<p>For those of you attending community college, or who just have general advice, how do you approach this scenario. As many of my peers are starting to get back acceptance letters and discussing their futures, I generally get dragged in. While I don't want to publicly admit that I can't afford anything else, no I am not eligible for federal or private loans either, I don't enjoy my peers assuming that I am heading to community college because of low test scores/aptitude. </p>
<p>Sorry if I'm coming off as pretentious or whiny.</p>
<p>Just say that you are going to community college for 2 years then transferring. So many people go this route, and there is nothing to be ashamed of.</p>
<p>At least you have done the math and figured out that community college is your best choice at this point. </p>
<p>Usually young people are so busy talking about themselves and their plans they have little time to listen to others. Be pleased you have been a careful consumer.</p>
<p>Simply name the school you are going to attend. Hang out on the parents forum around break time and you’ll see lots of posts from kids who aren’t cutting it at that “top” college or university (still trying to figure out what that is, by the way). Some, although certainly not all or even most, of these kids who are bragging now will be singing a different tune a year from now. Go to the fin aid forum to see how hard it is to face the reality that one Can’t afford the dream school. Financial prudence is something you can be proud of. </p>
<p>You made the right decision for yourself and anybody who looks down his nose at you for doing so is the one who should be ashamed of himself.</p>
<p>We said that our D is being kind enough to help us save money so she can go to dream U. She did transfer after 3 semesters to dream U and will be graduating WITHOUT debt! You are wise to go to CC and not incur crushing debt while you get your requirements out of the way and figure out what you REALLY want to study. You have made an excellent choice. </p>
<p>Many of the SAME instructors taught D at CC who taught the exact same material at flagship U at 10x the tuition. She loved the smaller classes, excellent food (culinary program at her CC cooked gourmet food), free parking, and more convenient location 10 minutes from our home. It has worked well for our family and saved us A LOT of $$!</p>
<p>“I was accepted to (Stanford, MIT, whatever school) so I’ll be transferring there after two years at (community college).” There’s nothing to be ashamed of, but to avoid nosy probing, quickly say “And where are YOU going?”</p>
<p>I feel lucky to be in Florida where state tuition is so low and we have bight futures to supplement the money for tuition. It’s not as big of a deal here to pay for going to a university compared to, say, California.</p>
<p>I’d suggest telling people that you’ll be transferring in 2 years (less with AP and CLEP). Or just tell the person who asks the school you plan on transferring to.</p>
<p>You didn’t say whether you are planning to stop after a CC degree or go on to a four-year institution after that – or maybe you don’t know yet. You have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re making a good financial decision and will meet lots of CC students who are making the same decision that you are for financial reasons.</p>
<p>Around here (as in much of the country), many students are going to CC for two years then transferring to a state university. Our university system has a great transfer-in program, and more students are choosing that route so they can live at home, maybe work a job, and save money. This includes future engineers, computer programmers, and teachers. They are bright and highly motivated.</p>
<p>You will also meet some people who plan to get a technical two-year degree, then go to work. Some of these are the people who service my car, appliances, or HVAC system – jobs that can’t be outsourced. I’d say that they made a smart decision as well.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the responses, I really do appreciate it.</p>
<p>@Crizello,
I just feel a bit like that line has been overused by underachievers and discredited the validity behind it.</p>
<p>@AHSTeacher,
Thanks, and yeah originally I was hoping to attend a four-year university without getting into any debt. Then when things turned, I figured maybe it might be worth it to get into a bit of debt (Id need about 20 grand for the entire four years at a pretty decent public school near me where Ive already been given half tuition scholarship). I was bummed to find out I am not eligible for ANY loans. @ordinarylives,
Thank you for the response. @HImom,
Eh I guess that works for some people, but Im really not looking forward to community college. The courses, I would have been taking my freshmen year, go beyond the scope of my community college. Ill essentially be stuck repeating courses Ive already gotten credit for. @sg12909,
Thank you for the response. Now I wish I had bothered to apply to some of the schools that were mediums for me, which I initially avoided knowing I couldnt afford lol. @AeroMike, I just checked the tuition on FSU. The school I was hoping to go to, is slightly cheaper than FSU but still out of reach for me. Thank you for the response. @Marisan,
To be honest I had things planned out, rather detailed plans actually. I originally planning to obtain my BS in engineering three years, Ill be walking in with almost 50 credits (if they all transfer). I was then hoping to go into a PHD program or professional school, while obtaining my MBA. Now I just dont have that motivation. I just dont see myself able to cope with all those bills and frankly Im more concerned with how Ill be providing food and shelter for myself next year. Ive been debating with myself whether or not community college is a smart choice for me as Ill be struggling financially even if Im at a CC and I know I wont be satisfied with the material offered. My main reason for wanting to go to a four-year was to be able to take advanced math and science courses, subjects I enjoy, and knowing I would be able to make a comfortable living. Now that that is off the table, I just dont see community college as a substitute. I could always go into a CS related field, without a degree, and make a slightly decent living while being able to research the material I enjoy independently.</p>
<p>As the proud owner of an AA degree myself, I see nothing wrong with your decision. I graduated near the top of my class, so I’m sure no one assumed I couldn’t cut it academically – and who cares if they did? Just say that I’m going to Local CC for two years to save money and then transfer somewhere to get an engineering degree. I can’t imagine anyone would be so crass as to try to tell you you’re making a bad decision.</p>
<p>Why would you need to do that? If you have already completed the courses (through taking them while still in high school, or with AP credit that the community college and your transfer target universities accept), then there is no reason to repeat them, whether you do to community college or directly to a four year school.</p>
<p>Or do you mean to say that you have already completed all of the lower division college courses for your major while still in high school, so that you would have jumped right into upper division courses if you went to a four year school?</p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand the rational of taking classes you’ve already taken if that is what you are saying but back to the original question. I agree with Crizello, just say “I’m planning on attending blank blank CC and then transfer to blah blah to finish my degree.” Your degree is from the place you finish not where you start.</p>
<p>Yea, our S told folks he’d go to the highest bidder as well (he came close, but still cost us more out of pocket than some of his other options).</p>
<p>I also attended cc for 2 years. I was fortunate in that many good students (I was one of them) in my area attended that school before transferring so there was no stigma. </p>
<p>OP - You mention that you don’t want to go to the cc. I didn’t either. My “dream school” at that time was my state flagship. But I decided that since I was going to cc, I was going to like it. Guess what? I did.</p>
<p>Yes, it sounds as if financial concerns are paramount right now in your life. I would consider taking part time classes at a local university or CC; you could work part time as well. Alternatively, many colleges offer evening classes and that would allow you to work full time. Sounds like you have a good idea about what you want to major in and are willing to do the work. So in that sense you may be well ahead of most of your friends. Unless you are in some sort of rush, I would go the part time or evening route until you have the financial end under control.</p>