Community College is not for the Lesser Brain

By Christina Strong

If you are in the process of applying to and picking a college, you’re probably weighing a variety of options. Whatever you decide will affect the next four to five years of your life in more ways than one. You can choose to complete your first two years at a community college; this will save you money and allow you to slowly adjust to the new college life before being consumed by a massive campus full of thousands and thousands of students.

On the other hand, some people look down upon community colleges as places for the lesser brain and those who just couldn’t get in to universities. Don’t let these negative connotations turn you off to community college. It is an excellent option for a lot of people, depending on their preferences and needs.

I've listed a few key differences below. After reading about them, I think you’ll have a better idea as to which type of institution is better for you for the first couple years of your college education.

Classroom Size

If you like smaller classroom sizes, then a community college may be for you. Their class sizes usually hover around 30-40 people, similar to the high school setting. This allows for more one-on-one attention from professors and more availability in office hours. Some claim that at a large university you are “just a number.” This is true in some lecture-size classes where hundreds of students are enrolled and the classroom is really an auditorium. It’s hard to bond with professors in this environment, which is typically seen when taking General Education courses. But keep in mind that class size at a university depends on your major—there are still many classrooms that have 30 or so students.

Living Arrangements

Living arrangements are also very different between universities and community colleges. If you are one of those people who would like to leave home and get away, then a university is probably right up your alley. Most universities offer dorm rooms or on-campus apartments that students can reside in during their time at the school. Community colleges are typically commuter schools, which means most students drive to school and live off campus either with their parents or in an apartment.
The cost of living on your own and commuting back to school may be cheaper than the actual cost of living on campus and buying meal plans. If you live at home while attending community college, you are likely to save a few thousand dollars over the course of your first few college years. Living on campus at a university puts you in the middle of the college student life and makes it easier to participate in extracurricular activities and student life on a daily basis. This daily interaction increases your chances of successfully finishing your college degree and decreases your chances of dropping out.

Cost

Cost should also play a factor in which type of education you choose. Starting your education off at a community college can save you thousands of dollars. Consider this: two years at Henry Ford Community College, for example, adds up to about $7,800 versus attending Eastern Michigan University for two years which would cost $14,280. (This is based off their tuition calculator.) That’s a difference of $6,480. This savings can be used toward other necessities, such as food, gas and textbooks (or luxuries!).
There are pros and cons to attending both community colleges and universities. While a university calls to some people, community college calls to others. Whatever your choice, make an educated one (no pun intended), compare and contrast your options, and weigh the benefits of which one you should attend based on your specific circumstance.

Good luck in your college career!

*** Published on Igrad.com