I can possibly get a full ride to CC and with a study abroad stipend. I was wondering if it is totally worth it or should I just go to my state school instead if I don’t get in anywhere else? Can someone educate me of transferring if I decide to go to CC instead
CC is a great option! Are you in N.J.? In NJ you can get free CC if you qualify for STARS and the state schools will accept all your credits. I know a few kids who did that.
Definitely worth looking in to. If you have in mind which college you want to transfer to afterwards, do some research on if the credits from cc transfer well between schools. Sometimes the cc will have a page on their website regarding transfer agreements with other local 4 year schools. Also look into joining Phi Theta Kappa honor society if your grades are good in cc. That can get you a transfer scholarship.
Generally at 4 year colleges freshman scholarships are bigger than transfer scholarships so for some people it’s worth looking into whether the cc really is a savings. But if you have a full ride, surely only having to pay for your last 2 years will be a great savings.
Some random brainstorms–
- How hard is it to get the classes you need? You should try to talk to students on the transfer track and see how hard it is to finish in two years.
- How hard is it to take classes in person? Many CCs are offering more online classes to save money. The learning experience is NOT the same.
- If you're social, realize that the commuter nature of CC may mean fewer clubs and extracurricular activities.
- What is the total cost of study abroad versus the size of your stipend? The tuition they charge may not include airfare, meals, side trips, etc. CC study abroad is usually a bargain compared to four year school programs, but you will likely need to come up with some funds.
- Meet with academic advising regularly at CC -- you'll have a much better chance of successful transfer. If you live within driving distance of your target four year school, go visit with the transfer advisor there, especially if you have an unusual major. (My DD is interested in atmospheric science which doesn't have the same number of kids as those going into business, engineering, etc. so the CC advisor was less familiar with her goals than the advisor at the four year school.)
Make sure you know exactly what you need to transfer and prioritize those classes. Especially if you are spending a semester away, you really need to plan ahead!
What is your likely major? Does your CC offer a formal articulation agreement that guarantees transfer to a 4-year university for your major?
How affordable is your overall four year college program if you do two years for free at the CC then transfer to the state university you are looking at? Has that state university offered you any significant scholarship money?
What sort of scholarships would you get at your flagship? Have you run the NPC on several colleges? Have you applied to meet need colleges (if you have an EFC under 15k) or meeting scholarships (if you need merit aid)?
What are your alternatives to the CC (ie., Princeton or Stockton)?
At your local CC, what percentage students manage to transfer after 2 years? 3 years?
Be aware that at many state universities, merit scholarships for transfer students are often geared towards people transferring from in-state community colleges. So if you go to community college, will you be happy with your in-state options when it comes time to transfer?
The question isn’t really what percentage of students at that CC manage to transfer in a given time range, but rather what percentage of students in this particular scholarship program who want to transfer are able to do so.
Go meet with the program coordinator and with the transfer advisor at this CC. Find out where their graduates end up. They are the ones who can best advise you about the longer-range advantages/disadvantages of this choice.