<p>I was accepted into a couple of 4-year universities. But as the time has come closer to decide where to go, i'm becoming more indecisive. I've become more unsure of what I want to study and thought about attending cc for my first two years. I used to dread the idea of cc and said I wouldn't be the one to go to one. But learning about the pros have opened up my eyes.</p>
<p>In an ironic twist, I mentioned this option to my mother and she just gave me a blank stare. My mom is paying for my education, but the guilt of financial issues, my uncertainties, and my long relationship of 3 years (last thing i'm concerned about), is leaving me on the fence of where to go. Comming from a middle class, my mom is a first generation immigrant and has made it her lifelong goal to pursue whatever education her children want. I'm her first child, and person in my family, that has this possibility of the 4-year university experience. For some reason, she seems very uneasy for me to go to a cc.</p>
<p>I'm confused about what I want. I have dreamed of that 4-year experience, but I'm thinking of finanical matters in place for my mother with no idea what I want to major. I know the final decision is up to me. What should I do?</p>
<p>weigh the pros and cons of both a U and a CC.</p>
<p>go over both with your mom. make a decision youre both comfortable with.
help her understand that a CC is cheaper, but also make her aware of the cons. </p>
<p>It honestly kind of depends on where you got in. For example: I went to a community college in Fullerton, CA, right next to Cal State Fullerton. I got my general education classes out of the way, I had the same quality of education that I would have received there (even the same faculty, in many cases), and I paid a fifth of the tuition. If you were in a specialized program (say, a BFA in acting), I’d say yes, it’s really important to have a four-year college experience. Or if you got into an Ivy League school… GO! But if you’re not sure what you want to do, you can significantly reduce the financial strain on your parents AND figure out where you want to go (without pressure) by attending a community college. The only disadvantage is, well, the stigma of going to a community college. But honestly? After two extremely successful years in a CC (I’m transferring out in the fall), I think the kids who paid thousands more a year just to go to Cal State Fullerton are the morons. Sorry.</p>
<p>If you are confident in yourself, you will get into those same universities after the community college. If you do join a 4 year Uni you are almost stuck there for four years. In the CC, your mind and mentality may change and you can still pick the same university or a different one. The CC opens more doors than closes and you are not constrained to a major as opposed to when you pick one before attending a university. Joining a university closes more doors than opens, unless you are already sure that is what you want. It is still your job to excel wherever you go.</p>
<p>This might be the real key here. Many immigrants come from countries where there is no equivalent of the US community college. Students either go to a university, or they get a job. If there is the option of a shorter program at a two-year institution, it leads directly to a job rather than allowing for transfer into a university.</p>
<p>“her lifelong goal to pursue whatever education her children want”</p>
<p>This is the other point that you have to get straight about. Can she actually pay for that education for each of her children without getting completely over her head (and yours) in debt? You need to talk with your mother about how your education will be paid for. If she has a ton of money stashed away in college funds for each of the kids in your family, then you don’t have to worry about money and you can go wherever you want to. If your family finances are more limited, you can help her understand the benefits of starting out at your local CC and then transferring. When you get your financial aid packages, be sure to look at them carefully so that you truly understand what is included. There are lots of good ideas on that in the Financial Aid Forum. You (and your mom) might like reading some of the threads there.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation two years ago. My mother was hesitant about me going to a community college thinking I would prolong my stay at CC for 3+ years. That wasn’t the case. I went into community college knowing I wanted to transfer to a UC and am now waiting for acceptances from the schools I applied to. </p>
<p>Community college is a great start and as long as you plan things out carefully academically, the financial aspects will follow suite (in my experience, that is).</p>