Preview

The Benefits of Community College

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
747 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Benefits of Community College
Persuasive essay
The Benefits of Community College
Comm/215
Vin. S
University of Phoenix
August 29, 2013

As seniors prepare to graduate from high school this upcoming school year, many have to decide on whether to apply to a four year university or stay close to home to attend college. This decision can be difficult for some because of the rising cost of universities, grades, and test scores determining entrances into their desired school, or even if college is the right fit for them. Community colleges are a great opportunity for students (recent graduates, working adults, even senior citizens) to explore their option to continue their education, and finding their path in life without having to take out a second mortgage. Even though community colleges has a bad reputation because it is seen as an undesired alternative for higher education, but in fact many are nationally recognized institutions with outstanding faculty. There are tons of benefits many overlook to receiving their college education at the local community college.
The most important and convincing argument for attending community college is price. Hands down, this is the most cost-effective decision when funding one’s education. With the unprecedented rise of universities tuition, and interest rates on student loans sky rocketing, taking courses at community colleges can save students thousands of dollars in the long run. Virginia is one the of the cheapest states in the country to attend college, but in order to save money choosing a community college might be a smarter economical decision. For examples, an average tuition for a full-time student at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) for one semester is $1,839 (not including books & supplies); $3,678 for the full academic year. While at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA, one semester is $4,588 which does not included room & board, books, and other miscellaneous that is tagged along when a

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    the route of going to a community college because of personal reasons such as those that can’t…

    • 866 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Most college students who attend community college as a stepping stone towards achieving a bachelor’s degree at a university commonly fall short of this intention. Only 11.6% out of 81.4% of these community college students accomplish a bachelor’s degree at a university. Discovering this compelling fact was discouraging as a community college student desiring to pursue a biochemistry degree at a four-year institution. Financially, college students are saving more money in attending a community college their first few years in place of a university. President Obama proposed the idea of ‘free community college’ to improve the wages and living standards of the middle class. As a community college student, I wonder if this proposal would improve this startling statistic and aid the student’s desire to pursue their educational goals. In Robert Farrington’s article “Community College Is Not…

    • 1037 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Liz’s claim is that community college is great for students, of any age, who are looking to begin their higher education process. Her claim is strong and I understand what she means from personal experience. I began my higher education in a community college and found what my interests were. This helped me further my education to a university where I could focus on a specific subject.…

    • 637 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Discounted Dreams

    • 768 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Did you know that while a countless number of students in community college would like to transfer to a four year school, many as two thirds will not be able to transfer. A community college is a nonresidential junior college established to serve a specific community and typically supported in part by local government funds. Community college is a wonderful option for those who are trying to get their life back on track or who cannot afford it. “Discounted Dreams” is a documentary about community college and interviews some of the students who are going through it. This documentary is about all of the advantages and disadvantages of going to a community college. There are various disadvantages in going to community college because there…

    • 768 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast a university with a local community college. A university offers more diverse academic degree whereas a community college is very technical and industry driven. Although universities and community colleges serve the same educational purpose, they have different approaches in certain areas. There are some different aspects one can note when comparing and contrasting a community college with a university: admission requirements, the collegiate environment, and the conveniences.…

    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To believe in the strength and value of community colleges is to recognize that the community school is as vital and remains purposely driven today, as when they began more than one hundred years ago- before self-driving cars, smartboards, on-line courses, etc. These community based institutions fundamentally serve as a foundation and core to the planning and building of one’s unlimited educational possibilities.…

    • 323 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Many reasons for me the determination to attend college; some of the reasons are I want to increased knowledge, make new experiences and career preparation. The community college teaches us closer such as labor, friendly and even loving relationships. Not to mention the friendships in the future could thrive in jobs, businesses and societies. A community college will definitely broaden the horizon of our view of things. Completed college will help me meet the demands that exist in the current job market. When choosing a profession they can learn different skills, which will help me succeed. Studying in a community college can be one of the most enriching experiences of our life…

    • 113 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Lerner, J. (1999, Mar 14). Learning: The new community college; flexibility and convenience attracts a growing number of students. Boston Herald. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.canyons.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/401764065?accountid=38295…

    • 1329 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Also spending two years at a community college taking general courses and seeing what programs there are to study might help you make a decision. Another reason I believe a community college is the best route because at a university sometimes freshman have to live on campus their first year. So in the end it ties in with cost because room and board is very expensive, plus a meal plan also. At a community college you can commute everyday so in reality you only have to pay for gas that transport you everyday and most have a cafeteria for you to eat at.…

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many benefits to attending a community college and these are some of the benefits I feel that I have gotten from my school. Community College has given me the opportunity to receive a quality education for a reasonable price. The teachers here care about me and want to see me succeed in all that I do, while also encouraging me to strive for success in achieving my dreams. My advisors know of my goals and want to see me achieve them. The smaller classes make it easier for my professors to be able to work with me one on one. Another benefit of attending a community college is that I was able to join Phi Theta Kappa and hold leadership positions on campus. I am able to apply for scholarships through Phi Theta Kappa, and also work on…

    • 246 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The new community college for full-time students will not provide a degree in all areas, “All first-year students would be required to take a predetermined core curriculum and would then be limited to their choice of about 12 majors” (Moltz, 2009). The majors that were proposed will be in pre-career fields, which will be designed to assist students with transferability. The transferability requirements to four-year institutions have increased throughout the years and it is important that the two-year college focuses on making sure that student are academically on track to transfer. At times, community college students do not complete a bachelor’s due to the lack of preparation for what is expected of them once they transfer. The curriculum proposed requires full time enrollment and taking more than 12 units per semester, which will prepare students for a better transition to a four-year…

    • 873 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The first major effect that community colleges had on the students in the article was to mature and stay in their living environment. Students needed to gather experience before facing challenges at universities. For instance, Javier Pena, who graduated from Magruder High School, got a scholarship from Georgetown University, but he decided not to enroll in a four-year school attend Montgomery College (MC) because he was not ready to rely on himself. To illustrate, in the article, Pena said, “I just felt like I needed more growing and maturity to face such a big change, he said” (Davis 3.). This showed that he needed to gain experience before becoming independent. In addition, some students were not ready to live away from their loved ones. For example, Diane Lameira, after graduating from high school with a good GPA and obtaining a full scholarship from the University of Maryland, decided to attend MC because she wanted to stay near her family. To illustrate, in the article, Davis pointed, “She’s an only child and said she wasn’t ready to leave home” (Davis 3). This meant that MC gave Lameira the opportunity to stay with her family. Community Colleges helped students become mature and stay near their family.…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Liz Addison, a student at Southern Maine Community College, reminds that community college is not only cheaper, but can offer a gateway into the world of college and provide a stepping stone for those just starting out, calling it “America’s hidden public service gem” (Addison). For those from low-income families or who generally cannot afford university, they “would never breathe the college experience if it were not for the community college” (Addison). This makes it a fantastic option for anyone who needs…

    • 981 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Being that I am first generation student, attending a community college has definitely guided me in the path of success. At my community college, I have been able to develop strong relationships with my professors as well as other professionals who have generously mentored my next steps. Tuition is a reasonable price, which has allowed me to focus on my academics rather than a money burden. A variety of support services are offered on campus, which has helped me triumph in my education and maintain a 4.0 GPA. Overall, attending a community college has been the first of many steps of success.…

    • 102 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Community College education is something that helps me every single day. It has prepared me to write this very essay. The biggest volunteer service I have done is to volunteer for the United States Army. I am loud and proud to be a part of the greatest fighting force in the world. Through education it has made me even better at my military occupation. I have recently been promoted to a Sergeant. My education has made this possible with the qualities and knowledge I needed to get there. Recently, my unit asked me to give a presentation at the High School I attended. I knew I was qualified and prepared through my community college education. Especially because I was in Public Speaking at the time.…

    • 495 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays