Consider a Technical or Community College

At age 17, Kyle Omphroy didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up.

“Senior year came around and my mom started asking where I wanted to go to school,” remembers Omphroy, a Penfield, N.Y. native.

Omphroy thought about joining the U.S. Marine Corp., but it was 2002 and the United States had just declared war on Afghanistan. Instead, he enrolled at nearby 2 year school, Monroe Community College (www.monroecc.edu), studying liberal arts with a concentration in advertising.

“I took three years of Adobe Photoshop in high school,” says Omphroy, 27. “I made witty slogans for ads and it interested me, so MCC was a easy way to try it out as a career.”

Omphroy is one of many students who choose to begin their college education at a two-year school. While their reasons vary, it’s largely due to financial savings and academic opportunities.

What’s 2+2?
While each program may vary from college to college, generally a 2+2 program is when a community college offers students the opportunity to complete two years of general education requirements. The community college would then offer transfer opportunities to four-year schools in the area or state, so students could complete a four-year degree. Some colleges may have different names for the program, so talk to your school counselors for the various options available to you locally. 

Why choose a 2+2 program?
When Anthony Miller, 34,  applied to colleges during high school, he was accepted to Ithaca College (www.ithaca.edu), St. Lawrence University (www.stlawu.edu) and Monroe Community College. Like Omphroy, he was undecided about his career path, but overall, he chose MCC for economic reasons.

“Liberal arts gave me a platform to dabble in different curriculums,” says Miller. “And as a college freshman living at home, I learned to be mature and responsible with money. I learned the value of a dollar.”

Most community colleges offer classes for a fraction of the price students would pay at a four-year college. Miller, who worked summers to pay off each fall semester, estimates that he saved $75,000 in loans, compared to his peers who spent four years at a private institution. For him, saving money was the greatest benefit of attending community college.

For Omphroy, the benefits of attending community college extended beyond pricing.

“Classes weren’t a piece of cake or anything, but (MCC) felt more familiar. I didn’t have to adjust to a new living environment and a new school,” he says. “After I knew what a college workload was like, I could move wherever and do whatever I needed to do.”

He also had the opportunity to take the Disney College program (www.dcp.disneycareers.com), which counted as an internship and still grabs the attention of resume-browsing employers to this day.

2+2 dual admission degree programs
While Omphroy and Miller customized their 2+2 year school programs to fit their interests, many community colleges and universities have partnered to offer dual admission for students wishing to split their studies.

This means one application and one application fee, often to the less expensive community college. Classes are also guaranteed to transfer and housing is often reserved at the four-year school.

Requirements for many 2+2 programs include high school averages and coursework, satisfactory GPA standing once in the program and frequent advisement sessions. Students participating in a 2+2 program should be in contact with transfer counselors at both the two-year and four-year schools. Issues like financial aid, transfer credits and on-campus housing can flow smoothly with open, persistent communication.

Drawbacks to a 2+2 program
After finishing his liberal arts degree at MCC in 1998, Miller transferred to the State University of New York College at Potsdam (www.potsdam.edu) for political science, where he found himself “split between two schools. I didn’t grow up with a class for four years and experience that journey.”

Omphroy, who transferred to Colombia College in Chicago (www.colum.edu), and now works as an assistant multimedia editor for Gannett Co. Inc., added that social media can fill those gaps.

“If I could have spent the whole four years with the people at Columbia, that would have been awesome,” he says. “But with Facebook, Twitter and e-mail, that’s not really a big deal.”

Other dual program options
In addition to community college agreements with four-year schools, there are online options for non-traditional students. This can be a viable choice for home-schooled students looking for a jump on college admission, stay-at-home moms or working adults returning to school.

For more about 2 + 2 programs, ask your high school guidance counselor or call the nearest community
college.

Leah Stacy, a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College (www.roberts.edu), is a freelance writer, photographer and arts publicist. By night, she moonlights at local theatres as an actor, director and instructor.

Even though you may be staying local for your first two years of college, it doesn’t mean you can’t experience the typical college life of living in dorms, having roommates and experiencing the independence you feel when you move away from home. 

When you think of top community colleges, you may picture a local institution packed with commuters. That’s a stereotype you should quickly put out of your head since it’s becoming increasingly common for community colleges to offer perks like on-campus housing for its students. 

On-campus housing is nothing new for Middle Georgia College (www.mgc.edu), which has housing that dates back about 100 years, says Jennifer Brannon, registrar and director of admissions at Middle Georgia College.

Now, many other top community colleges are catching on and offering housing for students who want a typical college experience without making the move to a four-year school.

“Four-year schools aren’t for everyone,” Brannon says. “(Our students) want that smaller, personalized community that they can find their place in.” 

These aren’t your typical dorms

In the last five years, Middle Georgia has built six dorms, which are apartment-style, including four bedrooms (or a two-bedroom option with one bath), two baths, shared living space and a kitchenette. Plus, two of the oldest dorms were renovated to be single, suite-style dorms.

At Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y., (www.monroecc.edu) more than 700 students are housed across four buildings, designed in suite style. Typically there are four-and five-person suites, with a shared kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, storage closet — all over 1,100 square feet. This new suite-style is more common in new development and students enjoy the privacy and spacious common areas. Plus, they’re packed with all the amenities a college student could ask for, from AC to wireless Internet and cable. The residence halls, like the ones at Jackson Community College (www.jccmi.edu) in South Central Michigan, also boast computer labs, laundry rooms and common spaces with comfy sofas, a fireplace and other fun perks like a pool table, air hockey and foosball. 

Shelitha Dickerson, director of Housing and Residence Life at Monroe Community College, says the on-campus housing also allows you to be more involved on campus. “Often times, what limits (student) involvement is their commute back and forth to campus, and having a program down the hall from where your room is, you’re more likely to get involved in what’s happening,” Dickerson says.

Living in the dorms comes with some requirements, though. Each school has their own eligibility standards, so be sure to check with the housing department. Despite the differences, one thing seems to be constant with all campus housing. You’re getting more than a room—you’re learning about life, responsibility and independence.

Life lessons

Living on campus helps develop leadership skills and creates more opportunities to be involved in the campus community. After all, the housing offers a community feeling, because you are surrounded by peers, professors and are near campus activities.

Mandy Huff, director of residence life at Jackson Community College, says when you live on campus you are getting to know people from different cultures and learning life lessons and new ways of interacting—that don’t involve mobile phones or computers. “A lot of our students don’t know how to confront others at all,” Huff says. “Conflict resolution is something we focus a lot on.”

And there’s always programming, organized by RAs and residence life staffers on topics such as budgeting, relationships, stress, spring cleaning and even cooking on a budget. “Hopefully we are preparing them to move forward to a bigger pond …” Huff says. “You need to make good decisions to move forward in life. All of those little things put together equal adult responsible living.”

What’s it going to cost me?

Every campus residence hall will have its own fee schedule and price tag. Here are just a few examples: At Middle Georgia the costs range from $1,900 per semester for a double room with a shared bathroom to $2,745 for an apartment style. Returning residents and new residents will pay $2,875 for a one-semester contract at JCC. Dickerson says the costs to live on MCC’s campus range from $3,250 for a single room per semester to $2,850 for a double room per semester (fall, spring, summer). 

Changing the landscape of community colleges

Cindy Allen, executive director of community relations at Jackson Community College, says they developed their first student housing residence about five years ago. And they did it because students said housing would be one way to offer a real college experience. Two years later a second phase was created.

“It’s added a lot to the campus experience,” Allen says. “We’re no longer considered a commuter college.” It’s attracting out-of-towners and students who want to move away from home but aren’t ready for that four-year school. Jackson Community College, a top community college serves a tri-county area; however, about 25 to 30 percent are from outside that area, Allen says. 

“Those students would not be coming here if we didn’t have housing,” she says. “It definitely changed the dynamics of what’s going on here on campus but in a good way.” 

Enid Arbelo Bryant is the Editor in Chief of NextStepU Magazine (www.NextStepU.com).

Community College

What is a community college?

Tuition cost has always been a selling point for community colleges. And these days, a competitive price is even more attractive to parents and college-bound students. But what does a bargain look like? What is a community college? And how much can a community college really save you?

From cheaper tuition cost to small class sizes and articulation agreements, community colleges offer many ways to save, says Norma Kent, senior vice president of communications and advancement for the American Association of Community Colleges. And many are catching on. In fact, enrollment at community colleges is up about 17 percent, from 2007 to 2009, Kent says.

You may ask, “if it’s cheaper am I still getting good value for my money?”

“I think community colleges do a really good job of responding to the marketplace. Students want to save money, but they still want the full college experience—residence halls, athletics, student clubs and activities,” says Heidi Marcin, director of marketing at Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu). “Community colleges are stepping up to meet these expectations. In that way, there may be more value.”

Plus, Kent says community colleges are accredited by the same agencies as other colleges. “Access is what we’re all about,” she says. “We strive very hard to keep our tuition and costs as low as we can.”

The price difference

What is a community college tuition cost?  Check this out: the average tuition cost and fees average $2,544 at public two-year colleges and $5,930 at public baccalaureate colleges. For private universities it’s $32,349, according to the College Board.

“The affordability factor has always been our central selling point,” says Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of marketing and communications at Genesee Community College (www.genesee.edu). Tuition isn’t the only selling point for community colleges, though. There are other aspects that make two-year schools a “better bang for your academic buck,” she says.

More personalized treatment

At Genesee Community College’s satellite campuses in Batavia, N.Y., there is only one lecture hall that seats 150 people and it’s used mostly for special events, Sutherland says. The rest of the classroom space throughout campus seats about 15 to 30 students.

“Community colleges tend to offer a good student to teacher ratio,” she said. “Classes are generally smaller.”

That’s one of the main reasons community colleges continue to remain the best value in education, says Bill Spiers, director of financial aid at Tallahassee Community College (www.tcc.edu). You will have more one-on-one interaction with professors, he says. Plus, classes will be taught by credentialed professionals, not graduate students working toward a degree.

“At a community college, students are front and center,” Sutherland says. “While we do have some research opportunity, what we focus on is student success.” Spiers adds that you also will be using the same resources, such as textbooks and online materials, used at a four-year or private school. The only difference, he says, is the personal attention to each student’s academic journey.

“We spend much more time with the individual student getting to know them and preparing them for the future,” Spiers says.You will save money in the long run because you will succeed academically and spend less time wondering about what classes you should be taking, he says.

Do your credits count?

When you finish your associate’s degree you can transfer to a state school or a private university. But will all of your credits transfer with you? Be sure you don’t waste time and money making up courses. One way to do that is to ask about articulation agreements, which are formal agreements that allow credits earned at community colleges to be accepted at another college or university. These agreements are very common between two and four-year schools. That’s why many four-year schools, especially state schools, look at community colleges as feeder colleges. So be sure to do your homework and research whether the community college you are attending has an articulation agreement with the school you plan to transfer to. If an agreement is in place, you are sure to save money because you won’t have to make up any course work that didn’t transfer.

Or save money by attending a community college course in the summer, while enrolled at a four-year school. Some community colleges will offer “mini-mesters” or fast track programs offered between semesters. You can receive the same coursework but for a fraction of the tuition cost and—if the community college is in your hometown—you can save by staying at home.

Attending a community college may not be for everyone, but it is a great option if you’re looking for more “bang for your academic buck,” Kent says. “A student just really needs to investigate and figure out what his or her objectives are.”

While many people may be under the impression that community colleges only offer standard liberal arts or science majors, the truth is there are plenty of unique, diverse programs out there! 

Sometimes finding your niche means exploring careers outside the box. It can be fun and exciting as you discover the interesting career options that stem from the most unexpected majors. Plus, not all of them require additional schooling. 

Check out these five associate’s degrees offered nationwide. 

Horse Training and Equine Business Management (2 year degree)

Who should consider this?: Students interested in the equine industry, specifically the business end. That includes people who enjoy taking a leadership role and aren’t afraid to be entrepreneurs.

What does this major include?: This program is designed to develop skills needed in order to succeed in the equine industry. Horsemanship skills are also studied to some degree, though the emphasis is placed on management and business-related classes. After initial courses, students complete their degrees by interning with a business of their choice, exposing them to an active role in business management.

Classes may include: Principles of Animal Science, Equine Behavior, Business Law, Business Operations, Personnel Management, Oral Communication and Agricultural MarketingSome career options: managers, horse trainers, and ranch owners

Check out: Lamar Community College (Colorado), Dodge City Community College (Kansas), Laramie County Community College (Wyoming), or Linn-Benton Community College (Oregon)

Electronics Technology 

Who should consider this?: Students interested in working with electronics, including the development and testing of the latest technology. This degree may also be a helpful foundation for specialization.

What does this major include?: This program provides students with a variety of academic and laboratory training, building the base for a career as an electronic technologist. Eventually, this may lead to a specialization or the ability to transfer to a four-year program in the field. Classes may include: Computer Fundamentals, Electronic Circuits, Telecommunications, Teamwork and Project ManagementSome career options: technicians, engineers, sound effects editors, and acoustics specialists 

Check out: Southeastern Community College (Iowa), Seattle Community College (Washington), or Wake Technical Community College (North Carolina)

Respiratory Therapy (2 year degree)

Who should consider this?: Students interested in working in the health care field. Students should have an interest in human biology, caring for others and medical environments. 

What does this major include?: This program prepares students for the skills needed for a profession in respiratory care. Students will cultivate the ability to evaluate, treat and manage patients with respiratory diseases and other cardiopulmonary disorders. Students also learn clinical decision-making, patient education and ethical treatment techniques. 

Classes may include: Anatomy and Physiology, Respiratory Pharmacology and Concepts in Critical Care. Some career options: working in hospitals or physicians offices, providing home care, and working in nursing facilities 

Check out: Kennebec Community College (Maine), Roane State Community College (Tennessee), Borough of Manhattan Community College (New York), or Moraine Valley Community College (Illinois) 

Deaf Studies (2 year degree)

Who should consider this?: Students interested in collaborating with the deaf community. Students should expect to become fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and/or sharpen their signing skills throughout the program.

What does this major include?: This program is designed to provide students with a diverse academic experience in ASL. Students are guided in developing an understanding of American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and the experience of the deaf community. 

Classes may include: Advanced American Sign Language, Deaf Literature/ASL Folklore, Introduction to the Interpreting Field, and Introduction to Deaf Culture. Some career options: working in group homes or sheltered workshops, moving on to four-year schools, becoming a deaf teacher and becoming an interpreter 

Check out: Northern Essex Community College (Massachusetts), North Hennepin Community College (Minnesota), Portland Community College (Oregon), or Community College of Baltimore County (Maryland)

Internet Services Technology — Web Development Specialist (2 year degree)

Who should consider this?: Students interested in working with the Internet for a profession, specifically on development. An interest in exploring the use of the Internet as well as sharpening knowledge of the mechanics of internet technology is necessary. 

What does this major include?: This program explores and utilizes standard industry software and equipment that will be necessary in the workplace. Students are exposed to techniques and training on a broad base of computer systems and Internet technology. 

Classes may include: Microcomputer Operations Systems, Database Concepts for Business, Programming in JavaScript and Web Page Authoring. 

Some career options: Internet/Intranet technicians, website developers or moving on to study masters programs 

Check out: St. Johns River Community College (Florida), or Coastline Community College (California)

What is community college

When my high school hosted an information session on Post-Secondary Education Option (PSEO), I jumped at the chance to get out of the boring 7 a.m.-to-2 p.m. routine and start taking classes that challenged me.

PSEO gives high school students an opportunity to take classes at a nearby college or community college for free, instead of taking high school classes.

I enrolled in the local community college my senior year of high school and took all of my classes there.

I loved the courses, professors and flexibility of my schedule. But I began to wonder if all my hard work would count when I went to college in the fall.

By November of my senior year, I had been accepted to Ohio University and picked a major. I contacted the admissions office at OU to make sure all of my credits transferred. I also asked them for information about the general education classes that I would be required to take.

By finding out what I should be taking, I was able to complete my core classes before transferring, instead of just arbitrarily choosing classes at the community college.

Finishing my general education classes a year ahead of time and having more credit hours than my peers gave me priority registration for classes at OU.

Overall, my transfer experience was seamless. There are some classes on my transcript that I took at the community college that don’t have equivalents at my new college, but the hours I earned still count toward my graduation.

What is community college worth?  Look into your high school’s partnership with a community college and you, too, might be able to skip right to the classes about your major.

Meghan Bender, a student at Ohio University, transferred from Lorain County Community College. She is majoring in broadcast journalism.

What are the benefits of starting at a community college?  What is a community college worth?

• Cheaper tuition than a four-year school.
• Good way to get a feel for college-level work.
• Transfer your credits to a four-year school.
• Priority registration with the more college credits you have.
• Fulfill both high school and college requirements.
• Figure out your major before transferring.
• Choose from more classes than available at high school.
• Take advantage of the libraries, clubs and study abroad opportunities.

Are you considering pursuing an associate degree after high school? Don’t let others’ stereotypes hold you back. Start searching for the best two-year program for you.

Myth: Students attend community college because they can’t get into a four-year university.

Truth: “This is true for some students; it is no longer true for the majority of students,” says Tom Proietti, professor of communications at Monroe Community College (monroecc.edu). The quality of education at two-year schools can be impressive, and Proietti says many are becoming “first-choice institutions.”

If you don’t want to attend a four-year college right out of high school, a community college is a good place to discover what you want to do.

“When starting off college, I think most kids are scared, unsure and confused as to what they exactly want to do with their entire life,” says Krista Nichiporuk, who earned an associate degree in 2006. “I just feel that taking the route of a community college can help college students really decide on what they will pursue without spending and wasting away money.”

“Plus, community colleges are affordable, sensible, flexible and place a great deal of emphasis on good teaching,” Proietti says. “And you won’t leave college with $75K in loans.”

Myth: The education and/or instructors are not high quality because community colleges are cheaper than four-year schools.

Truth: Proietti calls this myth “absolute garbage.”

“Our central focus is teaching. It is what we get ranked, evaluated and promoted on,” he says.

Myth: I can’t get a job with an associate degree.

Truth: “The main focus to getting a job is gaining experience, not necessarily the degree you have,” Nichiporuk says. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know!”

Myth: Four-year schools won’t accept my credits if I transfer.

Truth: When you decide that you want to transfer to a four-year college, meet with a transfer counselor at your community college to make sure the bachelor’s program will accept your completed credits.

Some community colleges offer a “2+2” program, which ensures that your credits count toward transferring to specific colleges.

Myth: I have to live at home if I attend a community college.

Truth: Where as this may have been the case in the past, it does not have to be the case anymore.

Many community colleges offer recently built dorms on campus. Renting an apartment with friends is another way out of the house.

Jessica Assimon is a junior magazine journalism major at Syracuse University who loves “The Office,” writing, going to concerts and rooting for her favorite basketball team, the Syracuse Orange.

Why Community College?

Still think community colleges are unimpressive or offer limited education opportunities? Think again!

Community colleges are becoming more innovative to mimic the amenities and programs offered at larger colleges and universities. Here are some of the ways community colleges across the country have evolved into full-fledged college communities.

Housing

Community colleges are known for being almost exclusively commuter campuses. But more are jumping on the residence hall bandwagon. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 303 community colleges currently offer on-campus housing.

Schools like Monroe Community College (monroecc.edu) and Edmonds Community College (edcc.edu) offer housing for local and out-of-town students.

“Clearly, increasing numbers of community colleges are establishing residential living options for their students or are investigating the possibility of doing so,” says Cynthia Cooper, assistant to the president for college and government relations at MCC.

Many of the new community college residence halls are just like apartments, complete with private bathrooms, separate bedrooms and even kitchens.

“We’ve recognized that a good bit of learning happens when students live away from home for the first time,” Cooper says.

Unique majors

Long gone are the days when community colleges offered just a few liberal arts majors. Many schools offer a large selection of programs easily transferable to similar programs at four-year colleges and universities.

Graphic design, nursing, criminal justice, biology—they’re all programs you can find at community colleges.

But how about studying something even more unique? Take Scottsdale Community College (scottsdalecc.edu) in Scottsdale, Ariz., for example. It offers a yoga teacher certification and a film school program. Interested in helping the world get greener? Northeast Community College (northeastcollege.com) in Norfolk, Neb., offers a degree in renewable fuels technology.

Many community colleges also offer different options for degree programs, such as honors programs for high-achieving students, online courses and hybrid programs that combine online and classroom settings.

No more magic meat

There has been a movement to improve college dining hall food, and those improvements have included many community college cafeterias.

Like many colleges across the nation, some community colleges have replaced their cafeterias with chain restaurants like Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts and Taco Bell. You can even find quaint coffee shops on campus.

Computer labs

At community colleges, you’ll find up-to-date technology, increased lab space and technical staff. Many campuses have also gone wireless, so you can bring your laptop with you outside, in the cafeteria or anywhere else you might want to work on campus.

Community college stereotypes

There are still students (maybe you’re one of them) who think community college isn’t “real” college. But these aren’t your parents’ community colleges. Community colleges have been desperately trying to erase the outdated stereotypes for years. And the improvements they’ve made should help change your mind.

“Old stereotypes are just that—old, and not applicable to today’s circumstances,” Cooper says. “Nobody thinks that the old paradigm of taking photos with film makes sense when digital photography now dominates the marketplace. Looking at community colleges with a lens that is 20 years out of date makes no sense either.”

If you’re thinking about why community college, research the innovations your local college has made to accommodate your needs.

“There is a reason why community college undergraduates are starting their college careers at a community college,” Cooper says. “I would encourage students to take the time to learn about their community college and decide for themselves whether it makes sense for them.”

What exactly is a community college?
“We define a community college as a regionally accredited two-year college that offers the associate degree as it primary credential,” says Norma Kent, vice president of communications for the American Association of Community Colleges in Washington, D.C. “We consider junior college, technical college and community college the same if they meet the previously stated criteria.”

Why should I consider a two year community college?
If you are not ready for a four-year college, would rather attend school closer to home or are looking for skills that will get you into the workforce soon, consider enrolling in a cormmunity college. A community college can offer you:

• Job training
Use a two year community college to get into fields such as health care, technician jobs, culinary arts, firefighting and more.

• Less-expensive education
Community college is also affordable—half of expensive as the tuition at your average public four-year school, according to figures from The College Board.

• Small classes
Smaller classes are also common in community colleges, which can help you get the extra academic push in the classroom.

• Help transferring
At a two year community college, you can also prepare to transfer to a four-year university. Ask your adviser about articulation agreements, which spell out the classes that will transfer to particular four-year schools.

“Research studies show that students who attend college and then transfer to a four-year university perform as well over time as students who start at university,” says Kent.

Technical Colleges

Do you have a specific skill or interest that you want to hone or nurture as expediently as possible? Do you want to receive a hands-on, interactive education in your field? Students who attend technical college receive comprehensive educations in two or four years that fully enable them to join the workforce in specific industries.

NSM: What kind of student does best at a technical college?
Dwight Cross, assistant dean of enrollment at Vermont Technical College: We look for a student with strong math and science skills and somebody who wants to get in and do applied lab courses and be hands on.

NSM: Average GPA needed?
Cross: We like to see an 85 average or higher, but there is a lot of give and take.

NSM: What is the admissions process like?
Cross: We have rolling admissions, except for nursing and dental hygiene, which have specific deadlines. We ask for SAT scores, high school transcripts and a strong math and science background. Letters of recommendation are preferred but not required. We accept 60 percent of applicants.

NSM: What is unique about technical colleges?
Cross: You end up right in the field, right off of your first semester. We have two-year and four-year programs. Students can study engineering technology, veterinary technology, fire science (firefighting), business (sales, marketing), automotives, construction, equine studies (horsemanship), agriculture, dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, architecture, computer engineering, software engineering, sustainable design, nursing and electrical and mechanical engineering.

There are some majors students have to do an internship for (veterinary technology, automotive, construction).

NSM: What do you recommend for students considering technical colleges?
Cross: Students should make sure they take a math and science [course] senior year. They should also do a job shadow. Most companies are more than happy to open up their doors and let a student come in and experience a job for a day or two.

Liz Funk is a college junior from New York. Her first book, Supergirls Speak Out: the Secret Dilemma of Overachieving Girls, will be published in January 2009 by Touchstone/Fireside. She edits the teen blog GirlHeadQuarters.org.

Community college degrees

Community colleges degrees offer something for everyone. But there are important facts you should know to maximize your opportunities there. Here are 10 ideas to think about if you’re considering a community college.

1.  Variety. Community colleges offer several options, such as transfer programs to four-year colleges, two-year community college degrees, and career and technical training programs in fields such as computer animation, nursing and cosmetology. Prepare for a job directly, or get a head start on general-education courses to transfer.

2.  Cost. Quite simply, community colleges are the most affordable way to begin a college education. Consider completing the first two years of college at a community college, then transferring to a four-year college in a “2+2” option.

3. Financial aid. Although the cost for tuition is relatively low, factor in the costs of books, living expenses, parking fees and car maintenance. File the FAFSA even if you think you can afford the college; you could be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs.

4.  Apply early. The community college application process is relatively simple. Still, you should apply early. Some community colleges do not charge an application fee or require SAT or ACT scores. You are eligible to apply if you’re a high school graduate, or at least 18 years old, or are 16 years old and have passed the state’s high school proficiency exam. Sometimes the date the application is submitted is linked to the date for enrolling in classes. An early application date often translates to an early enrollment date, which means you’re more likely to get into the classes you want at the times you want to take them.

5.  Prepare. Though no test scores are required for admission, you’ll likely take placement tests in English and math. These placement tests determine whether you begin your studies at the college or remedial level. If you’re not taking math your senior year, it is a good idea to get a test prep practice book. Students who do not test at college-level math or English will be forced to take remedial courses that will advance them to the college level. Remedial courses do not count for transfer, if that is your plan.

Taking a challenging curriculum in high school will make a difference in your placement level. Taking math and English courses throughout high school is critical. 

6.  Use the resources. All community colleges offer excellent support services, such as counseling, transfer centers, job placement, tutoring, computer labs, and in some cases, childcare. Most colleges offer classes that boost skills in studying, preparing for tests, selecting a major and managing your schedule.

7.  Manage your time. In planning your class schedule, consider how long it takes to drive to the campus in heavy traffic, or what the bus schedule is like at different times of the day. Think about selecting a class schedule that allows you to get involved in college life. College is about more than just taking classes.

8.  Check out the career center. Every community college has a career center that can help you select a major or get a job. Try to match your interests and goals with potential careers. The career center can help with assessments and inventories that will provide the best match between your skills and interests and college majors.

9.  Be proactive. This means going to a tutor before the class becomes difficult, or seeing a counselor to help plan next semester’s schedule.

10.  Community college is still college. Courses are designed to parallel the first two years of university study. If transfer is your goal, it’s a good idea to see a counselor to make sure you meet all the requirements and deadlines.

Dr. Esther B. Hugo is outreach coordinator at Santa Monica College.
 

Talk back: Would you consider a community college?
A: I would consider, but I don’t really want to go because I live in a small town and one thing I want is something different. I want to go to a big school, so I think I would only go to a community college if it was a step toward a bigger college. —Khristina Ruff is a senior at Copperas Cove High School in Copperas Cove, Texas

A: Yes, community college is a cheaper alternative. You basically receive the same education, if not better. —Latiffany Anderson is a student at St. John’s University from Rochester, N.Y.

A: I wouldn’t consider a community college because the college I want to go to, I want them to challenge me, and going to community college feels like it’ll be too easy. —Deanna Thompson is a student at Beaumont School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio

A: It is a really smart choice, money wise. —Sadie Stokes is a freshman at Liberty University from Fredericksburg, Va.