Community College vs. 4 yrs University

<p>Hi, so, I am at a point where I am starting to select which college or university I want to go. So right now I have been accepted to some of the top 100 4 years Universities and some state Universities. However, I really want to go to a California Community College where my girlfriend is going. Since I thought it would be good for me to go somewhere that there is someone I know of and can take care of each other during college years and be able to transfer to one of the UCs. Yet, my parents think otherwise, they think I will be ruining my own future for a girl if I go to a community college and says I have to attend one of the top Universities. They think if I go to a community college, I will do bad academically when I attend a UC (they say that a community college has not as good enough of a academic environment for me to learn well compare to a 4 years University and studying in UC will become very difficult for me.) So they think I shouldn't go to a community college but should go to the 4 years university and they think it is the right path for my future.
So, what do you think? is their argument valid? that I will be ruining my future when I attend a CCC and transfer to a UC because CCC doesn't have good learning environment and I won't be able to have a strong beginning? or do you guys think that I should go to community college and transfer to a UC which is what I wanted? by the way, I like California better that other states. Thank you!</p>

<p>Can you pay for your education and your living expenses at the CCC (and eventually at a UC) without any help from your parents? I</p>

<p>There are various situations where going to community college can be advantageous or disadvantageous compared to going directly to a four year university.</p>

<p>But most here would say that following your girlfriend is a very poor way of selecting a college or university to attend. Since you did not mention anything else relevant to the choice you have (which community colleges and universities, what your intended or possible major(s) are, what the net cost will be in each situation), it is likely that you are being blinded by the desire to follow your girlfriend, and not considering the actual academic and financial (and other) pros and cons of each school as it relates to your situation.</p>

<p>Remember that even if you and she do attend the same community college, you will likely have to face separation (at least temporarily), if you and she become transfer ready at different times, and/or are admitted to different four year universities to complete bachelor’s degrees.</p>

<p>Apologizing in advance for the yelling …</p>

<p>FRANK FOR THE LOVE OF GOD NO NO NO NO NO THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT REASONS TO GO TO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUT MY GIRLFRIEND GOES THERE IS NOT ONE OF THEM SOMEONE I KNOW GOES THERE IS NOT ONE EITHER AND SOMEONE THERE TO TAKE CARE OF ME IS THE WORST OF ALL</p>

<p>Again, sorry. </p>

<p>You have a plan for your education and your parents are providing you with the money to fulfill that plan. Pick the best path FOR YOU that is available right now. If you and your girlfriend are meant to be, she will understand and you will deal with the temporary separation. Best path available is not CC - listen to your parents on this one.</p>

<p>I understand going to community college for a girl isn’t a good mover, but there is more to that but she been there is one of the reason I choose to go there. My parents are small business owners and I have a brother who is choosing to go to a private college too and I do not want to pressure the expensive tuition on them especially during tough economic time. Also, I like California a lot and I also know about how great the transfer program is in a CCC. So, I just would like to know if going to a CCC and be able to transfer to a UC (for economic major) will be a better choice all around (financially, academically, etc). And I just wonder if what they say about CCC cannot provide a good enough education to prepare me to a UC is valid.</p>

<p>You have not really explained much of anything other than wanting to follow your girlfriend.</p>

<p>Yes, lots of students successfully go to community college and then transfer to a four year school to complete their bachelor’s degrees. But there is no way to tell if that is the optimal route for you in terms of academics and costs, given the lack of information you gave.</p>

<p>Important factors in your decision include:</p>

<ul>
<li>What are the various school options, including the community college(s) and four year universities?</li>
<li>What is the net cost of each option, after financial aid? Are you a California resident? (If not, even community college in California won’t necessarily be cheap.)</li>
<li>Are you “at grade level”, or very advanced (AP and post-AP courses), or needing remedial work in college?</li>
<li>Will you need to work a large number of hours in college to avoid heavy debt?</li>
</ul>

<p>No offense, but that is a horrible way to choose a college. Pleaseeee go to the 4-year university. Your parents are right and don’t base your future on a girl. It’s not like you won’t be able to see her anymore. So, if you’re able to pay for the university PLEASE GO!</p>

<p>I find myself coming into this conversation very late… but I’ll add in my two sense for the next individual who reads this thread, finding themselves in a similar situation. </p>

<p>I currently attend a community college and love it. I have been able to meet people, and I feel as if I have been better prepared to transfer to a competitive four year institution than I was by the high schools I attended. Going to college isn’t just about the academics. Going to college is about each of the multi-facited dimensions of an education that ultimately shapes who we are as people. Now, hear me out… In the last two years I have changed my career goals three times, without changing my major. The CC I attend has such a broad liberal arts program, the indecisiveness that comes with being young has been manageable. Also, for all the money in the world, they would not have let me into a 4 year school after high school. However, with two (very) successful years of college under my belt- I’m a competitive applicant at schools I could have only dreamed of attending. </p>

<p>So this is MY story… what the heck does it have to do with your situation? This is my experience… not my opinion. My experience has shown me that after 2 years spent in the nurturing environment of a community college I became a stronger, and more prepared college student. My experience also tells me that attending a community college allowed for growth and self-discovery. It was also cheap-which, when you’re paying for college on your own… is muy importante. </p>

<p>To follow a girl or not to follow a girl… that is the question. Someone wise once told me “You win, or you learn.” If you follow her, and it was a mistake, you’ll never make that mistake again. If you don’t- same thing. Making decisions is part of life. Make a decision with the information you have- but don’t be afraid of a little discomfort. So maybe you two see each other 3/7 days a week as opposed to in between classes every day. At least you’ll know that you’re relationship is strong enough to “stand the tests of time and separation.” </p>

<p>Be kind to your parents. They love you and don’t want you to screw up all of their hard work (just kidding). I’m sure they want you to be happy- make sure they understand that you’re trying to be authentic. </p>

<p>Finally, and then I’ll shut up- keep in mind that the decisions we make can have monumental impacts on our lives (for good and for bad)… always make decisions… when we stop is when we die.</p>

<p>Are you in-state for that CCC? If so, and money truly is an issue for your family, and you can commute from home, it may not be such a bad idea.</p>

<p>HOWEVER if you are out-of-state, it isn’t so smart. You will not only pay OOS fees at that CCC and have to come up with a way to pay your living expenses, and your will be shelling for OOS tuition and fees once you do transfer to that UC (assuming you do transfer successfully). Chances are that there are plenty of options that would work out less expensive for you.</p>

<p>Sit down with your parents, and talk with them about the MONEY. Where is it coming from? Do they have it on hand, or are they planning on you and them taking on a boat-load of debt? If you take the time to really work through that issue, you will have more clarity about the rest of the decisions that you need to make.</p>

<p>Thank you for all of your replies and your stories, and yes, I am a OOS student but the CCC I am going to (SBCC) cost only 17000+ annually and a private college can cost 30000+ to 50000+. Also, I do plan on taking a part time job during college (to build up experience and resume for my career). Also, I understand that following a girl is stupid, since future is unpredictable and we can possibly break up at some point. However, I didn’t just “follow with my eyes closed”, I did my research, and talked to my high school counselor for advices and found some success story from students who went through community college. I am not like a top 5% student in high school… only averaged GPA of 3.5 and got accepted to Marquette University (that is where my parents wants me to go and we do not live in Wisconsin.) So, thank you guys, I will think it through and discuss with my parents.</p>

<p>Do not choose a school, especially a lesser school, over a BF or GF…that’s just nutty!</p>

<p>Go to Marquette.</p>

<p>Marquette full list price is about $47,000 per year – would you be getting any financial aid or scholarships?</p>

<p>SBCC may be $17,000 for two years, but then you’d have to transfer to UC or CSU. SBCC students probably tend to target UCSB for transfer; UCSB is $51,000 per year out of state, with not a lot of financial aid for out of state students. Other UCs are similarly priced; CSUs cost less.</p>

<p>But note that transferring to UCSB or other more desirable UC or CSU is not necessarily easy. If you spend all of your time socializing with your girlfriend and scrape by with a 2.4 GPA at SBCC, you may find that only a few schools will take you as a transfer.</p>

<p>Why is your girlfriend going to SBCC? Wouldn’t it be out of state for her? Wouldn’t it be better for both her and you to attend a local community college over a more expensive out of state community college?</p>

<p>This is not really about the merits or not of attending community college versus going straight to a four year university as a freshman. It is about the fact that you are making your choice for the wrong reason, which is keeping you from seeing what really matters (given how little you have written about the relative merits of the choices).</p>