A worthwhile investment for the future

Apr. 2013


Most students want to attend the top notch schools, no matter the cost, and in this desire they tend to put down and criticize community and state schools.

When it comes to the college admission process students tend to aim for the most prestigious, and usually the most expensive, schools.

According to a poll of Carlmont students, community colleges ranked at the bottom of people’s college choices. However there are real benefits to attending community colleges.

“There’s definitely a competition for seniors for which schools they get into,” stated Rachel Cissna, a senior who plans to attend CSM, “but I think it’s ridiculous and I think they are going to be regretting it when they are still paying their bills off at 30 for their student loans.”

The cost of community college is significantly lower than the cost of UCs or private schools and they both offer the same core curriculum needed in the first few years at any school.

According to CNN Money and College Board estimates, community colleges cost about 3000 dollars a year for full tuition while the average public university costs about 21,447 dollars.

“I would be taking the same classes for the first few years at four year and at CSM anyways,” continued Cissna, “I don’t want to pay for classes that I could be doing locally.”

Community colleges also offer more flexible schedules than other schools. Students can go to class when needed and plan classes that fit best around their personal needs.

“Community colleges are good for a transitional period because schedules are flexible,” stated Senior Keea Khalili, “I am going to Canada because I’m not ready to leave my dad and brother, we are really close with each other and I don’t feel like it’s the time.”

Some students leave senior year without knowing what they want to study. Community Colleges offer a place for students to continue their education, while exploring different majors.

“There are a lot of people who go to community college because it’s also where they can figure out what they want to study and they can stay home then transfer later when they know what they want to study,” continued Kahlili.

Transferring from a community college to a university after two years is very common and less stressful then applying straight out of high school, and easier, as students who already have college credits are given a leg up in the admissions process.

The general perception that attending a prestigious school is the only way to go does not only look down upon community colleges, but also on some UCs.  

“People think Merced is the lowest UC possible just because it is brand new, but a lot of the professors are from MIT or Cal Tech so they know what they are talking about and the education is on par with the other UCs, it’s just less competition and they are building,” said Andrew Cardozo.

Despite the disparaging view of community colleges they really do offer many benefits to students looking for cheaper, closer to home, and transitional experiences. 


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