Community college has started redefining the route to bachelors degrees. As a student coming out of high school, it is easy to become discouraged when peers are getting acceptance letters while your mailbox remains barren and empty. Hold your breath though, taking an alternative path through community college may in fact be more beneficial in the long run--financially and academically.
High quality courses and cheaper rates at local community college’s have created favorable circumstances for students looking to get an inexpensive but still valuable education. This education has become evermore pertinent in getting into four-year institution. An article on USA Today juxtaposed acceptances rates of transfer-students and freshman, surprisingly the rates for transfer students were much higher in most cases. Here are seven tips that can make transitioning to a four-year institution a smooth happening:
- Get your Associate’s. Making the most of the time spent at the two-year institution is vital. Having the opportunity to get all of your pre-requisites out of the way and transfer into a four-year university without having to pay the gross premium is an incredible opportunity. More credits are likely to transfer if you attain the degree.
- Stay Goal-Oriented. Getting distracted in the process of getting your associate’s degree is easy, but with focused and goal-oriented plans you can do it! Take community college as an opportunity to improve yourself-- whether it be work ethic, academic standards, or moral compass.
- Get Involved. You have been provided with two extra years of opportunity to build your resume and/or application for a four-year institution! Apply to internships, get involved in academic organizations, join clubs!
- Be Advised. Not only is having regular communication with an advisor at your school important but also, with an advisor at the university you want to attend. This will ensure you are on track, taking the correct transferable courses, while simultaneously planting a seed in the brain of admissions that you are proactively working towards attending their school.
- Decide upon a Major. With a certain major in mind you can concentrate on knocking out the courses you need to get into different programs at the University. Playing catch-up is never fun, not-to-mention financially unsound.
- Take advantage of Scholarships. Apply to any and every scholarship you possibly can. Most schools offer transfer student scholarships and filling out the FAFSA will also put you in the mix for grant/loan money! Whether it’s a dollar or a full-scholarship, that’s x-amount money less you have to pay.
- Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Congratulations! You got accepted into the university, but the celebration is now over and it’s the first day. Every opportunity you get to network and make new friends, do it! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, if done right college can be the most exciting and fun time of your life. Don’t let that opportunity pass you by!
About The Author:
Andrew Riesen is a content developer at OpenSesame.com, the world’s largest marketplace for buying and selling elearning courses. He is currently a student at Gonzaga University in Spokane,WA, majoring in MIS (Management Information Systems) and Finance.
