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What is better college plan?
Community to 2 year or commit to 4 year.
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Candace’s Answer
You can't go wrong either way! In fact, Community College in California can be an incredible path to a 4 year degree that can be achieved very cost effectively.
Here is why. If you satisfactorily complete A-G courses at any California community college, you have the opportunity to transfer to a University of California school to achieve a BA or BS degree. This can be vastly less expensive than going into a UC as an undergraduate. UC has an agreement with California Community Colleges that requires them to take two transfers for every one undergraduate they admit as a freshman.
This means your likelihood of getting into UC Berkeley or UCLA vastly increases if you come in as a transfer student, and you still achieve the same degree in the same average amount of time. Win-win!
Find out more: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/transfer-requirements/
Plan ahead so you take the right classes to qualify for transfer
Here is why. If you satisfactorily complete A-G courses at any California community college, you have the opportunity to transfer to a University of California school to achieve a BA or BS degree. This can be vastly less expensive than going into a UC as an undergraduate. UC has an agreement with California Community Colleges that requires them to take two transfers for every one undergraduate they admit as a freshman.
This means your likelihood of getting into UC Berkeley or UCLA vastly increases if you come in as a transfer student, and you still achieve the same degree in the same average amount of time. Win-win!
Find out more: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/transfer-requirements/
Candace recommends the following next steps:
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Amanda’s Answer
Hi Erin! At the end of the day, both options result in the same bachelors degree. Here are some points of comparison, only you can know which of these are more important for you.
CC + 2 year:
- significant savings! Going to CC is much cheaper than a four year college, especially with the Promise Program which makes the first two years free. You can also attend a CC close to your childhood home, which may lead to further savings on rent/food.
- Depending on the kinds of classes, it is possible that your professors are more engaging at a CC. CC usually has smaller class sizes, and the professors do not pursue academic research in the same way that professors at four year colleges do. Therefore, these professors are often passionate about teaching itself, regardless of any “fancy” recognition professors can receive at a four year college.
- it is possible to get into a better/higher ranked school or program when transferring, than if you applied as a senior in college
Four year college
- attending college for all four years gives you much more experience on campus. This appears on multiple facets:
—social life: there is more time to participate in social organizations; it is easier to meet people during the first couple years in student housing
—professional networking: more opportunities for career fairs/career counseling during the first two years. Opportunities to join professional orgs that can positively impact your career
—more time to acclimate to to academics/academic rigor
—more familiar in accessing available resources for academics and career For example, financial aid office, food assistance, career resources, disability assistance etc.
All of these are still 100% possible as a transfer student, but it may feel more challenging without the extra two years of acclimating to these systems.
Good luck! I’m sure you will make the best decision for you
CC + 2 year:
- significant savings! Going to CC is much cheaper than a four year college, especially with the Promise Program which makes the first two years free. You can also attend a CC close to your childhood home, which may lead to further savings on rent/food.
- Depending on the kinds of classes, it is possible that your professors are more engaging at a CC. CC usually has smaller class sizes, and the professors do not pursue academic research in the same way that professors at four year colleges do. Therefore, these professors are often passionate about teaching itself, regardless of any “fancy” recognition professors can receive at a four year college.
- it is possible to get into a better/higher ranked school or program when transferring, than if you applied as a senior in college
Four year college
- attending college for all four years gives you much more experience on campus. This appears on multiple facets:
—social life: there is more time to participate in social organizations; it is easier to meet people during the first couple years in student housing
—professional networking: more opportunities for career fairs/career counseling during the first two years. Opportunities to join professional orgs that can positively impact your career
—more time to acclimate to to academics/academic rigor
—more familiar in accessing available resources for academics and career For example, financial aid office, food assistance, career resources, disability assistance etc.
All of these are still 100% possible as a transfer student, but it may feel more challenging without the extra two years of acclimating to these systems.
Good luck! I’m sure you will make the best decision for you
Updated
Shalawn’s Answer
When making a choice, consider the path that minimizes your financial burden. If a two-year community program can yield the same outcome as a four-year one, it's a wise and encouraging option to pursue.