<p>Long time reader/poster here, under a new name to protect privacy:</p>
<p>S did great in HS, 3.9, decent test scores, accepted to several excellent schools. Started out as an engineering major at a good private university. He did okay, A’s B’s and a couple of C’s. However, he came home that summer behaving very strangely, and eventually was hospitalized for a severe mental illness. Over the next 2 years he was hospitalized multiple times, was arrested and spent some time in jail. We thought we had lost him, his mind was gone. We spent tens of thousands of dollars for treatment above and beyond what was covered by insurance, plus huge attorney fees. We did tough love to the max. S kept trying to attend school at the local CC, but inevitably would become manic and have to withdraw. He racked up at least eight or more W’s, but occasionally would complete a course, usually with an A.</p>
<p>Thankfully, eventually S had had enough, and began to get some insight into his illness, follow his doctor’s orders with meds and good living habits, no drugs. Fast forward to now: He’s been well for almost two years, has continued to attend CC, completing all the general ed requirements and pre-requisites for his new major. He’s been working full-time at a job he loves for the past 7 months, and is self supporting in his own apartment. Yesterday he received his acceptance from our local state U to finish his BA. If he goes full-time, it will take one year, maybe with a summer included. If he decides to continue at his job, his boss likes him so much that he will adjust his hours so that he can go to school half-time. I am so proud of him.</p>
<p>I am approaching 50 now. Went to Glendale community college in early 80s. transferd
to california state and graduated with EE. Met my wonderful wife in Glendale community college also. Now I work for a great electronic company as middle management. high 6 figures and great stock options (think apple!). Wife is making the same. We owe so much to the community college system!</p>
<p>My son goes to community college and I am proud of it!</p>
<p>What a lot of people may not realized (although I know a couple in here hinted at this) is that local CC’s usually have transfer agreements with the big State Universities. The State Universities want to guarantee that the transfer students are prepared for classes after transferring, so they meddle quite a bit in the curriculum of the CC. For Example, Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis (Which I attended) has strong transfer arrangements with Indiana University, Purdue University, Ball State, and IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis). IUPUI is simply taking the best colleges from IU, and the best from Purdue and bringing them together into one University in Central Indiana.</p>
<p>Anyway, almost all of the courses at Ivy Tech are, in reality, controlled by a University, not Ivy Tech. IUPUI supplies ALL of the tests, quizzes, and the final exam for some of the Math classes. Sinces the IUPUI school of Mathematics is, in fact, the Purdue College of Mathematics, IUPUI students study the SAME THING as Purdue students in W.L. and in a very strange, convoluted process, a lot of the math classes at Ivy Tech are supervised by Purdue University.</p>
<p>Likewise, the Nursing Program is the same story, but it is overseen by IU.</p>
<p>My daughter has been attending a local CC for 1.5 years, mainly taking gen eds. She even had to retake a couple of them (don’t really know what happened there.) When she graduated h.s. she couldn’t get into the state college because she had low SATs, but they had an agreement with a cc near them and she would go there for one semester and then go to the state college. Well, she got sick and subsequently missed too many classes and they withdrew her. (I assume she has to list that school as she did attend it, but never received any grades.)</p>
<p>Although she will not have her a.s. for another year, she is applying to transfer now as she will have to change campuses at the cc to continue with her major, communications, and she doesn’t want to travel to the other campus. She’s only applied to one school so far (the original state college she was supposed to attend and the only state school she is interested in) and seems stuck as far as where else she wants to apply. Money is a huge concern as we have nothing to help her pay for it. Her gp should be around 2.25-2.5 at the end of this semester. We live in the northeast.</p>
<p>My concern is more about coming in as a transfer and making friends, etc. Although she had no problem when she was living at the state college, she was a freshman at that point, and now I’m not sure if she will be a sophomore or junior, and she will be coming in - most likely as an oos student - at a time when most kids have already formed friendships.</p>
<p>How have those that transferred - and lived on campus - adjusted?</p>
<p>So many inspiring stories. I truly thought that I was screwed from the moment I got rejected to all the schools I wanted to go to right out of high school. I felt so upset that I was going to be stuck at a community college. I’m at my first year of a CC right now and I feel that it was one of the better choices in life. I wouldn’t be happy attending a school that wasn’t my first choice. Community college gave me a second chance.</p>
<p>To add to what MongooseMuffin stated, CC’s offer quality education – the only real difference is that they offer it at lower prices. I attend Foothill Community College, which is the second best CC in California. We’ve had Stanford professors teach part time at Foothill and many Stanford students are recommended to take classes here just to save money. There tends to be a stigma around community colleges, but they really are held to a high standard. If this weren’t so, top universities wouldn’t give us priority transfer agreements.</p>
<p>Wayne County Community College to the University of Michigan.</p>
<p>Graduated with an average GPA in high school (3.1) and decided to enroll full-time at the local community college. I went in knowing that I wanted to push myself and not make the same mistakes I made in high school. My ultimate goal was to apply to the University of Michigan. During my fourth semester I applied and a few months later I found out that I was accepted to not just the best school in Michigan, and one of the best around the world, but to my dream school.
It’s up to you to succeed and go where you want to go. Really, the sky is the limit.</p>
<p>I don’t go to CC but i teach business courses at one. Here are a couple of success stories of business students:</p>
<p>Student A: After causing a horrendous traffic accident, in which he nearly killed another person, this student got his act together, worked full-time while attending a CC, made nearly perfect grades in business courses, transferred to ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business. He graduated near the top of his class and started in investment banking making an entry-level salary of $80K. (And this was a few years ago!) He had no previous work experience other than waiting tables. He was hired by a bank among graduates from Duke, Harvard, Yale. He attributes his success to having a second chance at a CC.</p>
<p>Student B: Was very qualified to attend a high-level state uni but needed $$, so he got a scholarship to play basketball at the CC. Made nearly perfect grades, transferred to a prestigious university business school, and was offered three jobs during the worst hear of the recession. Turned down all offers to go to law school.</p>
<p>Student C: Was a nationally ranked figure skater for several years and put off going to college until mid 20s. Went to CC for two years, transferred to university business school, and got a prized full-time position with Goldman Sachs. He said the best teachers he ever had were at the CC.</p>
<p>There are many, many more stories, but these are my favorites.</p>
<p>Didn’t care too much in high school never applied my self. went to local cc. on my 2nd day of classes got into fatal car crash that almost took my life. 2 days after ICU and 2 surgeries I returned against the doctors wishes. teachers said I couldnt catch up but I got a B+ avg my 1st semester. stress took over and I developed chronic debilitating hives. (whenever I had to speak in class or was in too much sunlight or heat I would get a rash that felt like I was burning.) I withdrew after the drop period hurting my GPA. when I finally came back was working 60 hrs plus school full-time. after 2.5 yrs I transferred to a state college that anyone could get into. I flourished & became very popular. I was well spoken and good looking at first everyone put me on a pedestal but after junior yr I was harassed, stalked and bullied.</p>
<p>Didn’t care too much in high school never applied my self. went to local cc. and on my 2nd day of classes got into (fatal) car crash that almost took my life. 2 days after ICU and 2 surgeries I returned against the doctors wishes. teachers said I couldn’t catch up but I got a B+ avg my 1st semester. I was being charged with homicide (I was not reckless, drinking or speeding, just an accident) stress took over and I developed chronic, debilitating hives. (whenever I had to speak in class or was in too much sunlight or heat I would get a rash that felt like I was burning.) I withdrew after the drop period hurting my GPA. when I finally came back I was working 60 hrs plus school full-time. after 2.5 yrs I transferred to a state college that anyone could get into. I flourished & became very popular. Student athlete, well spoken and good looking at first everyone put me on a pedestal but after junior yr I was harassed, stalked and bullied.</p>
<pre><code> This was before the major bullying cases so I didn’t know how to react. College had become my world and it was crumbling. I withdrew or abandoned my classes, incompletes became F’s, I was disillusioned, I had failed. I couldn’t become a teacher anymore becuase I was found guilty and could not pass background checks. I worked at dead end jobs for 3 yrs postponing my return. I didn’t like who I had become My future wasn’t looking too bright so I went back to my CC. I could have transferred to one of the many state Colleges who take anyone but I wanted to get my associates(I previously transferred early w/ 3 classes left to take) and I wanted to retake a few classes to boost my then 2.0 gpa.
I started with 1 class last summer and got a A- (had gotten a d before in that class).
</code></pre>
<p>last fall I took 3 classes and got a 3.4 (deans list). I became more confident, my self esteem went up along with my GPA. Now with a 2.49 I was close to the 2.5 the transfer pact required to get into the state universities which were more prestigious. Then I thought why not aim for the more selective (flagship) which required a 3.0. I am now in my second semester back in CC and have one more to go. by the end of this summer My gpa would have gone from 2.0 to 3.0 or close to it. I am now also thinking about even more prestigious private schools if I can afford them. Northeastern’s avg transf. GPA is 3.3( a bit of a reach but not impossible) Bently 3.3 also. Suffolk 3.0, Umass(Amherst) 3.0. Though I will have an accumulative 3.0 I will have an upward trend or a 3.5 for my last 40 credits. (I hope they notice this)</p>
<p>I am still improving my study habits and have along way to go but coming back to CC has allowed me to find my self. as a kid I wanted to do great things but a part of me thought those things were unreachable. the biggest difference between old me and new me is that My goals are higher and I am more mature. though I wasted a lot of time I would not be doing this well If I hadn’t gone through those hardships. IN my bio class I have the highest test score avg. no one is close to me this makes me competitive and boosts my confidence. My bio teacher even said that I should become a doctor. This tells me I can achieve anything I set my mind to and that’s what CC did for me. </p>
<pre><code> My 5 and 7 yr old sisters go to an after school reading n math program. I look at them with envy and think “I wish I can go back and coach my self as a kid so I would do some things differently.” and then I realize that its not too late to make a change, to better your self the ship has not sailed. even if you where a horrible student, even if you made some mistakes you can always change no matter how old you are no matter the obstacles. This is America where the sky is the limit…
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<p>Out of high school I was accepted to several in and out of state public and private universities, however was not offered enough in scholarships to attend. I am graduating with my AA this month and have received numerous accolades at the CC including top graduating student 2011, been elected to state office in a business fraternity, and been offered a scholarship to my state’s flagship that covers all expenses. My college experience is far from over, but so far I can not say I regret my decision.</p>
<p>Went from being black-out drunk in the dean’s office at my high school with two sheriffs on either arm my junior year, to accepting Cornell’s offer of admission for Fall 2011 as a transfer student.</p>
<p>I am transferring out of CC at the end of this semester. I am in the CC’s honors program and have gotten into Rutgers and Drexel with a scholarship. I am still waiting to hear back from NYU…</p>
<p>My friend is transferring out for the fall from CC and is going to UPenn.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.79 (Rising to a 3.89 at the end of this semester)
4 Honors Courses and member of PTK (2-year college’s honor’s society) and a few other clubs including the radio station.</p>
<p>Given $15,000 to Drexel and have received multiple e-mails from their Honors College
Accepted to RU NB without scholarship, but again have received e-mails from HC.
Originally accepted into NYU’s GSP program as a senior in HS so reapplied now.</p>
<p>Friend: 3.9 (+ or - a little)
Has worked in PR field for a few years and has traveled to Africa, India, Iran to help impoverished. </p>
<p>A stereotype of many CC students is that they just don’t care about school, but for many of the people I know and am friends with, they excel at academics, but wanted a lesser priced education. IE – My other friend will have a 3.98 at this semester and is going to Temple. </p>
<p>As an FYI – If you are willing to take the hit of not having grades from your year at a 4-year institution, you do not have to list it or send in your transcripts. Even though applications ask for all of your higher-ed transcripts, you do not have to send them in if you do not want them to count for any sort of credit transfer. You will, though, be a year behind but it could help your transfer cause in the end. Accordingly though, you will have a year gap in your education to explain on application forms.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, you can always PM me.</p>
<p>I’m a senior in high school who is considering going to CC to transfer as a sophomore. I was wondering if getting into a good school is within my reach. I’ve heard success stories on this site everywhere, but I’m wondering if those are just diamonds in the rough rather than the norm. I’m going into CC with a fair bit of AP credit, as well as a pretty good HS record (3.9 weighted, 3.5 UW, 2070 SAT).</p>
<p>I’m giving up a reputable 4 year to go to CC because I feel like I could do better (gotta dream big haha) to transfer to a good school. As I’ve learned from reading this board, the average person here is not your average student! Everyone here is so driven that there’s some obvious self-selection, so I’m wondering if I can hope for my own success story, or whether I’d be fighting the odds by going to CC.</p>
<p>And just as an aside, how many schools did you guys apply to? Because as a senior I only applied to seven schools, which in retrospect seemed like very few.</p>
<p>Your education is always what you make of it. The students here were not secret masterminds who just didn’t care in high school; they recognized the chance they had to change their study habits and they took it. A lot of students in community college don’t take it, but the opportunity to succeed is there for anyone who wants it. You sound like you will do very well in CC. You have the motivation that many of us lacked as high school students, all you have to do is keep it up!</p>
<p>As for your second question, I think transfer students tend to apply to fewer schools, as they have a better idea of what time of location, size, and learning environment they’re looking for in a school. I applied to 6 schools out of high school (I think 7 is average, by the way), but only 3 as a transfer student (and if I’d had the confidence, I only would have applied to the one I wanted).</p>
<p>tl;dr - The cases on this site may be “diamonds in the rough,” but only because a lot of CC students aren’t as motivated, not because getting into a good school is so unattainable.</p>
<p>HS GPA: 3.5, 4.2W
CC GPA: 3.8 (upward trend!)
ACT: 31
Accepted to: UMiami, Maryland-College Park, UMBC, UNC-Chapel Hill, Brandeis, and Columbia GS.
Most-likely attending Columbia .</p>
<p>In HS, I had an OK GPA but terrible SAT scores since I was not prepared for that at all. I was also not really sure of where I wanted to go to school and what I wanted to study. So, directionless me was rejected from every college I applied to and then opted to go to CC. That was honestly the best thing that ever happened to me. I was determined to transfer into a good school so I took hard classes and maintained a pretty good GPA. I also joined two honors programs, was involved in some community service on campus, tutored, and for the past year worked almost full time while taking a pretty heavy load of classes.
I now encourage anybody who’s not sure of what they want to do after HS to consider CC. I took really good classes with great professors and met great people --both students and faculty. Not to mention I save a lot of money.</p>