<p>My first year of college, I attended a small, liberal arts college in Maine. I liked the atmosphere, students, etc. However, the school gave me only a couple thousand in my financial aid package this year (after over $36,000 last year). My parents can't float me each year if I stay at the school. They want me to finish a year out a community college instead while they save, and then I'll transfer to a state school. I feel really dismayed that I leave behind my friends, being on my own on campus, and the school's impressive name. Is it really bad to go to community college and then a state school and have good grades or is it better to stay at my current school, suffer it out financially, and get....maybe "average" grades? I have to admit I was very average at my school...not bad but not especially superior. How does this look for potential grad schools? Also, what should I expect at community college? I'm going to miss my friends and freedom of the campus....now I'm stuck for a year at HOME! =( I love science and want to study public health or medicine in general. The state school has a better science program than my current school, but what about "school name" status? Doesn't overall GPA count most of all? </p>
<p>Thank you guys!</p>
<p>P.S. Anything I can do while in community college that can really help me stand out?</p>
<p>The 2+2 program via a community college is one of the most cost-effective routes to take, plus the CC does not show up on the diploma. I am doing this myself as I abhor debt.</p>
<p>State schools are respectable enough; I would not be worried.</p>
<p>If going from a little ivy to a CC, you will likely be a big fish in a small pond, so do not worry about standing out.</p>
<p>" Anything I can do while in community college that can really help me stand out?"</p>
<p>If you mean stand out in regards to resume building, I don’t know. If you mean for transfer, your grades will really be the thing that’s important, not much of anything else.</p>
<p>If you can, try to get an interesting job or internship while you’re at the CC. It might help to keep yourself challenged, and it’s not bad for the whole resume thing, either. I’ve heard that internships for a semester or school year (as opposed to the summer) are slightly less competitive because the applicant pool is smaller.</p>
<p>And don’t worry–there are some great teachers at community colleges. Go in with a positive attitude, do your best in your classes, and maybe join a few campus organizations, and you could have a really great year.</p>
<p>With your interests in public health and medicine, you might try to find an internship or shadowing program at your local hospital. Or county/state public health clinic. Some serious hours there could eventually really help your med school apps.</p>
<p>As suggested above, concentrate on keeping a great GPA at the CC and state U, prep well for the MCATS or GRE, and you could finish at a top grad or med school.</p>
<p>When I was in community college, I wrote for the paper, did rotary, was a chairperson on the student activities board (charity), volunteered regularly, was in phi theta kappa, I worked, and I interned. And I got good grades. I enjoyed myself despite taking a while to get over the fact that I was at a community college in the first place, and I got into all the schools I applied to. It was lonely and boring at community college so I kept busy, which I think turned out to be a good thing for my transfer admissions. You’ll want to keep as busy as you can while maintaining your grades. For me, community college was a good experience because while most of the classes were far too easy for me, I had the opportunity to explore my other interests and build experience which carried over well and prepared me for my next steps.</p>