Congratulations, you’ve graduated from high school! That’s quite a big deal, and what you do next will greatly affect your future for years to come.
If you’re reading this, you’ve either decided that you’ll be attending a community college (CC) for the first two years of your college career, or you’re on the fence about it. Regardless of the reason, this article will help you pick the college that’s right for you. Here are some factors to consider:
Think Ahead
If you have an idea of the four year university from which you’d like to graduate, call them and ask which CC they consider to be the most desirable as far as transfer students go. They’ll be honest and tell you where they think is the most important. This is a crucial step, because you’ll be hearing it right from the horse’s month, so to speak. Any time you can get insight like this you should take advantage of it.
The Success Rate
How does the CC you’re looking at compare to others in the area? Make sure to get an idea of the school’s success rate (College Measures.com) as well as graduation and transfer rates (College Navigator). This is just one factor in choosing the right school, so don’t consider it by itself.
Transfer Programs
Call the community colleges you’re considering to see whether they have an official transfer program to the four year university you’d like to eventually graduate from. Make sure you get all the requirements necessary for qualifications. According to CNN Money, ask the CC which universities have “articulation agreements”, so you can be sure to get some credits. You wouldn’t want to take a class that doesn’t transfer, unless it’s an elective course that will give you insight into what you might want to major in.
Honors Programs
You might notice that the graduation and transfer rates for the community colleges you’re considering aren’t anything to write home about. That might be okay. Ask them if they have honors programs you might be eligible for, because if that’s the case, those types of programs my have a high transfer or graduation rate.
Specific Programs
Another point to consider is that your community college may not be awesome overall (with regards to transfer rates), but may be really strong in the program you’re interested in. So make sure you look into this aspect before making your final decision.
There are a lot of benefits to starting your college career at a community college. It’s important to have all the facts before making your final decision. Do you have any other tips to consider? Please share them in the space below!
