Are community colleges really that bad?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>I really don't understand why everyone describes community college as being so awful.</p>

<p>After doing a little research, I found out that going to CC for my first two years of college was the logical choice to make because of its lower cost and second chance to attend a university of a higher caliber than that of one available to me straight out of high school. I don't feel the least bit ashamed of this decision.</p>

<p>Whenever I tell my friends I plan on going to community college after high school they assume I just wasn't good enough to go to a four year university. That really bugs me. I have a 3.4 UW GPA (3.7 W), which, admittedly, isn't fantastic, but doesn't make me some sort of low-life loser with inferior academic ability to all the kids who went to a four year.</p>

<p>Besides, I can't imagine community college being as bad as people say it is. Bad teachers, stupid kids, gross campuses, etc. That has to be just an exaggeration.</p>

<p>Sorry, this was sort of a rant. Do you have any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>You’re the one who will likely graduate from a more prestigious university. Plus, less debt! Can’t argue with that!</p>

3

<p>“Community college is just high school with ashtrays.” </p>

<p>While most people try to argue that CC is inferior, I have to disagree with them. I agree with your post. I have found community college to be a great door opener in my life. Not only am I saving $40,000+, I am able to find myself, reevaluate my life goals etc.</p>

<p>High School was a joke for me. I had top grades my first two years, but I started to decline due to personal/family issues. I ditched school, never studied and still graduated with above average grades-Not to mention I got perfect on both CAHSEE (what a joke). I have been to 3 high schools, and they were all a joke. Community College is easy for me, but it’s definitely harder than high school. I actually have to study to do good. Perhaps I feel it is easy because I am more mature, motivated, goal oriented, and live in a better environment; not to mention the vast increase in maturity and student services I have experienced at CC. This is the first time that I actually care and enjoy school.</p>

<p>While I believe most students who attend CC are wasting their time, the schools time, and the governments time, one cannot argue, legitimately, that it does not serve an invaluable purpose. I think we have all had classes that were super easy and super hard. I think it is human nature for someone to think they are somehow superior than others; let’s be honest, we all know people like that! And its even more common to see people do this on internet forums hiding behind a computer in anonymity. </p>

<p>I say ignore the naysayers and do what is best for you. If you are like me-middle class- then it may be the best move financially. </p>

<p>My parents will not help me so I have to be responsible for my own debt. I am also a first gen college student.</p>

<p>I will be transferring in fall 2010. Good luck. Get good grades, pick a “real” major, and grab life by the balls! </p>

<p>Also, I do agree there are a lot of idiots at CC. However, at my HS there were a lot more idiots that I seriously wanted to beat up. CC, in my opinion, is a bit higher class. Also, all of my teachers at CC are highly intelligent. I respect them and I learn a lot from them. My HS teachers were idiots. All of my HS’s were trashy. CC does get trashed a little bit, but it is higher class.</p>

4

<p>Overall CC isn’t that bad, the classes are a lot smaller then at a university and the professors aren’t focused on research so they actually try to teach you. I met so many committed & smart professors there, and they helped me out a lot. Also I think a good amount of freshman go straight from high school to a university and simply aren’t ready for it. CC allows you to transition from high school much easier, you learn things in CC that will help you for the next level. As someone who went to a CC and is now at UCSD, I would have struggled with university level course work right out of high school, but so many things I learned at CC about writing, analyzing, and being able to tell what a professor is looking for have proved invaluable at UCSD.</p>

5

<p>JamesGold, your assessment seems spot on. You are definitely right about the cost and the better chances at a school. I have been to two different junior colleges for the past four years, and i have to say i have really enjoyed them.</p>

<p>I would recommend finding a cc that has a large amount of classes in your intended major, or, of you don’t know your major, just a large amount of classes. I am majoring in philosophy, and my current cc only has four classes, but at Santa Rosa Junior college, there was something like 11 philosophy classes. I wish i was still there =(</p>

<p>As far as campuses go… Santa Rosa Junior College was amazing. I heard that some movie needed a scene at Harvard, so they shot it at SRJC. Other JCs are pretty ugly (as i have seen a few of em through sports). You just have to pick a good one.</p>

<p>And the teachers… actually, In my experience the teachers have been fantastic, but i make an effort to get the very best teachers I can. I always ask my friends what teacher has been their favorite and try and sit in on a class from various teachers to get a feel for the ones i would like. For example, their are only two Philosophy professors at my school that are worth anything as far as i’m concerned. But it’s really not uncommon for a prof to teach both at a JC and at a UC or CSU (if that says anything about the caliber of teaching)</p>

<p>Also, if you want to avoid the people who really are just “doin’ the jc” because they couldn’t get accepted anywhere, just take more difficult classes. I’ve met some extremely intelligent and interesting people at community college. </p>

<p>Oh, and one last thing, take PE classes =D. They’re cheap, quite fun, and often a good way to meet people (i’ve found this to be the case at least).</p>

6

<p>Many of my teachers have Ph.Ds from UC’s and Ivy Leagues. Next semester I’ll have a chemistry class with a man with a Ph.D from Berkeley. My sociology teacher has a Ph.D from Harvard University. I think that sure as hell beats being taught by a TA at a UC.</p>

7

<p>I’ve taken a class at my local community college, and can say that I liked the environment of the school. All the people in my class were friendly. Also, there were a lot of really cute girls there, which was a huge plus. There’s really nothing to be ashamed about. The only people that look down on community college students are elitist d’bags, and do you really care what they think? Most people realize that it’s a financially and academically smart option to take for many people.</p>

8

<p>I’ve had the most fun at my CC. Met the coolest professors and people, got involved way more than I ever did in HS, learned way more than I ever did in any school, was motivated even more by the counselors and leaders, became a leader myself, and payed almost nothing for the whole experience plus I was handed a fat check every 4 months. I’m ready for the next level, but I will never forget my time at CC because it was rewarding. The most important things I’ve learned are simple: Go to class every session, do any extra credit available, get to know people who are leaders or trying to be leaders, make friends with at least one person per class, become a leader and then before you know it your friend base just tripled because you interact with so many people in student government and class every day.</p>

9

<p>Vintij, I agree with everything you wrote! Couldn’t have said it better myself. I’ve enjoyed CC a lot more than high school, too. I’m ready for the university level, but I’m very thankful for the education I’ve received at my CC, including the people and professors that I’ve met and had a chance to learn from. If I had a chance to do everything over again, I think I would do the same thing.</p>

10

<p>It really depends on the CC you go to. The one I go to is in a pretty wealthy area so it’s not like scummy looking or anything. It’s really boring though. Absolutely nothing to do and most people are extremely anti social. Almost every professor I’ve had so far has had a Ph.D. Not all of them were good teachers though.</p>

<p>CC isn’t great but it’s not terrible either. The worst part I would say is the counseling department. They don’t know anything and they only hold you back. Do yourself a HUGE service and avoid talking to them about classes you need to take for your major in order to transfer UNLESS you know for sure that the counselor is knowledgeable about your major. Mine didn’t and ended up screwing me over. </p>

<p>There are a lot of dumb people as well at CC who are simply there so they feel like they are doing something but most of the time people are working jobs and are happy just getting by with a “C” in their classes.</p>

11

<p>Depends on what you mean by “bad”.</p>

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<p>All true. On average, instructor competence at CCs is lower than that at top 20 schools. Students are definitely less qualified. And campuses are poorly equipped and staffed.</p>

<p>On the other hand, some CCs have strong departments where most instructors have PhDs from prestigious schools and where instruction standards are high. And quality of the student body does not matter all that much if you are self-motivated and can study alone.</p>

12

<p>My education at CC has been way better than the UC. At the CC, professors are not involved with research so they devote 100% of their time to teach you. At the UC’s the professors are usually busy research and put more effort in their research than to teaching. I rather have a person devote all their time into teaching than a person just teaching you second hand to their research. You will see the difference when you transfer. CC is way more personal and UC is way more impersonal.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t judge good teaching on whether they graduated from a prestigious college or the amazing research they did. The good teachers are the ones who are caring, very clear, willing to slow down going over difficult concepts and very open during office hours. It has nothing to do with whether they have a Nobel Prize or ground breaking research or graduated from college xyz. You can have a professor who has a nobel prize and he can still be a crappy a teacher. </p>

<p>During my time at the CC, I haven’t had a professor who is not on topic during lecture. At the UC, you can have professors come in talk about his research or something cool but has nothing to do with the exam and spend like 10 minutes at the end rushing you through the powerpoint to teach you what you need to know for the exam. At the UC, there is a lot more self studying to do. At the CC, you are more spoon fed the stuff. For me I like the hand holding method. I know it sounds lazy and childish but honestly I don’t pay to learn this stuff alone. They might as well just do it like this. A book, a reading schedule, office hours online, and exams at the end of the month. I thought I got my moneys worth at the CC but not so much at the UC.</p>

<p>The advantage of going to the UC is the opportunities it offers like research and networking. This makes it worth its price. But education wise it is up the person. I liked it better at the CC in my opinion. I learned so much more.</p>

13

<p>When you post in community college transfer boards, obviously more people will accept attending a cc before going to a 4 year.</p>

14

<p>Community colleges suck because they keep you living at home for 2 more years. Great way to get into a great school though.</p>

15

<p>What’s important is not how you start but how you finish.</p>

16

<p>CC is awesome! if you don’t believe me, jsut watch that “community” show on nbc and watch how happy everyone is.</p>

17

<p>Wowzers. A TV show that makes CC students look like idiots. Great, looks like something I am interested in!</p>

18

<p>that show is hella greatttt, i cant believe that CC has dorms hahahah, thatd be pretty cool tho, dorm at a CC.</p>

<p>CC is pretty cool. I really resented going to one at first, but now i love it! It all comes down to what you make of it.</p>

19

<p>i only saw a few episodes, but yea it’s a good show. how are the ratings?</p>

20

<p>idk what the ratings are, ive seen all teh episodes up to date, and it seems like a show with potential to me, it seems like it could have a few strong seasons, but i dont think itll last thatt longgg, cuz its community college, they cant be there forever.</p>