Career questions tagged community-college


How Does the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) Work? #2025
I’m an in-state student planning to enroll in the Architectural Drafting Certificate program at Front Range Community College (FRCC). I’m trying to understand how the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) applies to my tuition. FRCC’s website lists tuition as $285 per credit hour for in-state students and $169 per credit hour after the COF stipend is applied. However, when I check my COF account, it shows that I’m awarded $145 and that $145 remains. I’ve already been approved for COF and selected to apply the stipend toward eligible courses. I’m planning to enroll in 6 credit hours for my first semester and want to understand how this amount will impact my tuition. Could someone please explain how the $145 COF amount is calculated and applied to tuition? Also, why does the actual reduction on FRCC’s website show only $116 per credit hour instead of $145? I’d appreciate any clarification or advice to help me make an informed decision. #2025

How do you stay motivated while pursuing a demanding degree?
For context, I come from a low-income background and am pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. I know that this career path is difficult in terms of coursework and requires many years of schooling. I am transferring from a Community College to a 4-year institution this fall, with veterinary school following afterward. As I am transferring into such a specific major so my academic pathway requires at least 2.5 years, with the addition of taking Summer and Winter classes, with veterinary school being 4 years. My financial background also sets me back in struggling to pay for school and likely needing to work full time, which hinders my studies. Veterinary school is noted to be very competitive, and most people get rejected in their first year of applying. I am trying to stay optimistic throughout the hardships and also want to make the most of my time in college. Overall, how do you stay motivated in such a difficult career path while also balancing personal life, work, and getting involved on campus? #Spring25

How do you remain motivated as a first-generation when obstacles have steered you away from your original path but continue to strive to reach your dreams while carving your own lane?#Spring25
I'm not your traditional college student and faced some hardships early on in my academic journey, which resulted in a couple of gap years. Nevertheless, I've stayed dedicated to forging my own path toward achieving my dreams of ultimately serving in the medical field. I am proud to be a community college graduate and am transferring to complete my undergraduate degree. I understand how long a road and how intentional you have to be with pursuing the medical field. I'm curious about how to stay motivated and build relationships with medical professionals early in my journey. In particular, I'd like to know how newcomers can access internship and research opportunities that are not readily available to students who do not fit the conventional profile.

Tips for transferring after community college?
I am a high school student who plants to attend Orange Coast College in the fall. What are the best ways to ensure getting into top four-year universities as a transfer student, such as clubs and extracurriculars?

What made you believe it wasn’t too late to start over?
For those who have hit 'reset' on life in their late 20s or beyond (whether by tackling mental health, going back to school, or changing careers) what was the moment or mindset shift that made you believe it wasn’t too late to start over? I'm a 27 year old student at a community college and I’d love to hear how others found strength, purpose, or clarity in their own second chapters. #Spring25

How does a transfer student overcome Imposter Syndrome after transferring to a 4-year University?
This question can apply to all students, but as a transfer student, I find myself struggling with this greatly.

How can I as a homeschooled student build up my college application?
I’m a homeschooler who will be attending community college to be able to save up money before being able to go to a four year university and I aim to get my masters degree. So how can I build up my application and resume?

I'm thinking of taking the 2+2 route, starting at a CC and transferring to a 4-year for my bachelor's. What should I be prepared for? Tips? Advice? Is this the right choice?
I'm a high school senior, 4.3 GPA and going to a CC and transferring feels like I'm failing at life. Dramatic, I know, but there's a lot of pressure on me to go straight to a 4-year. While CC truly is not my top choice, my parents can hardly provide any support for 4-year tuition and I'm not sure how far scholarships can get me. Please give ANY advice you have to work through this problem!

What is the hardest part about going to a four-year university right away instead of doing 2 years of community college first?
A lot of my classmates are going to community college first then to a four-year university, so I was wondering what's the hardest part of going four-year university first.

What is the best source of college scholarships for Forestry?
I am pursuing a Forestry degree at the local community college this Fall. I do not want to take out student loans to complete my degree. I am working part-time and looking for scholarships in my field.

Which state is more convenient for studying engineering?
Which states are best for studying engineering as an international student at a community college??

How do I go about with this I've got two plans for the upcoming college season - 1 year in community college and the rest in university, or 2 years in community college, with the rest in Texas Tech's med-school branch. Which would be the more financially viable one?
For better context, i'm probably going to be subsisting off of FAFSA money and (should I prove to be lucky enough to get one) scholarship money, too.

What community colleges have the most students? How do people enroll in colleges without support?Why do some people not go to college?
The career I'm interested is business or being a lawyer.

Getting a double major in Psych (BA) and Fashion design, any advice?
I'm thinking of getting a double major in Psychology (BA) and Fashion design. I am currently 17 years old, a Junior in high school, and have a GPA of 4.1 weighted/3.76 unweighted. Do you have any advice? Any programs or community college classes you would suggest? Colleges with good programs I should apply to?

How exactly do I be a dentist?
I have been thinking about becoming a dentist, but I have like no idea how college really works. I was thinking of going to sac state or sac city college by majoring in biology or biological sciences, and then transferring to UC Davis after 2 years. What should my schedule be like to be on the right track? Is there extra steps I need to do?

Best Online Community Colleges for Reduced Cost and Affordability?
Hi everyone, I’ve been searching online for community colleges that offer affordable online courses, but I’ve run into a lot of sketchy websites and ads. I’m looking for legitimate options that can help reduce the overall cost of my education without sacrificing quality. Does anyone have any recommendations for reputable online community colleges that offer reduced tuition rates or financial assistance? Any tips on how to find the best deals would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Prerequisite Classes at a Community College?
Hi everyone, I'm a college student studying on a pre-med track, and I'm planning to take math (calculus) and physics classes at a community college to help reduce the cost of my education. However, I've heard that taking prerequisites like these at a community college might hurt my chances of getting into medical school. I want to save on tuition, but I'm a little scared that this might impact my medical school application. Has anyone had experience with this or can offer advice? Thanks in advance!

What's a rough draft of my next years in education if I want to be a dermatologist and what should I know?
I'm currently a freshman in community college and just switched my major to Biology to pursue dermatology. I want to transfer to UCLA after community college, but there isn't much info on what my career pathway would look like in dermatology starting off at community college.

Do I still qualify for the 1098-t form?
I had talked to my counselor before the summer and she suggested that I enrolled in my nearest community college as a freshman in high school to take free college courses over the summer. I filled out the special form and eveeything, but I wasn't able to enroll in any classes so I just forgot about it. But today, I got an email from the admin saying that I had to provide some documents in order to get my 1098-t form. I did a little bit of research but I am still wondering if I still get the form because I never payed anything to them or was even a student.

How was your transfer process from a community college to a four year college?
Where did you transfer from and to? What obstacles did you face? How many years did u spend at community college? What about what you studied? Any advice is welcomed!

What should I be getting my associates in?
So, I am a first yr college student and I picked undecided when I enrolled and currently an getting Associate of Arts degree. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian but just wasn't sure when enrolling if that's what i'll for sure do and wondering where to go from here? Do I need to do math and sci classes while continuing my degree or switch to Animal science or Associate of science (which is a transferable degree) if this is something I'm seriously considering instead? I am clueless

What would I do to become a dental hygienist or an ultrasound technician? (multiple questions in the description)
I am having trouble deciding whether I want to be a dental hygienist or an ultrasound technician. Either way, I am unsure of what I am meant to do to become either or. I was doing some research and they said I could just go to community college as you only need 2 years (associate degree) to become a dental hygienist (not sure about ultrasound technician) Is that true? Could I still go to a regular college instead and do 4 years to get my bachelor's? How many years would these professions take? What should I know before going into these fields? What college major would they fall into?

How was transferring from community college to a four year college?
As of right now, it seems that I will be getting my gen eds at a technical college and transfer to complete my bachelors for the last two years. How was your experience as a transfer student?

Associates in Criminal Justice a waste of time if wanting to become a Forensic Anthropologist ?
Hello everyone. I want to become a Forensic Anthropologist and I know it's a lot of work and schooling which is fine. But I enrolled in a Community College recently to up my GPA from the last College I attended which was another Community College. I was okay with this plan until I 1) spoke with an advisor who wanted me to do an add on certificate, which I really don't believe I need. She also totally ignored the bigger picture of what I wanted to do by getting my PHD later on. 2) I realized after doing additional research that I merely need a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, plus my Master's and PHD to get into Forensic Anthropology. Making my current degree track in Criminal Justice useless? My question is should I get my associates in Criminal Justice? Would it be an asset to me later on? Or is it a massive waste of time and I should consider transferring after a year? Any advice would be great, thanks!

How do I choose a college to transfer to after community college?
I am currently a biology major and I plan to work in the research and sustainably field. There's so many options its overwhelming.

How do you become a community college professor?
I've heard that becoming a community college professor is a different process than being a professor at a university, especially a research university. What are things I should do now as an undergrad student to prepare?

I'm a low-income, first generation student and am seeking career mentorship. Where do I start?
I am a community college student interested in working at a bank as a financial advisor. My community college does not have the resources to help me so I don't know where to start.

What should a person starting with community college do to become an optometrist ?
I am a just graduated high school student, and I want to become an optometrist. I personally don't have great vision and use glasses everyday of my life, which has caused me to get interested in the study of the eyes and to then want to go to school for optometry. After high school, I am going to a community college. What classes should I take there to get my basics done and also have my pre requisites for university after community college? What would be a good major to major in community college and university? Which pre reqs should I have completed before optometry school? Is med school required to pursue this career? I also would like to know what major would be good for undergrad? Is a doctorate required to become an optometrist? And what would look good for optometry school? I havent started community college yet, and have a long way ahead of me to optometry school, but I am confused on how to start the path for it as someone who is going to a community college first. I plan on furthering my education after community college, I just don't know what would be the best classes and majors to choose to then continue into optometry school. Any tips or extra advice would be highly appreciated. :)

How can I further my education if i become an x ray technician with an associates degree Or is an associates enough to live a comfortable lifestyle financially ?
Freshman Community College student

Visa process?
Hey, please I want to apply to community college in USA such as De Anza college but I’m from Morocco so I’m an international student but I’m so afraid to not get my visa and I don’t know should start that process or not cz since I’m coming from a low income family I want to study at CC then transfer to a university! Also the second thing, to apply to CC I need to prove that my bank statement shows around 30k but sadly I don’t have a sponsor also my dad his bank statement don’t show that amount of money I’m really looking for someone who can help me on that process.