I’m planning to transfer to a 4-year university after going to a community college near where I live.
The reason why I want to do that is because I don’t really know what kind of career I want to have, and it also saves money.
I’m just wondering if any of you guys feel embarrassed saying that you go to a community college, or that you are planning to go to a community college. I honestly feel a little ashamed when my friends talk about 4-year colleges that they are planning to go to. I also worry that people might think that I’m “dumb” or I “don’t try”, because I’m going to a 2-year college.
I can understand how you feel. Every time you feel “less than” for going to a community college, just remember you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank while all your friends are in debt. Additionally, recently I was talking to a retired Chemist who has been wildly successful in his career, authored books and taught at the university level. He told me that he really encourages kids to start at a junior college (CC) because of the cost and because the teaching is so much better. He talked a lot about how you get real teachers rather than T.A.s. Feel proud and press on. Good job!
I can tell you with absolutely no shame that I got my Associate’s at a local community college, then went on to get my Bachelor’s and Master’s at a local university.
As you gain maturity, you start to realize what’s important in life. And the opinion of people who would judge you on something so silly simply doesn’t make the cut.
Don’t let other people dictate your options. You will always come across those who want to look down on where you went. Do not even engage in the debate. It is stupid and does not get you anywhere. Keep focused on the goal and become successful in life. Then you can get the last laugh.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that, accurate or not, community colleges have a reputation in some circles as a refuge for those not yet ready for ‘real’ college. I could write several paragraphs refuting this impression, but that will not change the outlook of many people. My advice is SIU (Suck It Up), do well, and transfer to a good university. You will end up with a Bachelor’s degree and nobody will ask you if you spent your Freshman/Sophomore years elsewhere. In the meantime, you will have benefited from smaller class sizes and more dedicated teachers, and you will be many thousands of dollars richer.
I just finished 2 years at a community college in Southern California, and next month I will be going to a UC. I absolutely LOVED my time at cc and wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.
You shouldn’t feel embarrassed. My husband started at a CC, finished at a UC and graduated from UCLA Law. He saved a lot of money by attending CC the first two years. It’s not where you start, it’s where you end up.
A lot of incoming students don’t know what career they want. At our age and lack of experience, I think deciding ASAP is too daunting. Plus, the majority change their major by the end of their freshman year. If you do know what you want to do and go through with your plan, then good for you–but if not, dont discourage yourself.
Also, there are smart (if by smart, you mean people who excel academically) people at CC. More than smart, you’re going to meet disciplined and fiercely stubborn students who won’t be satisfied with just lectures. Go join clubs and programs that interest you!
Personally, I get defensive and p*ssed instead of embarrassed–but I ONLY feel this way when I’m near high schoolers. Some HS peers silently judge me and compare me to other students. Honestly, I used to be like this until I decided to start CC. You’ll find that the people who focus on name recognition and “prestige” need time to mature.
I don’t regret CC! it provided irreplaceable opportunities for self-growth. Expect a diverse student population and attentive professors (for the most part aha)
I am in my 3rd semester at my CC, and when I first started here I was embarrassed at first but honestly as the time went by I didn’t care anymore. I’m getting my associates for me and me only.
I’ve got 3 in college this year, one in CC and the other two at 4-years. The one in CC is banking money while the other two have student loans.
Both my parents started at CC. They were poor and worked to pay their way through. Both ended up with high paying successful careers. They were always proud of their accomplishments.
I started at a community college when I was 17. I actually had to start there since I was an 8th grade dropout and put my education on hold until I was old enough to get my GED. I was there longer than I would have liked (4 years), but I only took like 3 classes the first year, so I like to say I was there for 3 years I met some great professors during my stint at CC and managed to get into some really decent schools - USC, UCLA, UCSD, UCB, etc. I just graduated from USC this year - and I managed to do it in slightly under 2 years by taking on some really packed semesters Heck, I even got to take a graduate level course my final semester and presented research. I would have never ever envisioned myself presenting research. I was a little embarrassed at first to say I went to CC and was a transfer, but some of the nicest people I met at USC were transfers themselves.
My son doesn’t! In fact, he is finding it humorous to watch his friends who went off to a 4 year school flounder and either come back home and end up at the CC anyway, or quit school altogether and come home.
However, he feels he has surpassed what the CC can offer him at this point, and we are in agreement with that, and he will leave before getting his AA. He is headed to a specialized college and finding out that most of his stuff won’t transfer anyway has made the decision easier.
But spending that year and a half at CC helped him “find his way” so to speak.
NO SHAME WHATSOEVER!
And now middle son is looking at starting at CC, even though he has a better idea of what he wants…it just makes things easier and more economical, and heck, who knows if he will change his mind about what he wants to do anyway???
My dad is one of the most successful people I have ever known and he went to CC.
My son started out at CC in high school, as a dual enrollment student, and we were pleasantly surprised at the campus, the professors, the administrative team, etc. It is a great way to go especially if you have one close by and money is tight.
Our son’s physics tutor (who does very well for himself btw) also started out at CC and ended up in a PhD program.
When you look at the people transferring into top schools as juniors, you’ll see those schools are frequently choosing students from community colleges. Those schools certainly do not look down on community colleges!
I’ve taught at community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and public universities. At a community college, you will have smaller classes (than at universities) taught by experts (no teaching assistants) who are teaching because they love to teach. The classes will be as rigorous, and the CC will likely have an Honors Program that you can enroll in to make yourself more competitive if you want to transfer later.
The main thing you don’t have at a CC can be, ironically, a feeling of community because most people are commuting. If that’s important to you, check to see if there are student apartments affiliated with your CC of choice, or just sign up to join in some of the may clubs your CC will offer. You’ll be amazed by how fast you can found your tribe. (You should try to participate in such things wherever you go, really.)
Last year family and son were visiting a local Comunity College like an option for him to go after HS.
We talk more than half and hour with a social science proffesor, this guy was awesome a lot of passion and professionalism to teach,
This day I rested and thought If my son don’t have an affordable opportunity to attend University, the community College is a excelent place to start.
Ps: During CC open house they give us nice bags with the CC name print on it, we use the bags to carry on our soccer shoes to the games. No shame at all.
Some of the community colleges in the state that I live in now, as an adult, have more and better course offerings than the small 4 year college that I attended for my first two years as a commuter when I was a young student. I would have loved the opportunity to spend that time at a great community college like the ones we have here.
Also, the community colleges here have agreements with the state 4 year public schools (two of which are highly ranked and very competitive), and a student can be automatically admitted to the state school of their choice if they have a certain GPA (which varies by school, but all are completely achievable for a dedicated student). I believe they don’t even require an ACT or SAT test score - it’s a guaranteed transfer program. So kids can end up getting degrees from a couple of very selective 4 year colleges without having to compete with thousands of other freshmen for a spot right out of high school. That’s a big plus IMO.
There is no shame whatsoever in taking the path that is right for you.
Why, because I will come out of a (hopefully) UC completely debt free? All the while being exposed to multiple subjects and walks of life? Of course not! However, when I tell my friends that go to Cal-states the schools I’m applying for I often hear, “I wish I would have gone to a community college out of high school and transferred to a better school…”
Be proud of being a CC student!
My daughter is finishing her first semester at CC. She is taking a 5 semester AAS in Graphic Design, so that will be the end and no need to transfer to a four year. We looked at several different programs, and discovered she would be taking as many, or often more, graphic design credits at CC as at a university. And this one has a very good reputation in an up and coming town. We couldn’t see going into tens of thousands of debt for her to spend 2 more years and take a bunch of gen eds she won’t need.
She was top ten in her class and at least one teacher and one fellow church member gave her push back in senior year about her choice so she got a little shy about it. But she still felt she belonged there. Now she is in a flat with her own bedroom and bathroom (not a cement box dorm room!), with 3 other girls who are just like her and new best friends, having a fabulous time and getting to do art and design all the time. She says it feels just like any other college campus. She is happy and will have no debt.
I met some great professors during my stint at CC and managed to get into some really decent schools - USC, UCLA, UCSD, UCB, etc. I just graduated from USC this year - and I managed to do it in slightly under 2 years by taking on some really packed semesters