Majors in community colleges

Transfer Students
1

<p>Does it really matter what you major in during your 2 years at a cc? When you decide to transfer could you start over, should you decide that your original major is not something you want to follow through with?</p>

<p>I am currently a business major at a cc, but I'm thinking about changing to a liberal arts major because I would be able to select from a wider range of courses, not just business oriented courses. Also i'm not 100% sure that business is for me.</p>

<p>Would colleges look at this favorably: a liberal arts major (well rounded) where as any other majors would have taken many courses for their major without really exploring other areas of interest?</p>

<p>OPINIONS??</p>

2

<p>Wow.....Where should I begin.</p>

<p>I came from a CC. They are a load of BS and a period in your life you will try to erase once you graduate.</p>

<p>BTW - Liberal Arts is a close cousin of the Communications major the entire football team gets. This is also just a step up from the Art History major and Dance major as well. It means you spent two to four years of your life studying random stuff that only qualifies you to teach.</p>

<p>Business major at CC and majoring in general at a CC....</p>

<p>Listen just focus on getting the hell out of a CC. They are a waste of time unless you manage to get those straight A's and get into science programs at a higher level Univ. Take all your science pre-reqs as well at a JC because once you sneak errr...transfer to a Univ. you will need them for a career that will make you a buck or two.</p>

3

<p>would you say then, that unless i major in a science-related major it pretty much doesn't matter what my major is at a cc??</p>

4

<p>I believe it's critical that you enter community college with the right intentions. Many students enter with bad attitudes - they ended up there due to grades or finances or parents made them. A lot of people are unhappy and unmotivated. The best step to take is to choose a circle of friends that will inspire you and to take advantage of all the opportunities. Believe it or not, CC is college level. And within a year at a CC, most colleges will not even look at your high school grades.
To get into good schools, you need to do more than go through the motions. You need to get involved in your education. This is especially at the community college level, where your advisers and professors could be responsible for hundreds of students with a diverse set of demands and expectations.</p>

<p>As to your question, if you intend to transfer, your CC major will not of much concern. Remember that many CC started out to serve the local community, not transfers. That's why these majors exist.
Simply meet the course requirements of your prospective schools and major(s) (and MCAT if pre-med). And challenge yourself to join honors, subjects you may be weak at, clubs (heck, start one!), research, etc. Take a biology class focusing on the local river/ocean/park. Take that advanced literature class taught by the retired professor/writer. And so on.</p>

<p>You are responsible for your education at the CC level. I don't know about you, but I like that fact.</p>

5

<p>This is so true.CC is what you make it out to be.It is still of college curriculum.I'm currently a CC student, and I'm taking it real serious.I have a plan to pursue a bachelors after I obtain my associates.</p>

<p>So many resources and help you could receive at a community college, to help you get by.And people fail to realize that.</p>

6

<p>how hard is it to change your major at USC?</p>

7

<p>I spent 2 yrs at a JC and that was way too long. Try and transfer asap.</p>

<p>Choosing between a science and humanities and social science major:</p>

<p>People must realize that they need to seriously research their college major before pursuing it. What you dont want to do is get heavily in debt for a degree thatcant benefit you in some way in your post college life.</p>

<p>Degrees like psych, sociology, dance, music, communciations,english literature and many more really dont lead to a job after a BA. If you want to get a job after a BA plan on teaching until you land yourself at a company that is willing to train you.</p>

<p>I am really advising that you take all your calc, chem and maybe physics because since you dont know what you want to do now these classes will help you later on because you wont have to take them later on. Calc 1,2,3, physic 1,2, chem 1,2,bio 1,2 are generally pre-reqs for Science majors. These take 2 yrs to wrap up then oyu do upper division major specific courses in eng. or chem or whatever. Also once you have these courses you can also apply to med or pharmacy school. And lets say you take these courses but graduate with a philosopy degree but wind up working in engineering. You can always tell them that you have taken physics, calc and chem and that you are only two yrs away from an Eng. degree. This makes you look good even if you have a philosophy degree. Science courses help you out alot. Its also kind fo ridiculous to go to college for 4 yrs and not take calculus or your basic science courses when society generally has a demand for people with this type of back ground.</p>

<p>GPA:</p>

<p>Basically you need to get a high gpa. Over 3.2 at least and have extra curricular activities. A year or two are enough. </p>

<p>Doing something you love:</p>

<p>This is really a by product of our generation. My mom has worked as a secretary or admin office assistant/ accounting for most of her life. She doesnt like it but she had to do it to survive and my Dad hates electronics and construction but he is damn good at it and can earn money by doing it.</p>

<p>Sometimes in life you have to do things you dont want to do and work really hard to survive. Dont by into the belief that if you arent satisfiedyou have to turn your life upside down in order to be happy. Soemtimes you need to work hard and other times you dont. Dont enter the workforce with high expectations. And also be ready to work hard and serious hours to earn your keep.</p>

<p>So where does your college major fit in?</p>

<p>Choosing a college major and a college education is important because it gives you critical thinking skills and helps alleviate ignorance. It also leadsto social mobility. In the end oyu msut decide what type of eprson and life you want to lead. Do you want to teach and work for moderate pay and hopefully have a sef rewarding career? Do you want to be an engineer? A lawyer, doctor, pharmacist? Ask your self these questions. Als ask whether that career is in demand and can sustain your future family or business, house or whatever. Or maybe you want to be an officer in the miltiary. Askyourself what you are going to do when you get out? Will my degree help me? </p>

<p>So I hope this helps.</p>

8

<p>Postbach, you really think that people should just spend their entire lives being miserable working in jobs they absolutely hate?</p>

<p>Of course "sometimes in life you have to do things you don't want to do." But if your entire life is spent working in a field you don't enjoy, hating every moment you show up to your job, I'd call that a recipe for unhappiness, depression and a totally wasted life.</p>

<p>

Ah yes, it's crystal clear that every major you personally don't like is worthless and valueless. Your education and painstaking research which allows you to make these sweeping attacks is...?</p>

9

<p>Another problem w/ Postbach's posts. There is no set GPA you need. A 3.0 is the baseline for some guaranteed transfer programs. For some high-demand majors, you need a 3.5 plus extracurriculars.
Do your best, aim for the best, have a safety. Same process in transfer. Only you're expected to be a mature college student by that point.</p>

10

<p>TO: Postbach</p>

<p>Nobody here needs to get out of community college ASAP here except for you. Obviously, if you hate it and think it isn't truely college and counts for nothing, you are there for the wrong reason, and possibly at the wrong school alltogether (if it truely is that bad.)</p>

<p>To: OP
I am at a community college, just about done with my liberal arts major and transferring as a Jr to UGA. ALL of my college credits count, credit for credit, and class for class for the classes they have equivalents for. The one class that doesn't transfer is intermediate algebra, cause it is considered below college level (hey, I left school after 8th grade so I wanted to take it). For many schools I checked into, the requirement for a junior transfer (60 credits+) and transfers with <60 credits had a huge difference. SO if you don't manage to keep a great GPA, you'll still have a great chance of getting in after completing your associates degree.</p>

<p>Personally, I think there's not a whole lot more that an associates can qualify you for career wise than just a high school education (though one would be more likely to get the job and get paid more than a person with just a high school diploma) so going onto a bachelors is a great choice. I think it is a great idea to switch to liberal arts is a GREAT choice. You may find that some of your college courses don't translate into credit for the same classes at your transfer college of choice, so you would possibly need to take similar courses again anyways (in the more specialized classes). I was lucky, my CC is in a college town, and after bunches of complaints they got together with UVM and made sure their class objectives (requirements) were the same as UVMs. A subsequent side effect of this was that CCVs courses not only transferred directly to UVM, but to many other colleges due to the classes being up to/and above the level of the universities. Before that though, most only transferred class for class to the state school system, and anyone transferring anywhere else for a further degree would have to retake some classes at the new school and stay there longer in turn to earn enough credits for a Bachelors.</p>

<p>I don't know, I just love my CC. It's flexible, there are small classes, and the professors LOVE what they are teaching. It's possible to learn much more there than in big university lectures because asking questions about points of interest can lead into an in depth discussion of subject matter that normally is not introduced until an upper level class. My CC also has not many people just out of high school, and the ones that are are there because they truely want to learn. This creates a great learning environment with minimal distractions, and everyone interacts in the classes because everyone is truely interested on some level. I hope nobody takes Postbach's posts to heart and suddenly decide that having no college is better than CC or that they should jump right into an expensive university when they don't yet feel ready for that.</p>

11

<p>You shouldn't get all upset. I am advocating choosing a major that is in demand and is also rewarding. But I am also letting you know right now that you have to work your way up the ladder. So dont have high expectations. </p>

<p>Also I love how you just attack me. I actually have 2 degrees and am satisfied with my progress. I also have an associates that Im not counting. I am speaking from experience and letting you know that in today's economy certain majors (like Philo, sociology and many more) do not lead to adequate monetary compensation and that you should take this into consideration when applying.</p>

<p>I just love how everyone jumps on my case when reality is quite different. I also like how people that have not even graduated are telling me what its like to have a degree. </p>

<p>Not that there is anything wrong with an opinion but its sort of like the blind leading the blind. A person at a JC telling another at a JC that they should go for that psych or BA, liberal arts degree with little experience of what its like to have that degree. Education is great and I would love to study history forever but the reality is that you will encounter things in your life which will make you put your personal goals aside for some greater goal like helping your parents out when their sick, helping your wife when shes sick and many more things. Do any of you know how many liberal arts grads I know? Psych grads I know? I know a lot. And to say that I know nothing is ridiculous.</p>

<p>I stand by my advice. And actually transfer GPA's can be as low as 2.6 to UC.</p>

<p>But do you really want a graduate school examining your CC transcript and seeing a pattern of poor grades. So go ahead and continue attacking me but I am telling you all the truth. I can bet money on it. This is a sure thing I am telling you. Take a look at the economy right now and ask yourself if that degree in liberal arts will help you out when school districts are laying liberal art majors off yet hiring science majors to teach.</p>

<p>If you don't care to listen then fine. You will see I am telling the truth soon enough. I don't need to win an argument in this forum. The economy will cut your egos down to size soon enough. See you then.</p>

<p>And yes get out of the CC asap. All these CC advocates crack me up when I see Univ. people walking around with 5k in free cash from Grant refunds and paying only 5k in student loans their first and second years. Do any of you know what its like at a University? Really?? I have never heard of any transfer student tell me that they wish they could have stayed longer at their CC. Its strange to hear this.</p>

<p>To the student:</p>

<p>Listen, you sound like you want out of their asap. Follow my advice and check out of the CC and get to that University. Once your in work your butt off and get in a career that you love and pays well. I say this because the economy is circling the drain and this is your shot to get it right before you join all of us in the workforce. good luck.</p>

<p>And for the rest of you enjoy your little fantasy while it lasts the "real world" is heading for you fast.</p>

12

<p>Sorry Postbach, I hate to break it to you but I'm already in the real world. Been there for quite a while now.</p>

<p>I'm a professional public relations consultant fresh off a three-year contract with a championship-winning sports car racing team. I made a bundle of money, traveled across North America, developed a winning reputation and work ethic - and built a network that includes CEOs, top racing drivers and team owners, major auto manufacturer PR reps and journalists from across the country.</p>

<p>I did all of that before I even finished my associate's degree. My resume listed a few years of experience as reporter and editor at one of the nation's top community college student newspapers. I had the talent, my classes gave me the skills and my professor gave me the inspiration. Playing my cards right, got me the job.</p>

<p>I quit because it was time to finish my BA. My old boss wants me back when I'm done.</p>

<p>Fellow alumni of my community college's journalism program are, among other things: Washington Post sportswriter, Yahoo! News sports editor, Sacramento Bee page designer, UCLA Ph.D candidate, Chronicle of Higher Education staff writer.</p>

<p>Fantasy? No. Reality.</p>

13

<p>Postbach, you're a joke. I may grant you the liberal arts / practical degree stuff.
But where did the OP hint at wanting to leave early?
Why are you so adverse to CCs?
They provide great value for a great many people. Many fine people take advantage of the opportunities to become successful. And may be a great place for a student that is undecided about their major and 4-year bachelor-granting institution.
People are jumping on you because you're hating on CC's without much justification.</p>

14

<p>Sorry, I don't see how any of these replies negates anything I have said. All my advice is dead on. And if your one of the ones that makes it before getting a BA then all the better. If you can afford to get that degree because you already have alot of money then fine. I love how this all of a sudden becomes an I'm better than you match.</p>

<p>And I'm not hating on CC's. I'm just saying a University affords more opportunities than most CC's. I don't see how you can compare a CC's resources to a Universities resources. I know prof.'s may be sometimes better at CC's but most of the time Universities are the place to be. </p>

<p>And I still stand by my advice. And I love to see that all this somehow qualifies me a s a "joke."</p>

<p>There is nothing wrong with giving this advice to an undergrad.</p>

15

<p>You're advice is to go to a 4-year school because they offer more resources? HAHAHAHA.
Did you even go to community college? Most community colleges today have expansive libraries, computer labs, rec centers (restricted hours of course), active clubs, writing and math tutoring centers, etc.</p>

<p>Community colleges serve both the community and 4-year transfer students well.
If a student is not completely prepared (financially, academically, emotionally) to go to college, attending community college is a smart bet.
If a student is unsure if college is right for them, community college offers a glimpse.
If a student is unsure what they want to major in or where they want to go to school, they can fulfill their GE credits and pursue a number of different fields,</p>

<p>Your suggestion that people jump at the chance to attend any 4-year school is a poor one. I've known students that jumped to prestigious schools like Carnegie Mellon and Boston College out of HS and dropped out because it was a bad fit for them. They came back, went to a CC and transferred into the schools and programs of their choice and liking. I've known students that only got into the 5th or 6th best public in their state, they went to CC, proved themselves to be disciplined, smart and involved and are now at the state's flagship or at a private.
STUDENTS MUST PICK THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR THEM, and for the first two years, it doesn't have to be a 4-year school.</p>

16

<p>So let me ask you this?</p>

<p>Right now would you rather be at a JC or a University?</p>

<p>Or do you suggest all students go and find themselves at their local JC? ha ha</p>

<p>I agree, not all are cut out for a university. Some fail out but I think most of us do not have the luxury to go back to mommy and daddy and ask them to spend more money on them while they find themselves (rolls eyes). </p>

<p>And I like how no one ever gives advice of "sticking with it, overcoming and adapting." </p>

<p>Your rationale:
So if I don't like this University, no problem, I will just cause my parents a greater headache and go back home and work part time, go to a JC and transfer to a University (when Im older) I will fall in love with and find myself? Or maybe I will find myself at my local JC?? Who knows??</p>

<p>I actually think the longer students spend at a JC the worst off they are in the long run. Don't make a career out of getting a BA/BS degree. sheesh. </p>

<p>Get on with it and get it done, but make sure the first time you try and DO IT RIGHT. If not you can go post-bach or retrain in another field. This is of course you have the resources.</p>

<p>Ok Im waiting for those mean rebuttals and finger pointing at me. Where are they??</p>

17

<p>Community college is so cheap in California, you have the luxury of trying things and finding out what you like and don't like.</p>

<p>Sign up for an extra course in a field you might be interested in, and if you end up not particularly liking it, you're out... $60, plus whatever the textbook costs.</p>

<p>If you really don't know what you're interested in, it's a LOT cheaper to experiment at a community college than at a four-year school.</p>

18

<p>Thats a good point. I will give you that one. =)</p>

19

<p>Hallelujah!</p>

20

<p>People should not jump into a 4-year school that is a bad fit just so they avoid CC. I seriously hope that's not what your suggesting people do.</p>

<p>And while post-baccalaureate may have been the right choice for you, it may not be the best for everyone. I don't get where you're saying post-bachs have more resources. That's the complete opposite.</p>

<p>For people pursuing a graduate degree: the price is very expensive unless one is a TA, which is reserved for those with top test scores and professor recs (so choosing the 4-yr school and major that is right for the student is very important). Medical schools are very competitive and feature people who have been on the premed track since first day freshman year so picking the right program is important. Business schools require work experience so picking the right college/major is important to set one and move up the career ladder.</p>

<p>For people completing a second bachelors: many top colleges don't allow them, but regularly allow CC transfers to matriculate and complete their 1st bachelors. 1st bachelor candidates receive full consideration for federal grants, scholarships and loans whereas a student wanting a second degree must search, beg and finance on their own.</p>

<p>And to your point about getting stuck at CC. Yes, it happens. That's what many people were warning the OP: you need to get involved in your education. You need to make it happen.
But any one can fall into that trap. Some Tier 1 colleges have 4-year grad rates under 60% and 6-yr rates under 70%. Tier 3 and 4, often the option for students considering the CC route, are even worse. Programs deemed practical (like business, engineering, nursing, education, etc.) are particularly known for their drop-out rates. A student will stand an even worse probability of graduating (let alone being able to complete post-bach work) if they're at a school they're not ready for / don't appreciate and/or studying a subject they're not passionate about.</p>