<p>Please list the pros and cons of choosing the community college path for the first two years for general education. I feel as if I will miss out on a quality education and the following years in school will be more difficult. The University of Illinois at Chicago verses the Northeastern University Illinois?</p>
<p>I am planning on becoming a nurse (BSN). When applying to nursing schools will I be put at a disadvantage compared to those who chose their state university if I attended a community college?</p>
<p>I can give you the advantages side and I am sure others can list disadvantages. For me CC was needed due to my very bad HS grades so I may see it in a bit different light than you will. Some of the great things about CC was that I had smallish classes (All less than 40) and great access to instructors. CC allowed me to determine if I was ready for a 4 year institution. Also just to quash some of the fears you have I went from CC to a good/difficult engineering school and the only thing I felt I didn’t get at CC that I would have gotten here is exposure to the math software they require you to use here. One last pro of CC is that it tends to be much less about socialization than a 4 year school.</p>
<p>CCs <em>typically</em> have smaller classes, are cheaper, and have teachers who are there to teach instead of there to do research. Look at the nursing schools and community colleges of interest - some may have articulation agreements.</p>
<p>Here are more pros and cons to supplement what others have already said:</p>
<p>Pros:
You receive more help in tough subject (e.g., math) in the form of tutoring centers, and professors are more likely to help you personally
In some cases, you may get more “hands-on” training, especially for nursing
In some cases, you may even receive higher-quality instruction from instructors who have actually practiced what they teach
Less bureaucracy than a large university
More student- and teaching-focused than a large university</p>
<p>Cons:
Student body in an open entry system won’t be as strong; a weak instructor may “dumb down” a course curriculum to teach to the majority
Lack of campus life, though this could vary</p>