Is a Community College Right for You?

There are some cases in which four-year residential colleges aren't the best choice for everyone. Here are some reasons why community college is sometimes the better option. Before making a final decision, make sure that you are aware of the possible hidden costs of community college.

Money
Community college costs just a fraction of the total price tag for public or private four-year residential colleges. If you’re short on cash and don’t have the test scores to receive a merit scholarship, community college can save you thousands of dollars. But don’t make your decision based entirely on money, many four-year colleges offer excellent financial aid for those with serious need. If is best to see financial aid exists before writing the possibility of a four-year college completely.

Weak Grades or Test Scores
If you don’t have the GPA or test scores to get into a decent four-year college don’t stress. Community colleges are open-admissions and you can use community college grades to build your academic skills and prove that you can be a serious student. If you then transfer to a four-year school, the transfer admissions office will consider your college grades much more than your high school record.

Work or Family Obligations
Most community colleges have flexibility and offer weekend and evening courses so you can take classes while juggling other obligations in your life. Four-year colleges rarely offer this type of flexibility--classes meet throughout the day and college needs to be your full-time employment and commitment.

Your Career Choice Doesn’t Require a Bachelor’s Degree
Community colleges offer many certification and associate degree programs that you won’t find at four-year schools. Many technology and service careers do not require a four-year degree and the type of specialized training you need is available to you only at a community college.

You’re Unsure About Going to College

A lot of high school students have a sense that they should go to college, but they aren’t sure why and aren’t really interested in attending school. If this describes you, community college can be a good alternative option. You can try out some college-level courses without committing years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars to see if it is the right path for you.

When Does A College Transfer Make Sense?

It is estimated that about 30% of college students will decide to transfer to a different school at some point in their college careers. Too often students switch schools for the wrong reasons and find that the grass is not always greener after the move. Here are a few situations in which a college transfer makes sense.

Financial Necessity
Some students simply feel that they can’t afford to stay at their current college. If you're feeling money pressures, be sure to talk to a financial aid officer or your family before deciding on making a transfer. The long-term rewards of a quality degree might outweigh short-term financial inconvenience. Also, realize that a transfer to a less expensive school may not actually save you money in the long run.

Up for the Challenge
If you are not feeling challenged enough at your current school, or you have you earned such high grades that you think you can win admission to a significantly better school, than transfer might be a good idea. A more prestigious college may be able to offer better educational and career opportunities. Remember, however, that being the star of the class at lower-ranked school can also have its own rewards.

Specialized Major
If you discover in your first few years of college that you want to be a zoologist, you might want to transfer to a school that specializes in animals. Similarly, if nothing will suit you but a career as an astrologist, you should transfer to one of the few schools in the country that offers such specialized training.

Family Obligations
In some cases, family has to take priority over school. If you need to be close to home because of a sick family member, transferring to a different school closer to home might make sense. Try to talk to your Dean first--a leave of absence is sometimes a much better solution.

Social Situation
Sometimes the culture at a college turns out to be the opposite of what you wanted. Maybe the seven-day-a-week party scene isn’t for you, or perhaps the opposite is true and you’d like a more active social life. College isn’t just about the academics, so in some cases like these, a transfer might make sense. Don’t jump too quickly though--make sure that the social group that you’re looking for doesn’t exist at your current school and try a change of friends first before a change of school.

How to Pick the Right College for You

When first choosing a college, you need to divide your college choices into three categories: top-choice schools or those that are most difficult to get into, your second choice schools or ones that you have a reasonable chance of getting into and that you would be excited to attend, and finally your "safety colleges”, those schools that you will definitely get into. It is a good idea to try having 2 or 3 colleges that fit into each of the different categories.

The next step is to narrow down the college choices by doing some research. Talk to counselors, teachers, family friends and even your parents--these people will be full of friendly advice and, since they know you, they may have specific reasons for recommending a certain college to you.

When you think about schools, you need to consider what you really want in an education. A pre-professional education prepares you for a specific job and includes areas such as engineering and pre-med. Some schools like M.I.T. have very strong programs for those interested in the sciences, but might not be right for someone interested in literature. A liberal arts education, on the other hand, aims to equip you with general knowledge and reasoning skills suitable for many jobs.

You also want to ask how the college ranks in the major you want to study--some schools are stronger in some areas and weaker in others. While it may be too early for you to know whether you want to major in English or history, check out how strong the programs and professors are in the various fields you are considering. One indication of how much emphasis a university places on a major is to find out how many students are studying that major, how many courses are offered in the field and how many faculty members teach the courses associated with that major and others like it. If you want a major in a narrow field, you might have to consider a larger university.

As you explore colleges, you'll discover that some factors are not as important to you as others. Ultimately, you want to pick schools that meet your needs. As you do your research, keep in mind that your college education is one of the most important investments you will ever make in your future and it's worth spending the time to make sure that you make the right decision.

Going Away to School vs. Staying at Home

Should I go or should I stay? The dilemma on whether to go away for college or whether to stay locally can be a tough one for some. It’s a big decision that can determine the rest of your life, so here are the benefits of both to help you make the decision just a bit easier (or harder!).

STAYING HOME
One of the biggest benefits of staying home is the convenience--it can be helpful to be able to continue to live at home, rent-free and to not worry about moving your entire life to a dormitory in a new city.  This is quite beneficial if you’re looking to save some money.

Another bonus of staying home is that you get to stay close to friends (at least the ones that also chose to stay) and family.  You already know the area, and if you have friends who haven't gone to college, it's also easier to keep in touch with them.

One of the downfalls of living at home, however, is the possibility of missing out on the “campus experience”. Most colleges have societies and other events going on, and if you're going home every day, it takes a lot more conscious effort on your part to get involved with them. Also depending on how far away the college is from where you live, you can spend a lot of time and money travelling to and from college every day.

GOING AWAY
Leaving home and starting over in a new city is an adventure—new city, new place to live, new friends, new people! Starting over makes you gain a greater sense of independence and is great practice for when you finish college and want to move out. Your friends and family will still be around, and are most often just a phone call or email away, but going away to college helps you test your own ability to make it in the world.

If you go away to college, you will also have a lot of experiences that you probably won't have if you stay at home. There is generally a real feeling of community at colleges, because you're all in the same situation together. It's a great opportunity to try out hobbies and join clubs that you've always wanted to try. No matter how excited you are about going away to college, you will get homesick--everyone does. It may not be in the first week, it may not be in the first month, but there will always be a point when you want to see your family or friends. It is important to know that there will always be someone feeling the same way, and there will always be someone who can listen to you and help you.

The final decision is ultimately yours, and whatever decision you choose, it is important to make the best of it and have fun--after all, these are the best years of your life.

Compare College Programs

The popularity of many colleges and universities comes from the programs that they offer. Some schools are known for engineering, information technology, or art. Students who know what fields interest them may choose an institution based upon individual programs. Other students may prefer to select a major program after their first year.

It is important for families to compare specific programs. This comparison can help them when it comes to the cost of an education. It is also a tool when it comes to the benefits of a degree program. You can best compare programs by doing a bit of research. Knowing what a school offers is a critical part of your selection.

Look at Majors

Students who already know the major that they are interested in are in a good position. They can select institutions that offer that major. Another thing to consider here are the focuses that are offered. Education is one example of degree programs that may vary depending on the school. Accounting and management are two other diverse programs to pursue. Comparing programs will help you to discover which may be the best fit for you.

Undergraduate and Graduate Offerings

Some families will be looking towards the future when they choose their institution. This means not only the near future, but the distant one as well. They will want to compare undergraduate programs and graduate ones. There are schools that have a vast array of undergraduate programs, but limited offerings for graduate students. This could possibly factor into your overall choice of school.

Cost of Your Degree

Another factor to consider when comparing programs is the cost of each. Some of the most popular institutions are also known for their cost. There are other schools that are much less expensive. Those that offer you great programs at a reasonable cost may be the better choice. Families use this information in order to determine how they can approach higher education expenses.

There are a lot of important factors to consider when you choose a college. The programs that a school offers can help students to prepare for the future. Individual schools will also provide you with the success rates related to their programs. This information can be quite persuasive to potential families.