<p>I got into 4 4 year colleges. Evergreen, University of Washington, Western Washington, and Willamette. I didn't get any financial aid for any of them except Willamette and Western in really pathetic amounts, and the best deal would be U.W., with me still living at home. </p>
<p>I mean, my parents are by NO MEANS poor. I have a college fund and all that. I just really don't want them to pay more than they have to. </p>
<p>But lately I just hear so much crappy stuff from people about huge state universities, and they are cutting their budget so much especially in the departments I'm most interested in, I'd be stuck in huge classes the first few quarters(which I have a really hard time in), and I would live at home (if I went to the U.W., my first choice) so I probably wouldn't meet anyone. </p>
<p>I took some classes at C.C., and I was really surprised about how much the teachers (well, except one obviously was just doing it for money but it was a 1 credit class) REALLY loved what they taught, how small the classes were, and how challenging the classes were. The only problem I had was most of the students weren't very engaged, but that isn't any better at the U.W. for the first few years from what I've heard... plus, I could always transfer.</p>
<p>basically, I just want to know if it's at all common for people to choose community colleges over relatively prestigious 4 year colleges, or if it's usually just people who can't afford to go to those colleges or have crappy grades.... cuz I spent (wasted..) MOST of this year applying to colleges.</p>
<p>It’s fairly common. I have a friend who’s in a similar situation. She got into the flagship state U’s engineering program, but wasn’t able to attend because of her familys finances. She’s going to a community college for two years, then transferring. It really is a good idea, especially if you don’t do well in lecture type classes.</p>
<p>I was accepted to Pitt-Johnstown during fall, but after receiving my financial aid package I decided to withdrawal. I will graduate from high school with a 4.0 gpa but after considering the amount of debts that will accumulate during my 4 years of stay, CC was a better choice. My plan is to obtain an associate’s degree in accounting and complete my required general education classes needed for the first two-years of bachelor’s degree in a Uni. Afterwards, I’ll probably transfer to pitt main or some other college that has forensic accounting program and complete the last 2 years of the bachelor’s degree. It was an extremely hard decision for me to choose a CC over university. My brother attends a private school and my parents expect nothing less from me but after reading about increasing tuition and student loans I changed my mind. Even now I’m trying to decide if I made a good choice. I know that there are slackers who attend CC from high school due to low grades but it all depends on if you make an effort and succeed. By the time I leave CC and transfer credits I won’t have any loans to pay off and it’ll be very satisfying.
Total costs of Pitt-Johnstown is a little over 21k but HA CC is only 2-6k. Completing required general education classes are the same no matter which school you decide to attend. In my part, it’s probably a wise choice to not spend so much in the first two-years of a university trying to complete general courses. The experience of attending school away from home might be the greatest time of your life but it all depends on what choice you make.</p>
<p>You are wise to consider your level of debt in the pursuit of a 4 year degree (and it may take more than 4 years to get it, so your debt level will be even higher). Debt leaves you with fewer options upon graduation. </p>
<p>An associates degree is a fine way to save thousands of dollars. If you do well and get into the honor society (PTK), you may find scholarships available to you when you transfer to a university.</p>
<p>Go to the CC and ask about the articulation agreements they have with area universities. This can help you to decide if this is the best option for you.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Hi, I am in a heavy dilemma right now. I’m an international student and have a similar story with bitsyblatt. I’ve been accepted to the university of my choice - BU. But, of course, the tuition is ridiculously high (well, that’s what I think) and I’ve failed to get a scholarship (there are very few scholarships offered by my government).</p>
<p>It’s not that my family can’t afford the 4 year university. With my relatives and family savings I would most likely get through. But it’s gonna be pretty tough.
And yes, I don’t want to burden my parents with the high tuition when there’s a much cheaper alternative available.</p>
<p>It was a pretty tough ride to get to the university I want though… Should I just throw away all the hard work and start over when I transfer?
I’m considering shoreline community college in WA. I’m thinking of majoring in biology, biochemistry, or nutritional science/food science.</p>
<p>Miriabilis,</p>
<p>If the truth is that BU would be a hideous struggle, and would wipe out your family’s savings, then you are smart to start out at a more affordable place. Just stay in touch with the transfer counselors at your community college so that you can be set up to transfer into a good four-year college or university.</p>
<p>If you are headed into nutrition or food science, BU probably would not be a good choice anyway. The better programs in those fields are in the large public universities such as Washington State U, Oregon State U, or UC Davis.</p>
<p>Hey guys - I’m from WA as well ;)</p>
<p>I’m sorta in the same situation, but not quite.</p>
<p>I didn’t get into UW this year but I got into WSU and the U of Idaho (those three were the only ones where I applied).</p>
<p>WSU offers me two awards that would pay for my full tuition, but I’d have to pay the rest in loans.</p>
<p>I’m currently going to a CC because of the Running Start program, but I started in my senior year so I’ll only have one year completed and would get my AA in Spring 2012.</p>
<p>I’m pursuing a double major (Political Science and Psychology) and I want to go to law school afterwards.</p>
<p>Right now, however, I really don’t know how to decide. :(</p>
<p>If you need any more encouragement to go the cc route and then transfer to a 4 year university, read this: <a href=“College Loans Weigh Heavier on Graduates - The New York Times”>College Loans Weigh Heavier on Graduates - The New York Times;
<p>It’s quite sobering.</p>