<p>Everyone calls these "two-year" colleges, but looking at the work load it looks like it will take me at least 3 years to finish all the general ed classes if I am taking 4 classes a semester. Does anyone have any experience with starting at a CC? How many classes did you take at a time?</p>
<p>It's a two year college because they only offer "undergrad" classes (freshman and sophomore). It took me 2.5 years from a cc to finish all the prereqs and general ed.</p>
<p>There is nothing inherently wrong with starting at a CC. I started at one and have as much or more success at my university as others who started here to begin with. This includes finding internship/co-op opportunities. When I was at CC I took a lot of credits per term, in fact, my last term there I took 21 credits, meaning 7 classes. While I think that is outside of the norm, keep in mind that most CC classes are not very hard to earn good grades in, at least compared to university classes. I did learn the concepts and material just as well as anyone going to a university, but at a CC you dont have to deal with the ridiculous curves that many universities have, especially in engineering. If you make sure to at least take 15 credits per term you should be able to finish in two years. If you are behind in some areas like math or English, you may have to take more credits per term in order to graduate within the two year time span.</p>
<p>Umm... "undergrad" courses are courses intended for students who have yet to graduate with a bachelor's degree. That includes Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior courses. </p>
<p>A two-year college is a college in which an Associate's degree is the highest awarded degree. It is differentiated from a four-year college, which offers a Bachelor's degree or higher as the highest awarded degree.</p>
<p>As for starting at a CC, there's nothing wrong with it, and it often makes the most sense financially, but it does make things more difficult.</p>
<p>Usually, students take the general requirements courses and electives at the CC. This means that when they transfer to a major college, the former CC students have to take several major classes in the same semester. Since major classes tend to be more time consuming than electives, and because the CC students have to adjust to live at the major college quickly, they often have a difficult first few semesters. Add in that the students might not have many friends at the major college (particularly if it's far away from home / the CC) and that the former CC students probably missed two semesters of potential internships, and it makes for a tough life.</p>
<p>But with hard work, it's certainly do-able. Those are just some hurdles to keep in mind.</p>
<p>GP is right about the hurdles. I forgot to mention that there will likely be some classes that will not transfer, especially if you go out of state. This can mean a longer time at the university once you get there, which offsets the cost advantage of going to a CC to begin with. I finished at CC fairly quickly, 1.5 years, but I am still only considered a 2nd semester sophomore at the university due to classes that didnt transfer, etc. And, he is right about getting used to the university atmosphere, things are much different and it does take time to adjust. My grades didnt suffer tremendously, but I do feel that my grades this semester will be considerably higher than last.</p>
<p>"When I was at CC I took a lot of credits per term, in fact, my last term there I took 21 credits, meaning 7 classes."</p>
<p>Was there time to work, play sports, or do other activities at the same time?</p>
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Umm... "undergrad" courses are courses intended for students who have yet to graduate with a bachelor's degree. That includes Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior courses.
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<p>He meant underclassmen, I'm pretty sure you picked that up...</p>
<p>Vincent</p>
<p>If you want to play sports, work, and be involved with other activities, I would advise taking around 15 credits. This will allow you to finish in a timely manner while still participating in other college activities. Personally, I was able to work and also was an officer in a club during that time, but it was incredibly stressful. Seven classes is a lot of stuff to keep track of, even if the classes are fairly easy to do well in. Also, 21 credits was the most I ever took, meaning that other terms I took 15-18. Make sure that your place of employment is flexible too if you want to attempt anything like I did. </p>
<p>Another thing to keep in mind:
I would try to finish up at CC as quickly as possible and then transfer. This is because there are many more opportunities to get involved in school activities at a university. I would put emphasis on finishing your time at a CC, and then worry about school clubs and sports once you get to your university. Even if you are on a team at your CC that you wont be able to play at the university level, there are many club sports which are highly competitive once you get to your university - so you will still be able to participate.</p>
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Umm... "undergrad" courses are courses intended for students who have yet to graduate with a bachelor's degree. That includes Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior courses.
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<p>I meant lower-division courses.</p>
<p>When you say "finishing CC", you mean with an AA? Why not just check the university's transfer requirements, just take the classes that will transfer, then transfer without an AA? </p>
<p>That seems to make more sense than taking extra classes that won't transfer.</p>
<p>Vincent, are you on an articulated agreement?If so, the agreement's curriculum will make sure that the transition will meet with the university's required courses for entry.</p>
<p>personally i think going to cc was a great decision for me. i've saved so much money compared to those whom i know that went straight to the 4 years. in fact, i've seen so many familiar faces after my first year in college that decided to leave the university and go to the cc i'm going to. and the common reason was: money. why pay more for something you can get wayyyy cheaper. for example, i pay $30 for a parking permit. the local 4 year college parking permit costs $180. BIG difference. and thats just for a parking permit. dont get me wrong, i'm definitely not saying 4 years are to be avoided. its all about personal views. but obviously, cc is the best bet if you want to save money...especially in this uncertain economy we are in.</p>
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why pay more for something you can get wayyyy cheaper.
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<p>The biggest drawback I see is that at a CC, you can't get involved with undergraduate research or internships until after you transfer. If you start these things in your junior year or later, you're already well behind the curve. Someone else that went straight through had 3 summers for internship opportunities, while as a CC student, you have one (assuming 2 years CC + 2 years university).</p>
<p>So you're paying more for a university, but you're getting more options, services, and opportunities.</p>
<p>I'm not saying that a CC is a bad idea, but it's certainly not an obvious idea.</p>