Midwest67:
One of our kids went to community college for two years and then transferred to our public flagship. I am aware this is a distasteful option for some.
It worked out great for us. Affordable for both student and parents. Kid got involved in Student Government at the CC and was a big fish in a small pond.
It also raised her awareness & concern re: students struggling to get an Associate’s Degree. You know, slowly chipping away at school plus working two jobs, maybe having a baby of their own, etc. It was eye-opening for her, in a good way. Part of her job in SGA was looking at student retention & graduation rates, and brainstorming ways for the school to improve both.
Anyways, a mentor of hers said, “Your degree is going is say University of ==State==”, NOT “2 years at CC, then 2 years at U of ==State==”, remember that.
Her professors at graduation were gushing to us about her, and none of them knew she was a transfer from a CC. We mentioned it, and the professors seemed genuinely surprised.
She is successfully launched, and working on The Hill in DC & staying in touch with her alumni network. It’s where she wanted to land, and it’s been two years now. She is very happy.
There are many paths!
For high stats students in many states, this path can be a mistake IF they would need a lot of aid/merit for those last 2 years. For many high stats students, they need to grab those great merit or FA opportunities as incoming frosh.