Cutting back on the huge cost of college tuition is not the only reason to go to a community college. Students may also enroll in one to discover what they really want, as they use the time to explore different course programs without spending too much money. After all, the curriculum for freshmen is usually the same with others. They also get to save on living expenses such as board and lodging by attending a community college that is usually within the neighborhood or not too far from where they’re living.
You may wonder if going to community college would be good for you or not. To help you make up your mind, here’s a list of the benefits and disadvantages:
Benefits of Going to a Community College
Going to a community college is also a great way for some students to adjust from leaving high school life to pursuing higher education. Ideally, students should take time to figure out what they want as this may help them build a future career. Compared to universities, there is less work load in community colleges. This, however, doesn’t mean that by attending a community college, students will no longer get the training and quality education they need. Instead, this will prepare them in taking four-year courses, if they decide to do so.
Another important consideration is community colleges have less restrictions when it comes to admission. So even with low high school grades, you can still enroll in a community college and even find ways to boost your GPA before applying to universities. With smaller student population, there’s more focus on the education and training of each student.
Disadvantages of Going to a Community College
With limited resources and exposure to academic activities, community colleges may not provide the same academic environment in universities. Students can only aspire for Associate of Arts degrees because of the limited course programs in community colleges. For those who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree and eventually pursue graduate studies, universities are the best choice for these.
Photo Credit : Pat Hawks
