COMMUNITY COLLEGE - THE TWO YEAR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE


Also known as junior college or technical college, the community college offers access to higher education to many who choose to remain near home or who might otherwise be excluded from higher education. Community colleges may be public or independent, may or may not include residential facilities, but all are post-secondary institutions, which offer an associate degree as their highest degree. With few exceptions community colleges offer a comprehensive curriculum which includes transfer, technical or vocational, and continuing education programs. Both Harbor College and El Camino College offer honors programs for high achieving students. These honors programs provide students with a number of benefits not available to other students. The University of California and The California State University systems give first priority to community college transfers. For additional information visit the websites of Harbor College and El Camino College.


 

Important factors in choosing to attend a community college
  • Community-based – Schools work in close partnership with high schools, community groups, and employers to provide a high quality education while allowing students to complete the first two years of college at convenient times and places.
  • Community colleges are cost-effective. Fees are normally half the cost of four-year institutions. Students also save by living at home.
  • A broad range of counseling and career services addressing academic needs are offered to students to maximize their potential.
  • Most offer comprehensive transfer programs in liberal arts that lead to degrees in four-year colleges. Developmental program opportunities exist for students who need to strengthen their academic skills to ensure successful preparation for transfer to a four-year college.
  • Entrance requirements are minimal, giving the “late bloomer an opportunity to continue higher education.

 

Advantages of a community college
    • Usually a more nurturing environment with greater support services
    • Convenience and accessibility
    • Reasonable cost
    • Variety of occupation-technical fields
    • Academic transfer programs

 

According to a survey in Petersen’s Guide to Two-Year Colleges four of the most frequently asked questions about transferring to four-year colleges are
  1. Does every college and university accept transfer students?
      Most schools welcome transfer students, however, some are more enthusiastic in their approach. Arizona State and U Mass., for example take in more transfers than traditional freshmen. UCLA as well as the other UC and Cal State schools give priority to community college transfers within the system.
  2. What qualifies me for admission as a transfer student?
      This varies with the selectivity of the college. Transfer students may be eligible in a number of ways.
      • By having been eligible upon graduation from high school
      • By making up high school deficiencies in subject matter or grades at a community college
      • By satisfactorily completing the required course work with the required grade
  3. Which is more important for transfer, grades or course work?
      Students must first meet one of the requirements of #2 above. Additionally, if a specific degree program has introductory courses required, those must be completed. However, most colleges believe that past performance is the best indicator of potential success.
  4. Why might a course be approved at one four-year school and not another?
      Institutional policies regarding admissions vary to reflect the unique characteristics of each campus. A highly selective school will have tougher transfer requirements. It is important to follow a transfer program specific to your needs. Often, because of taking too many courses that do not meet transfer requirements, students will take longer than two years to fulfill requirements.

     

 

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Students who are unsure about college plans or want to stay at home should seriously investigate the possibilities of the community college experience. The local community colleges offer quality academic programs with the opportunity for transfer to quality four year colleges. Harbor College and El Camino College both provide advisement for students during the school year on the high school campus. With good planning and the advice of the community college counselor many students finish college, including the transfer, in the same amount of time as those attending a four-year college upon graduation from high school.

Community College Websites


 

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