Traditional colleges still popular, but more students looking at alternatives

Parents Forum
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<p>"Originally, Chapen was planning to attend Eastern Illinois University, where she would enroll as an undecided freshman. That changed, and she will be attending Waubonsee Community College this fall.</p>

<p>‘I thought about it, and with the money and everything, it wasn’t worth it,’ she said. ‘This way, I don’t have to take out student loans. I can pay for my education myself and I can still keep my job.’</p>

<p>Working at Target, attending classes at Waubonsee’s new Plano campus as a potential business major, and living at home is more feasible, Chapen decided.</p>

<p>This attitude is hardly unique…</p>

<p>"Students and their families also are footing more of the bill themselves. Last year, the nation’s college debt surpassed its credit card debt, and students who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2010 had, on average, $24,204 in outstanding student loans. In 1993, that figure was only $9,320…</p>

<p>"While Ashley Chapen knows plenty of students heading off to four-year universities, there are just as many who are going to community colleges.</p>

<p>‘A lot of people don’t know what they want’ to major in yet, the Sandwich teen said. ‘Why spend all of that money if you’re not sure?’"</p>

<p>[Traditional</a> colleges still popular, but more students looking at alternatives - Courier News](<a href=“http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/5755417-418/traditional-colleges-still-popular-but-more-students-looking-at-alternatives.html]Traditional”>http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/5755417-418/traditional-colleges-still-popular-but-more-students-looking-at-alternatives.html)</p>

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<p>Most of the graduating seniors at our local HS go to community college because parents can’t afford to send them away, and they don’t have other options. They MUST work and go to school, or they wouldn’t be able to do it. It’s a great way for students to earn cost-effective credit hours in core requirements… and if they do well enough, they may be able to transfer to the school/major of their choice for the remainder of their college tenure.</p>

<p>Univ of Mass @ Lowell recently announced they will pay a cc transfer student’s tuition for Jr and Sr year… provided their cumulative GPA at community college is 3.0 or greater. That’s a SMART way for students to earn their undergraduate degree!</p>

<p>[UMass</a> Lowell Offers New Tuition Discount for Community College Transfers : : UMass Lowell](<a href=“Pressroom | UMass Lowell”>http://www.uml.edu/media/PressReleases/UMass_Lowell_Announces_New_Tui.html)</p>

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<p>In our area, more and more top students are willing to attend one of the satellite campuses of our flagship schools while living at home. They still get a 4-year degree, high level professors, research opportunities and various clubs, etc. With generous merit aid available (often free tuition for students with 3.5+ GPA in high school) the costs are kept to a minimum.</p>

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<p>This is news? Going to community college for two years and then transferring to a four year university to complete a bachelor’s degree has been common for ages.</p>

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<p>I agree, but disagree with the student that other colleges aren’t worth it if you don’t know your major. Going to an exciting college is a great opportunity to explore a lot of different things, and students shouldn’t feel they need to know exactly what they want to do, in order to deserve the tuition payments.</p>

<p>That said, that kind of exploration can also be done at CC’s, state colleges and state universities. In fact, one of the best speeches I ever heard on the subject of “take this time to explore” was in the CS dept. at UMass Lowell.</p>

<p>The other thing to remember is that many colleges really do have good financial aid, and state schools are getting very expensive these days. CC’s are still in range, but state universities are getting too high for many. In that case, a private school might be a better bet.</p>

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<p>A very undecided student may find that starting at a community college reduces the financial and institutional pressure to decide quickly (within four semesters or six quarters).</p>

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<p>Financially there is less pressure, yes, but at CC many feel they should be on a career path already. And if they are transferring in 2 years, they will need to know their major before changing schools, which can be tougher because CC’s don’t offer all the courses that are available on other campuses.</p>

<p>I love our CC, but it is not for everyone.</p>

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<p>Well it worked for me and my 3 siblings back in the 70’s.</p>