Community College and Other Options?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I posted a few months ago regarding the circumstances surrounding my leaving college, and my search for a different college to attend in the fall. (see this thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=127282%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=127282&lt;/a> )</p>

<p>Since my last post I've decided that I want to be closer to home (less than three hours away). I would like to be able to come home some weekends to help my mom out around the house, and I would like to be able to attend the type of college where I can focus on my grades, but still keep a job to help out with family finances. I'm planning to study biology or environmental science. I'm also planning to stay at a local college for a year or two, and hopefully my grades will be good enough so I can transfer to the college of my choice.</p>

<p>I am from the South Western Pennsylvania area, about 2 hours south of Pittsburgh and about an hour outside of Morgantown, West Virginia. </p>

<p>So far I've applied to the following schools:
West Virginia University
The University of Pittsburgh's Greensburg Campus
Garrett County Community College (Overlooking Deep Creek in Maryland)
Slippery Rock University</p>

<p>Surprisingly, of these schools Garrett Community College is my favorite. The campus is beautiful, the area the campus is located in is one of my favorite places in the world and is ideal for studying the environmental sciences, and they also have an Outdoor Sprots Certification program, where one can become certified in CPR, and to teach skills like rock climbing, orienteering, and outdoor survival skills. This is something I'm quite interested in. </p>

<p>My concern is, if I attend a community college will I have a lot of trouble transfering to the college of my choice after a year or two? And will I be challenged by courses at a community college?</p>

<p>I am also looking for suggestions for other schools that may fit in to what I am looking for. Here is a summary of my stats:
GPA- 3.8W/3.54UW
SAT- 1330 (720V/610M)
RANK-11/98
In high school I was a founding member of Model UN, I played on 3 different soccer teams and was captain of my high school and one club team for two years, I was also involved in several other clubs and community service. Currently, I am working around 20-30 hours a week in retail sales.</p>

<p>If anyone can offer any advice of suggestions, I would be very greatful. I've learned so much from these boards and I am so thankful that everyone who contributes is so helpful.</p>

<p>Thank You,
Amy</p>

2

<p>Concerning being challenged at a CC, seek out the challenging instructors, Amy. I have taught at both CC and Uni, and there was no difference in how I taught, only in the school policies such as when students could drop and with what consequences. My best friend still teaches at a CC, and you couldn't hope to get a more challenging writer instructor than she. You will find excellence at your CC if you want it, especially in teaching, since research isn't king.</p>

<p>You will, I'm sure, get good answers to your other questions, but this is the one I feel most strongly about. I wish you the very best!</p>

3

<p>Amy, many students find it difficult to attend college a distance from home and, in fact, a very high percentage attend a college within 60 miles of home. I had heard a figure of about 66%. So you are not alone in this regard.</p>

<p>Clearly your hs academic record permits you to attend the vast number of colleges and universities in the US but your criteria limits the number to those in close proximity of home which is fine.</p>

<p>I am certain the you will do fantastic at GCC and could be a good option assuming that it allows you to live at home. It is easy to transfer to a 4 year college from many CC's. And some even have formal arrangements with selected public and private colleges. You need to check with GCC about this. Most credits will probably transfer if this is the case. If not, don't assume that all your credits will transfer toward a 4 year degree. The college will grant credit on a course by course basis.</p>

<p>If you will not be living at home while attending GCC, I would recommend you consider one of your other choices, because they are all accredited colleges. SRU has outing club, cycling club ans environmental club which may fit in with your interests. Most other colleges have a similar offering of clubs too. And usually they are open to students starting up new ones, something you have experience with.</p>

<p>Good luck Amy and keep us posted!!</p>

4

<p>If you haven't already done this, contact someone at the CC about transfers, they will be one of your best sources of information. Many community colleges have transfer agreements set up with nearby universities, this prevents lost time and money taking non-transferable courses. Your other good source of information will be 4 year schools that you would consider attending for the jr/sr year, their admissions/transfer offices. Many people get an excellent foundation at CCs, you will find good teachers and bad teachers, dedicated students (some of whom will be working hard just to be in school) and slackers, but your education will not be compromised. Good luck to you.</p>

5

<p>I went to college as an adult and was in a community college 1 year before I transferred into an Ivy. I was able to do this because I had a 4.0 cum and took challenging math and science classes. My acceptance was conditional on my taking an additional science which I did over the summer. When a friend with similar circumstances was rejected by an Ivy..the President of the community college went to bat for him and changed their mind. You might want to talk to the admission officer at Carnegie Mellon and ask their opinion of this plan and the school.</p>

<p>In California, you can get a direct line into the UCs through your friendly community college.</p>

<p>Different community colleges and majors have their own reputations.</p>