Community Colleges: A Way to Get Higher Education
March 13th, 2008Community colleges give a chance go receive higher education for those who wish. They give an opportunity to get credits before entering a university in high accredited institutions. It is not a secret that the tuition in colleges is lower than in universities, so it is another good way to save money. Students can also attend training connected with different careers.
It is worth mentioning that community colleges are growing in number nowadays. In the United States there are now almost 1,200 community colleges, where more than 11 million students are enrolled, which is about 46 percent of all the undergraduates.
Foreign students have lots of benefits, such as improving their English and understanding American culture and society better.
Let us concentrate on community college benefits:
Lower Tuition. Simply compare $12,000 to $20,000 annual tuition costs in four-year colleges and universities with about $5,000 per year community colleges. Feel the difference?
Easy Move to a University. Most community colleges have conventions with four-year colleges and universities, according to which credits of students of community colleges can be easily counted toward the four-year degree program.
Accreditation. US community colleges, four-year colleges, and most of universities are all accredited by one and the same institution.
Wide Choice of Programs. Students have a chance to choose from hundreds of majors in community colleges, including the most wanted ones.
English as a Foreign Language. Most colleges offer English courses help students from other countries to adapt themselves to a new language.
A Friendly Learning Environment. Students study in small class sizes, usually fewer than 30 students, where individual approach is guaranteed. Also there are different support services for students.
Diversity. As the students come from different cultural environments, the colleges provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities that support the diversity.
A Chance To Investigate U.S. to interact with Americans and to experience American culture.
Different Locations and Campus Sizes. Community colleges differ in their size, from small schools located in the countryside to large institutions in megalopolises.
Outstanding Alumni. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and ex Maryland Governor Parris Glendening, director of Star Wars movie series, George Lucas and many other distinguished people graduated from them.