<p>I'm going to a CC and then my state university. My grades are good thus far, however, I don't want my institution to be frowned upon.</p>
<p>Well, yes, they probably will be - most grad programs are looking for a certain amount of academic rigour, and that is not the selling point of most CC’s. However, it is also true that most grad programs more heavily consider your major courses and your last two years (or so) of school - if you transfer to your state university by your junior year I do not think your time in the CC would have much impact at all. If you graduate from your CC, then I think you will have a hard time getting into grad school.</p>
<p>Oh, one quick check - many programs must be accredited before grad schools will consider them. Find out the appropriate accreditation board for your field, and see if your CC is accredited. If so, the grad programs may well consider it acceptable.</p>
<p>As long as you take rigorous, advanced courses at your state university and do well, your CC courses won’t factor in. Most programs don’t care about how well applicants did in introductory courses; they care about upper level ones. Your biggest disadvantage will be a lack of research opportunities while at your CC. </p>
<p>Read Grad Admissions 101 if you haven’t already to get an idea now of what you need to do to prepare for grad school applications. Even if you don’t go to grad school right out of college, you’ll want to make sure you have the necessary background.</p>
<p>Community Colleges do not grant bachelor’s degrees so you cannot apply to graduate school directly from a CC. I wouldn’t worry so much about transferring from a CC because you will still have to spend at least 2 additional years at your 4-year institution, which should be enough time to build up research experience, make good connections with your professors, and take the upper-level courses necessary to graduate with the appropriate degree. Just make sure you’re active in research and taking a solid course load.</p>
<p>Going to a CC is not a bad decision. It’s cost effective and convenient (especially for non-traditional students). They are accredited through the same process and agencies as 4-year institutions. This is why CC credits can transfer to 4-year institutions, why CC students are eligible for government issued financial aid and why CC graduates can find employment (generally speaking).</p>