I am a current junior and am in the process of selecting courses for next year and have two options for mathematics. I’ll be taking multivariable calculus and differential equations and can either take it via a state university or a community college. I was just wondering whether it makes a difference which option I choose as far as college admissions is concerned (just so you know, the community college is probably quite a lot cheaper).
Both colleges should transfer the same credits when you go to your actual university. I’m fairly confident that colleges would accept both equally. So theres not really a difference in terms of college admissions.
Taking it at a State university would most likely provide a better learning experience, while a community college class tends to be less rigorous and just easier in general. If you believe that you will need to be able to know multivariable calculus and differential equations well in your major and career of interest, then it may be better to choose the State university, as you will learn the material better. If you’re taking the class just to get credit, community college would probably be better.
Other big factors to consider are:
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The time the class takes place. You should be able to see a schedule of classes at the university and college websites. You want to make sure they offer a time that you know you can attend and fits your schedule.
The professor of the class. Along with the time and day of the classes, what professor is teaching it should be information that you can find on either school’s website. You can google the professors name to see if one is particular bad or particularly good. Their rating may obviously impact your decision.
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If you still have trouble deciding after considering everything above, then community college may be better since its closer? and cheaper.
It doesn’t make a difference.
I would say most people take multivariable calculus first, although I didn’t and it was fine.
If you’re concerned about transfer credit, you should email all the colleges you’re interested in and figure out their policies. Some private colleges are really weird about transferring courses.
17Angel- thanks so much for your response; that’s very helpful. Both are actually online (but one is online administered via the state university, and the other is online administered via the community college). I do want to have a solid knowledge of both before beginning college (I’m a prospective math/physics double major) but am happy to supplement my learning in either of those courses with additional studying to further solidify my knowledge of the material. Community college is potentially half the cost (or less) of the state university, so that’s a fairly big factor. So in many ways, the community college would be a better option, and my concern comes down to whether the community college will look less rigorous in the eyes of admissions officers.
Not really. Online courses are hard to transfer no matter where they’re from, so I would recommend the community college.
Okay, thanks halcyonheather; most of the universities I’m looking at probably wouldn’t accept transfer credit anyway, so that’s not so much of an issue (many of them would simply make me take the final exam of the course I want to skip). So I’d like to have some kind of a graded course on my transcript but am prepared to take final exams, etc. of the courses I want to place out of once I get to college.