<p>^ The California higher education system is fantastic, isn’t it? ;)</p>
<p>Yes, yes, I’m in California. Now, I’m not sure I understand this.</p>
<p>Is community college bad? I want a straight answer on this, because I for one think you would have to be borderline insane to think the mathematical constants of calculus change based on who teaches you and where.</p>
<p>I have been to community college in California and my son is attending now as a high school senior. I think some of the courses are rigorous, but many are not. One advantage is that the classes are a bit smaller than the UC’s. Also, some of the students are very bright, others not so bright; it’s a mixed bag. Certainly, most of the students are motivated to learn because they are paying for their own education. There is not a big culture of drinking and goofing off. In California the students can be a fascinating mix. I had students in my classes from Russia, Somalia, Croatia, Norway, Eritrea, mainland China, India and many other countries. One of the best friends I made is from Nicaragua. Also, I had fellow students who had graduated from Stanford, Cornell, and UC Berkeley among other top schools. Still, I think there’s something to be gained from the bonding that happens when you attend a school for 4 years with the same people.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No, work hard, and write a ticket to a 4-year university, or get an AA and be a productive California citizen…it’s all about your goals and ambitions.</p>
<p>You’ll save money.</p>
<p>I recommend community college for students that are not sure of a major and don’t have stellar academic credentials out of high school.</p>
<p>I just asked a relative this, since he spent 2 years at the big midwest state U and one year at CC. He said CC was MUCH easier. He was taking engineering coursework (frosh/soph level - calc, physics, chem, etc.). They don’t cover as much, and don’t go into the depth that the state U did.</p>
<p>I also have a friend who teaches at another CC who says the teachers admit they have dumbed down coursework to accommodate the student body. He tells me horror stories about the caliber of the students there.</p>
<p>My sense is that going to CC is similar to going to college from a sub-standard high school (or ‘college prep’ - not honors - classes in a good HS) - you may make it at the university level, and you may not, due to lack of preparation.</p>
<p>Maybe some CCs are great. My kid may end up at one, but I won’t be enthused. There must be a way to maximize the CC experience, and I may end up having to find out what that is.</p>
<p>Treetopleaf,</p>
<p>There are honors programs to accommodate excellent students.</p>
<p>Thanks - I’ll have to ask my teacher friend about any honors programs.</p>
<p>It’s not all bad, but we do end up underprepared when transferring to University?</p>
<p>I don’t think I was underprepared at all. If anything, I smoked most of my classmates with minimal effort.</p>
<p>
Yes it is - it truly is :)</p>
<p>The punchline to my dad’s story? He never finished high school. Tune in, turn on, drop out - it was the '60s, man. He decided to start taking some motorcycle mechanic classes at the local JC…</p>
<p>From high school dropout to Cal doctorate.</p>
<p>He steered me toward community college early on - and I’ve never regretted it. The CCCs are truly one of this state’s gems.</p>
<p>Vote yes on Prop. 92!</p>
<p>Pros:
- Easy admission, basically all you have to do is sign up and your in
- Cheap, although the tuition in general is rising, it is still cheaper than public universities. You take college courses for a cheaper price
- Faculty, not sure about at universities and colleges, but the faculty at CC’s are very helpful, often stay after class to help, very availible with their office hours and time outside the classroom</p>
<p>Cons:
- Terrible “college experience”. Very little communication between students unless you already know each other. Students often come and go, take one class and leave for work/home etc..
- When you graduate, you basically have to do the same process as you did as a high school senior with applications, essays, letters of reccomendation, it can get pretty stressful. It is also more difficult than as a high school senior, as you have to make sure your credits are accepted and you have to make sure they match up with your intended major
- Lack of school spirit, really nobody cares about the school except for a minority. </p>
<p>overall my experience has been more positive than negative. It has prepared me for a four year school and I have been able to work hard enough to earn better grades than what I did in high school. The biggest negative is the social life, really outside of the friends I knew from high school, I didn’t meet any new friends and never really had a great time on campus. Most of the kids as soon as class is over go to their cars or immediately go to their cell phones</p>