Graduating high school and deciding what to do next is a huge step toward your future. If you are immersed in four-year college brochures and ready to take campus visits, don't overlook the benefits of attending a community college. They are an evolving offering in the higher learning market and are worth considering. Here's why:
1. Community college saves you money. Did you know that the average cost per year for community college is only about $2,400 compared to about $12,000 at a traditional university? Add that to the fact that it generally takes only two years to complete your chosen course of study and the savings story takes on an even bigger role in the decision making. Wouldn't it be nice to start your career without the burden of several years of student loan payments to make? What's more, graduates in areas such as technology and nursing have been known to have as high as a 100% employment rate right out of (community) college.
2. Less is more when it comes to students in a classroom. Whereas public and private colleges boost lecture halls full of students, the typical community college classroom is for around 30 students. And, with tuition costs being so much lower, there's more time (and money) for most community college students to indulge in the exploration of their interests before having to commit to one area of study. Classes aren't restricted to weekdays; in fact, there are ample evening and weekend classes to choose from for students who have kept a full-time job.
3. The teaching staff is there for one reason only - to teach. They aren't distracted by research or their eagerness to have their work published as are some college professors. Instead of learning from assistant teachers as is the case in many traditional universities, underclassmen in community colleges benefit directly from faculty members who have direct work experience in the areas that they teach. In fact, they often help graduating students to land work in their field by providing networking opportunities.
4. Location is everything. Since community colleges are almost always located within a city, students often commute from home and save money on housing costs. The feeling of 'community' is tangible and students don't feel lost in a maze. There are, however, plenty of collegiate activities such as athletics, student government and social functions. The community college campus is just as vibrate and active as any other university, without many of the negatives.
If your not convinced that lower costs and a higher learning experience can lead to personal success, you might want to consider the records of some of the other graduates of community colleges across the country. Did you know that Eddie Murphy went to Nassau Community College and baseball's Jackie Robinson was a proud alumni of Pasadena City College?
About the Author:
American Educational Guidance Center staff writer Julie Clark Robinson writes on subjects which include conducting a successful school search, the value of online degrees and continuing education for adults.
Get all the information and photos:: http://coringa.info/education/the-many-benefits-of-attending-a-community-college
0 comments:
Post a Comment