I’m not sure if people are allowed to ask this on here (sorry I’m new), but has anyone on here attended community college in New Jersey (Preferably Bergen Community College)? How is it? (I’m seeing mixed reviews about the place)
Thank you.
You are always going to see mixed reviews about community colleges because of the wide range of types/abilities of students at a school with noncompetitive admissions. I lived close to Bergen growing up, and members of my family taught there. The huge monolithic main building has rather brutalist architecture, but the result is that it tends to be a short walk between classes. Bergen has a large selection of courses, and many of the faculty have been there for a long time, so it ought to be a find place to start out.
@ALF
Thank you so much for your response!
If I were to be honest, it is likely that I will attend community college due to my family’s difficult financial situation.
I would love to attend either Rutgers or an Ivy League school after C.C, therefore, would it be possible if you could give me some input as to how the teachers are? And whether or not there were an abundant amount of students that went off to top tier schools?
Thank you!
A significant number of Bergen grads transfer to Rutgers. According to a 2015 survey of Bergen grads, 18% transferred to Rutgers (35% to Montclair State, 17% to William Patterson). None of the surveyed students transferred to an Ivy League university.
While it is possible to transfer to an Ivy League or other top-tier school from a community college, the odds are decidedly not in your favor. Ivy League schools reject students with straight-A high school grades and top test scores, simply because so many such students apply. It is great to have such a goal, but realize that you should definitely have a ‘Plan B’.
I no longer know specific faculty members at BCC, so I really can’t help you there.
My advice would be to join the Honors College and absolutely kick ass in your classes. Professors are one part of a good education, but the biggest factor is YOU! Put in the effort to get to know your professors, show up early, stay late, ask questions, really engage them and you’ll be amazed at the results. Show up late, sleep in class, don’t pay attention or ask questions and well, that result is pretty predictable.