Community or University

So, you have decided to go to college.  Whether you are continuing your education or returning to school, I think that asking yourself if you should attend community college or university is an important question.  I have attended both systems and find benefits to each.  Of course, if your goals are more suited to one or the other then it might be a rather simple decision, but for those of you who aren't sure, here are some things to consider.

Community College:
- less expensive, even less if you live within the community in which the college is located
- scholarships and grants available and sometimes there is less competition for them, and they are easier to apply for
- more emphasis on teaching from your professors
- more flexibility in scheduling, more classes offered in the evenings
- less of the "college feel" not as much emphasis on social factors like clubs, but they do exist
- smaller classes, more personalized assistance from professors
- no housing on campus
- no research opportunities with professors in most cases
- excellent job placement services and opportunities

You might consider community college a good option for the long or short term if you fall into one of the following categories.  If you had difficulty in high school, or haven't attended school in many years, and even if you found it so easy that you never studied and still passed your classes.  The bottom line in these situations is....how are your study skills?  The community college environment offers a college level education with more assistance from your professors, sort of like an advanced high school class.  It can be a real shock to some students entering college that so much is expected of them, and often if you are unprepared for this it can be discouraging to the point of giving up.  There is no shame, nor any harm to your academic record for attending community college, no matter what your long term goals may be. 

If you are unsure of your degree path, this can also be a great way to experiment with different subjects of interest at lower costs and with less risk of academic failure should you get in over your head.  In addition, this can also be a way to take required classes (check to make sure they are transfer equivalents first) that are often twice as difficult at the university level (natural sciences, foreign languages, etc), maybe you did alright in these topics in high school, but don't be overconfident.  Many students find the foreign language requirements at the university level to be overwhelming, even if they have had 2 or 3 years of that same language in high school.  This can really compromise your GPA, so consider the alternative of community college for these classes if you are at all unsure.

On the other hand, you may know exactly where you want to go and what you want to do, but may not get into the program of your dreams.  Community college is an excellent way to create a new opportunity for successful application to such a program. 

Finally, there might be financial constraints that prevent you from attending university right away.  I would encourage application to both systems though, you might find unexpected financial aid at the university of your choice that makes this possible.  If not, then community college is a great way to make yourself more appealing to a university and eligible for transfer scholarships or other funds which vary from school to school.  The key is to determine what you need to do to qualify and then accomplish that during your semester or year of community college. 

There are many other situations, to be sure, but these are some thoughts from my own experiences for your consideration.  Make no mistake, I am not trying to discourage attending university, rather I am encouraging you to be successful and make a thoughtful choice.  College is a long term commitment that doesn't just last four (or more) years that it takes to complete, but for most it is a set of choices that lasts a lifetime.

Going to College

I am currently going back to school to achieve my first undergraduate degree.  I waited to do this and though I have been very fortunate to have two very good careers prior to going to college, I don't recommend taking this route.  In hindsight, I realize how much college would have benefited me in life and just how much energy is required if one is to really get anything useful from an education.  Granted, being an "unconventional" student has it's advantages.  First of all, this is not my first time away from home and so the temptations that befall younger students do not apply; Second, I am doing this of my own choice not by parental force so my devotion is higher than some that might be in that situation; Lastly, I know what it is like to work in a career and I know specifically what it is like for me so I am better equipped to examine my choices and make a truly educated decision about the route I choose to take.  So, why would I do this differently if there are so many advantages to going to college later in life???  Well, some of the experience that helps me to make educated decisions also hinders me from taking a leap, if you will.  I have also found so many other benefits for myself in terms of my own issues with things like discipline and other personal challenges that I know would have served me well in years past had I been forced to deal with these things at an earlier age.  I think that maybe a happy medium could be achieved by allowing young people the opportunity to work in internships or co-op type positions for a few years after high school before going to university.  So many students I encounter chose a path based on money or family connection and find in their senior year during their first co-op that they HATE the work itself, but they feel stuck.  Many of my friends went the conventional route of college straight out of school and have always hated their careers.  I say work for a while, not too long, and then go to college.  In point of fact, at age 18 your frontal lobe hasn't even developed completely, and by the way, this is the part of the brain used for things like memory, judgment, problem solving, and impulse control!

Main Points:
1.  Go to work for a while and see what it's like before going to college.
2.  Do a co-op or internship early in your education.
3.  Do your research about the career you are interested in, Google is your friend :-)
4.  Shadow someone who is in your career of choice, or at least interview them about their job.
5.  Try on some different hats, you might be very surprised to find out who you really are and what you really like after all.