When most high-school students dream of college life, they don't think of all the complications and financial binds that come with it. It's graduation season, and I often hear parents sorrowful voices as they mention their child's plans to attend school out of state, or some expensive university. These colleges might be a good choice for some, but it isn't the best choice for most.
It is no secret that college is becoming more expensive. Between 2015 and 2016 the average annual cost of college tuition, fees, room and board was $16,757 for a public institution and $43,065 at a private non-profit institution.
When I was preparing for college I couldn't help but be envious of my classmates who seemed to have a clear idea of where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do because I didn't. I struggled my last year of high school to raise my GPA to a 3.3, and I wasn't very confident that it would snag any beefy scholarships. The only thing I was guaranteed was a couple of state scholarships that definitely helped, but would only cover a couple of classes at the nearby university.
When I received my acceptance letter to my local university, I was underwhelmed. It was great that I got accepted, but I didn't know what career I wanted to pursue and I didn't know I was going to pay for school. I enrolled in my local community college for the fall and it turned out to be the best decision for me.
After my first semester of community college, I found out many of my classmates who left home to follow their college dream were back in town going to the local university or even at community college with me. Sometimes it was a financial issue, some were failing classes, and some were just homesick.
There are plenty of pros to going to community college and I hope that if you are considering it as an option that this myTake will help you feel more confident in your choice.
-Community college helped me save money. The first two years, you are taking the same classes as your peers enrolled in universities for just a fraction of the cost.
-Community college helped me build up my GPA so that I could qualify for better scholarships. What most students don't realize is that more money is that many colleges hold back scholarships on freshmen because over 30% drop out after their first semester.
-Community colleges have smaller classes. Small classes create a less intimidating atmosphere and this was very important for a quiet student like me. I had an easier time asking questions and creating relationships with my teachers, making it easier to excel.
-You can always transfer. After I graduated with my Associate's degree, I transferred to a state university with a full ride.
With all this said, community college may still not seem appealing to you, and that is fine. What ever college draws you, just know that it is all what you make of it. Make sure you take advantage of the connections that college provides you, it could be the best chance you will get.
Thank you all for reading my first myTake. I just felt the urge to share.
Most Helpful Opinions