Universities encourage students attend community colleges first

The higher educational system across the country is seeing the effects of the economy with an increase of enrollment, budget cuts, and an increase in costs.  Many four year universities are now encouraging students to start at a community college.  This may be a great option for graduating high school students.

A more cost effective way to approach your college education is to start with your first two years at a community college, complete your general education (GE) courses, choose a college major and transfer to a four year college or university.  Your first two years of college are going to be general education courses regardless of where you take them.  Might as well have them be at a community college such as Skyline College where fees are $26 a unit, compared to $200+ a unit at a four year college.

The Baltimore Sun claims Maryland University leaders find themselves in the unusual position of encouraging students to take their initial classes not in the state system but at community colleges.

“Two years of community college followed by two years at a university is simply a cheaper formula — for the student and the state — than four years at a university. “If we’re going to find a way to keep higher education affordable, community colleges are going to play a very significant role,” says William E. Kirwan, chancellor of the state’s university system.”

Thousands of transfer students have been saving money by pursuing a community college first, figuring out their college major, then attaining a bachelor’s degree from the university of choice.  Many universities have agreements with community colleges guaranteeing them admissions into their university after completing course work at the community college.  The degree shows you the bachelor’s from the four year university and no where does it say the student was a transfer.

Recruiters are starting to make more visits to community colleges in search of transfers. The university system is investing grant money to help community colleges keep their students in transfer programs until they complete them.  The federal government is also investing grant money in the forms of programs such as TRIO: Student Support Services which is geared towards assisting students that have the goal of transferring to a four year college.

In an interview with Secretary of Higher Education, James E. Lyons, he stated “everything is in place.” He recalls that as president of four-year California State University, Dominguez Hills, he used to send college representatives to the local community colleges in Southern California so that students would know exactly what they had to do to transfer without losing credits. He doesn’t see that level of engagement at other four year campuses.

College Majors:  “If you’re unsure of your major and are researching schools, keep a community college in mind!”

Related Posts

1. Community Colleges vs. Traditional Colleges & Universities

2. Private vs. Public Colleges & Universities: Which Should You Attend?

3. 10 Reasons To Attend A Community College First

4. USC Transfer Articulation Agreements with California Community Colleges

5. No More Partnership Between California Community Colleges and Kaplan University

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Tags: bachelor's degree, califonia community colleges, college major, community college, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSUDH, ge, general education, higher education, Maryland University, Student Support Services, TRIO, TRIO SSS

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