college 101
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NOT JUST A BACK UP PLAN:
life skills
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10
parent to parent
REASONS TO
CONSIDER A
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Have you looked at today’s community colleges?
They probably offer more than you think and have some distinct advantages when compared to four-year
universities. Here’s why you and your teen should at least give them some thought. BY JASMINE YORK
01
Save Money! The tuition at community colleges is nearly
three times less the cost of four-year institutions. Students can take
general courses at community colleges and then transfer to a four-year
college to fulfill the requirements of the major they are pursuing.
02
Easier Acceptance. A minimum
GPA is not required for admission into a
community college and neither is an ACT/
SAT score. Instead, some community colleges
allow those who have taken the ACT/SAT
to be exempt from any placement tests the
institution administers.
03
Transferring Classes is Easy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Famous people like
Sarah Palin, Calvin Klein,
George Lucas and
Eddie Murphy all attended
community colleges.
Campus Housing is Available. Some community colleges
don’t have dorms, but there are many, especially in Alabama, that do!
Among them are Jefferson Davis, Snead State, Alabama Southern and
Bevill State.
22
There’s Cool Stuff to Study! It’s not all vocational and
technical training; there’s a wide range of programs for students.
For example, Faulkner State Community College offers degrees
and coursework in CGI animation and visual effects working with
instructors from digital production studios..
06
With the Statewide Transfer & Articulation
Reporting System (STARS) and 2-to-4 Transfer
programs, it’s not the hassle you may imagine.
STARS is used by public colleges, while private
or independent colleges use the 2-to-4 Transfer
program. Both programs offer a transfer guide
that directs students to the courses that fit in their degree plan.
04
05
Athletes Get Recruited. We talked
to Brett Prichard, Sports Information Director
at Central Alabama Community College,
and he assured us that two-year colleges are
as competitive as Division 1 schools, if not
more, at their level. They recruit just like
other schools; many players go on to become
professional athletes. Many talented baseball
players will choose to attend a community
college to be eligible for the MLB draft after
their freshman year. At a four year college, they
must wait until their junior year.
07
Undeclared Majors Welcome.
The more time it takes for a college student to declare their major, the
more it delays their graduation date, which can quickly stack up the
total cost of earning a degree. By attending a community college first,
students focus on taking basic coursework until they declare a major.
Plus, if they decide to transfer they can ensure that the next school they
attend is the best choice for their newly decided major.
www.potentialmagazine.com