Community College to Dream University?!

Student Lounge College Life
1

I’m considering going to a community college for two years and then applying as a transfer student to my dream school. But I’m worried that two years may feel too short at my dream school and it may be harder to make friends and have a full college experience since I would be entering as a junior.

For anyone who has transferred to their dream school or is planning on it: Do you wish you were there for four years instead of two? And is it easy to make friends, live on campus, and have the college experience?

2

It may feel too short to you, but if it’s your dream school it will be well worth it. I attended a college freshmen year that I felt pressured to go it. I didn’t get into my #1, aka my dream school, and I was devastated. I tried to make the best of it at my chosen school, but I was miserable. So, I moved back home and went to CC for a semester, and I finally got accepted to my dream school a few weeks ago and will be attending there in the fall.

Did you apply to colleges? You can always start at one college (that’s not a CC) and transfer to another. You also can go to a CC and possibly transfer after one year. Not all people stay for two years. IMO, two years at a CC and then transferring is the best deal if finances are an issue. My brother-in-law went to CC for two years, received his associate’s, and transferred to his dream school. He had no problems making friends or fitting in the crowd. You will find your way.

Sure, you’ll wish you had more time there once you transfer, but you will also be thankful that you were able to spend the time there that you did.

3

Questions I would ask:

  1. Why are you considering going to CC first? Cost? Grades? Not ready to be indepenent?

  2. What is your dream school? (or if you don’t want to give the exact name, give examples of the type)

If it is cost, it may be that you could get need or merit aid to make it affordable.
If it is grades, you would have to figure out how you could all of a sudden do much better in college classes to get better grades.
Also, if your dream school is your state school then the credits will transfer nicely. Butif your dream school is Harvard they take very few transfers and when they do , they would most likely not be CC students and the credits may not transfer well.