic act together and getting an AA degree I was able to transition into a four-year university and get my bachelor’s degree.
My daughter went to CC after posting low SAT and having application to 4 yr college rejected. She reapplied after 2 yrs at CC to same 4 yr college and graduated cum laude. She went straight to grad school earning a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She now has a financially thriving private practice. She is a testament to the worth of CC.
Works fine to go two years at junior college.
But I do think chemistry and physics are better at a university.