I am debating taking honors courses at my community college, but would like to know if anyone can speak to the difficulty a community college (very weak cc/ bottom 10%). My other dilemmas are that most (nearly all) of the honors students are sophomores due to the fact that almost none of the students pass the ACT requirement to enter initially (I do) and I am a bit worried about being the outsider (yes its college I know but I’m guessing with the size of the school most sophomores are already going to know each other). Also because its small, there aren’t many classes to choose from in Honors and I have a lot already filled with AP classes from high school so I may be forced into taking things I don’t want to.
The main perks would be that if I later transfer to the accompanying university (which also isn’t ranked very well, save the medical field which I am not entering) I would have a full scholarship plus books (so long as I maintain a decent GPA). Then there is also priority scheduling which is a plus and the better familiarity with faculty and staff which seeing as I want to be in numerous leadership clubs wouldn’t be bad.
Overall what I am asking is: Is Honors at a CC worth it?
YES. It is worth it. Top universities sometimes look down at CC students because they don’t think their classes are at the same level as the transfers from current university students. Taking honors classes shows that you can and are willing to put in the extra effort and will be able to survive at top universities once you get there.
I can’t speak for the CC you will be attending, but at my CC honors classes aren’t really that much more work IMO. My calculus honors classes are just 10 more homework assignments (which are much harder than the regular ones, but still do able). My political science honors classes is just an additional research paper due with the final research paper, and my English honors courses is just additional sources in each essay.
If you are nervous about the classes, my advice would be to meet with the honors counselor and talk to them about your concerns.
But overall, yes, honors courses are defiantly worth taking. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me as I am very involved with the honors program at my CC.
Definitely take the Honors courses. The benefits are good and the classes aren’t onerous, they’ll just prepare you better for a 4-year (which sounds like your goal - “regular” classes at bottom 10-30%s CCs tend to be remedial gen ed or meant for the vocational programs, so not academically rigorous enough.)
Plus being with Honors Sophomores will keep you on track to transfer, which few students manage to do, especially if the CC is weak - the challenge and emulation will be good for you socially. In colleg,e it’s not about age, it’s about preparation, drive, and achievement level.
But why are you planning on a CC ( a weak one at that) if you have a decent ACT score and Ap credit? And why are you already planning to go to a mediocre public when there’s UT Knoxville, if your academics are on par?
IF you are willing to put in the extra work and work harder than you planned to, (for the same grade), then the distinction really is worth it. Remember to follow through on that though, most importantly.
Anan- I am definitely ready to put in the time and effort as long as the reward is worth it!
Myo- Thanks for the Advice, I am very limited financially, however my family is not (120k a year). Because my family does not contribute I took the free CC program TN offers (I have scholarships that cover books and will room at home because of close proximity). And that mediocre college is more of a safety seeing that once again it would allow me to graduate debt free whereas UT-Knox while I am a fit for would not offer me much in the way of transfer money. Now say I blow the CC out of the water and graduate with a 4.0 in Honors, my plans would change (The only person from our CC ever to go to Ivy league was a 4.0 Honors grad that went on to columbia). If some big college offers (and I mean big) than I will more than likely reverse my decision on debt and just go for the reputation.
You’re wise and very mature for this decision, which must have been difficult. In this case, yes, definitely take the Honors courses, and aim for a 4.0 as well as involvement in research with professors. Seek out who does research and see where you can go from there. Contact department chairs at the community college in subjects you’re good at. Present your stats, your skills, your willingness to start this summer if need be (hopefully you’d be able to do this and work).
UT Knoxville would be worth a little debt (if you don’t take federal loans your first two years, you’d be allowed to have the $27,000 that are good for 4 years, for your last two years). Most importantly, some students have found that a small branch college often doesn’t really “open doors” and blocks them due to limited offerings and poor reputation. You’d be better off going to UTK or another university - there are LOTS of excellent universities between a local, mediocre branch campus, and the Ivy League.
Another possibility, but one that may not be optimal for you, is to take a gap year and work, raise your scores (can you get to a 1400 CR+M?) then apply for all the full ride scholarships, both automatic and competitive, that are out there. Those are good for 4 years and in some cases (Howard, for instance), even cover the cost of books. In the end, the 4 years would end up costing less than 2 free years at CC + full costs at a public university. These merit scholarships are NOT available to transfers.
What happened to you is what I feared for the TN idea - parents who latch on the “free” part without regards to the student’s academic needs, and then disinvest of the rest. :s Many 100% need schools would have been interested in a student from Tennessee, but they would still have expected a parent contribution. I’m very sorry and you’re doing the best with what’s been handed to you. My hat to you.
Thanks for being so understanding! I have no problem with the free CC system because even if the cc wasn’t free through the program it would have been with my gpa/act combination. If it is a miniscule amount of debt I would look into UTK its just so hard to way it against a free lesser school.
I’m not really into the year off thing
I do plan to work through school (Looking at Walgreens, Vitamin Shoppe, Barnes and Noble)
I do have a few other schools I could Use your opinion on
Appalachian State is between local branch and state branch (It’s on NC side but living on the border I could maybe get state tuition)
UVA is another because of its prestige (Very good national school, though might not be on ivy level) if I could get a good scholly
I would estimate App State to be roughly the level of UTK on average, but with a lesser concentration at the top.
UVA is in another category altogether, it’s considered a “public Ivy” and they’re supposed to meet need, although I don’t know if they would for transfer students. You’d need 3.75-3.8 in honors courses though.
In a sense, I’m glad this system is in place and you can use it since your parents won’t contribute. And I’m impressed with how mature you are about this all. (No tantrum like the kid whose parents make $325,000 and have 5 cars; s/he was complaining because they weren’t eligible for financial aid :p. No I’m not kidding.)
You might want to email UVA and ask whether they meet need and/or have merit scholarships for students who apply as community college transfes from Tennessee.