The Difference Between a University and a Community College

Specific colleges have been created for particular people is the kind of information passed across in high school levels. Most of the literature in high school concentrates explicitly on how to get admitted into specific colleges based on extracurricular interests and also grades. However, no one ever mentions about the long terms friends one will make and even the good and bad experiences one is bound to face. For most future college students, a significant milestone is a decision of whether to attend a four-year university or to live at home and attending a community college. The university experience is far more appealing to a high school senior, but there are many factors that need to be well thought out before making that choice.   A future college student should accurately depict the difference between a university and a community college.  Identifying these differences before the decision-making process will only enhance your college seeking experience. Besides, extensive research is necessary to focus on what each college has to offer. Not only should the academic component be considered, but also the environment of the campus is as equally important.  Careful planning and consideration are essential for any future college student, and many factors should be carefully measured to ensure the best fit at any school.  Initially, a community college may be the better choice without even recognizing it at the time.  Either way, personal success can be achieved by attending a community college or on the campus of a university.


Further, famous and small universities designed for everyone. Not everyone will manage to make their way to prominent universities but I, instead they have to find somewhere to fit in. Besides, various students have different reasons for attending community colleges. For instance, one might end up in a community college due to financial problems. Moreover, transfer students have lesser chances of getting scholarships than those straight from high school, and therefore they mostly end up in community colleges. Choosing the right community college or university can undoubtedly be a daunting task for any high school senior.  Students can become very stressed and overwhelmed when merely thinking about the process of uncovering that perfect school.  Unfortunately, there is more to think about than just the degree, as there could be perceived negative connotations attached to a community college.  The perceptions are, for example, people who attend community colleges are not as smart, are perhaps less-educated, or they are, for various reasons, unable to get admitted to a university. When I was a high school senior, and I realized that I needed to attend a community college, I was somewhat disappointed.  I knew that is was not due to my grades, but because of the degree in radiology that I was pursuing had severely limited my choices.  I knew that I was accepted to the universities that I applied to, but I was still worried about communicating with my friends that I had to go to a community college.  Being aware of the stereotypes as mentioned above had unquestionably left me with an uneasy feeling.  The time came, and I did, in fact, convey to my friends that I was going to a community college.  Even though I will never honestly know how they felt at the time, I knew that I had chosen the best option for me.  I have to admit that since I have been attending a community college, I have not thought twice about the negative stereotypes.  I have undoubtedly found the classes to be challenging, and my professors are very knowledgeable about the course content.  Furthermore, the classes are smaller and more academically challenging than I could have ever imagined. Even though I live with my parent's, and commute to school most days of the week, I am delighted with the path that I have chosen to pursue a degree at a community college.  I now know that with constant persistence and hard work, I will succeed in my goal of becoming a radiographer.


Besides, community colleges are suitable for students who have always dreamt of going to college, but they do not manage to get the required grades. Also, community colleges are also best for people who are living full lives outside school. For example, parents and also students who have responsibilities at home and even those students who have not entirely made up their minds about attending college.  Additionally, a community college student can best be described as someone who commutes to school.  There is typically no room and board at a community college so living arrangements would have to be made off campus.  Many students have families and work while attending community college, so flexibility in scheduling is an actual benefit.  Another advantage of a community college student is the cost of education.  It is much more financially reasonable, and the student would not be burdened with significant amounts of debt.  Although the community college student and university student both equally attend school and receive an education, the student life experience is a stark contrast.  Instead of living at home and commuting to the college, the university student has the convenience of living on the college campus.  The university student can live in the college dorms, and walk to classes within minutes.  The students have the option to live with one roommate or several roommates whereas the community college student most likely still lives with their parents or families.   Unlike the community college student, the university student has access to hundreds of student clubs and organizations like fraternities and sororities, large dining halls, and state of the art work-out facilities at their disposal.  Almost everything a university student needs is right on campus.  However, there is a cost for the convenience.  The potential downside is that the university student will have far greater debt which can be overwhelming, especially when they need to begin to pay student loans back.  The university graduate could potentially be spending upwards of $60,000 or more while going to a community college will leave the borrower with less of a burden with a cost of under $10,000, and that is one significant distinct advantage.  The most important factor is that both students are equally receiving an education, and the respect must be given to those who have gone to either the community college or university.


Choosing which college to go to requires careful planning and consideration for many reasons. A good starting point is to conduct your research and shortlist your choices thoroughly. Once you have minimized your selection of institutions, the student needs to make their determination as to what fits best with not only their budget as previously discussed but the student's lifestyle as well. How well is the actual fit between the person and the school?  This would include, but not limited to; one's interests, personality, abilities, and overall goals.  Once that criterion has been established, then what must be considered next are the secondary factors that may have an unforeseen impact.  For example, take into account how far of a distance one would like to be from home. Many high school seniors are all too eager to distance themselves from home, but when it gets closer to the graduation date, someone may choose to attend a college that is closer to home. The future college student will soon realize that the longer the distance, the less frequent someone can go home.  Another secondary factor is what the environment of the school is like.  The physical location of the school is dependent on how disciplined the impressionable young college student is.  If the school is located in a big city or is considered a party town, then there could be unintended consequences of distractions. Without the appropriate level of maturity and academic discipline, this aspect could have negative ramifications that are unforeseen when making your selection. The next step is to find the school that has the degree program one would be trying to obtain. This is because some colleges or universities that have similar plans may or may not be substantially different and have a greater level of prestige.  The student that is looking for the right college with or without the prestige will do their research on the internet, are encouraged to attend college new student orientations, or talk to people who may have gone to the college. Most importantly, make sure that it's something that can be financially feasible to attend, and it has the program or career field someone can foresee themselves doing.  If the colleges seem as though they are a great fit at a price that can be sustained, then the last action item is to apply and anticipate receiving the acceptance letters.


It is very accurate that students can acquire quality education from almost any college across the nation. However, the quality of education is most if the time up to the students and unfortunately most schools do not provide enough guidance. Choosing which college will best suit your wants and needs depends on the person.  Conduct your research, have a conversation with your family and decide what can be done financially.  Once that has been established, this could drastically narrow down your selection choice from many to perhaps maybe one or two.  If the family cannot afford a university, the community college is most likely the alternative.  If the community college is the only option at the time, all is not lost.  Someone can attend a community college for a year or two and then transfer to a four-year university.  The university experience is still a viable option even though it may not be within a specific time frame.  Whether it is the community college or a university, you will always be receiving a quality education.

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