“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.” ("Isaac Asimov." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2016.) This quote by Isaac Asimov perfectly states how I personally feel about assumptions. In any event, it is good to have an open mind, especially when it comes to people's personal experiences and struggles. It is better to be a thoughtful person rather than assuming things about people that may not be true. That being said, Assumptions about community college students are unfair and incorrect. Misled people say that community college students are unable to attend a four-year university. As well as a degree from a community college is not as good as a university degree. I …show more content…
have also heard the assumption that community colleges are inexpensive, so the education is not high quality. Additionally, people assume community colleges have low academic standards. However, these assumptions are pure fiction. I hope to undoubtedly put these arguments to rest. The first assumption that I hear a lot is that community college students are unable to attend a four-year university. Their reasoning for this outrageous claim is that we are not diligent enough to get accepted. Correspondingly, during my time at community college, i have met many students that would have no trouble getting into a four-year university. In fact, many students attend community college for convenience, family, job or financial considerations. The second assumption that floats around is the idea that a degree from a community college is not as good as a university degree. When in reality a community college degree is just a good as a degree from a four-year university, and can bring you straight into the workforce. Furthermore, Community colleges educate 62 percent of allied health professionals and over 80 percent of law enforcement officers and firefighters, according to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). ("American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)." American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2016.) The third assumption that many students hear is that Community colleges are inexpensive, so the education is not high quality.
This is the most ridiculous argument I have heard regarding education. Community colleges may be less expensive than four-year schools, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality education. Classes held at community colleges are usually smaller than university classes. The curriculum is more in-depth and there is more of an open exchange between teachers and students. Additionally, most of the time teachers from 4-year schools will teach at community colleges, consequently proving that community college quality of education is just as high as a 4-year university. The final assumption that is not as expressed as often is the thought that Community colleges have low academic standards. However, this is just simply not true. students usually have to take placement tests in order to qualify for college level work. Technical and special programs have high standards and students compete to enroll. Going off that, community colleges just offer extra support to students to see them succeed. As can be seen, The many negative assumptions about community college students were clearly proven to be wrong and misinformed. hopefully, I have put these unfair claims to rest. However, no matter what assumptions people may have about community college students, I can safely say that we will prove them to be wrong by continuingly be hardworking students in order
to achieve our future goals.
In the article “ Two Years are better than Four” written by Liz Addison she makes her claim very early on in the paper by stating that community college is the best option, because it has opportunities for any type of person. She goes to tell all of the advantages throughout the article. While in “College Prepares People for Life,” written by Freeman Hrabowski, states his claim being college teaches you more than just education but never goes on to tell you how college teaches you these things. With both claims explained, it is made clear that Liz Addison gives us a better look on how community colleges benefit everyone rather than Hrabowski barley mentioning his claim at all.
Entry to community college allows just that. Addison explains, “just follow any one of the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside—yes, independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” (212). Many potential college prospects are turned away because this self-discovery found in community college cannot be found in private college; however, Addison insists that community college is the golden ticket to regain these would-be scholars. To begin, acceptance is necessary for admittance to many colleges—not community college. In the words of Addison, “down at X.Y.C.C. it is still possible to enter the college experience as a rookie” (213). Any student desiring education, preparation, and self-discovery does not need to look any further than community college, which, for some students, is the only shot at the college experience. On top of this, community colleges provide opportunities like no college—public or private—could. Community colleges provide introductory courses that could not be found in regular institutions; this allows students to explore and get their feet under them. To find and pursue an interest proves more difficult at a college because intense classes are provided from the beginning, whether students have declared a major or have yet to decide. In sum, Addison claims that an atmosphere designed
I wholeheartedly endorse Addison’s argument community colleges contain an environment that allow their student, especially the high school students to get used to the adult live in a timely manner without affecting their grades. But, at some point all those high school students are growing up to become adults, where on their own they will have to manage and balance everything, it is not really
although, there is a lot to agree with within the article there are some faulty statements that two year colleges don’t offer the best education possible and that community college are more engaging and individualized for a student and the price is also much less expensive than a university education.
For something seemingly so obvious, it is often left out of the conversation. Rick Perlstein wrote about the change in “student life” and how it is “no longer all that important”(Perlstein), and Liz Addison wrote mostly about culture and the available beginning. Both fail to give justice to the central idea of increasing your level of education. Due to this idea, I disagree with part of Addison’s argument. If the purpose is to increase education, then how can two years be better than four? Technically speaking, an associate degree from community college is half of what a bachelors degree would be from a four year university. While everything has a starting point, where it finishes if often what is most important. The value of a start in community college, in my opinion, is that you can eventually get into a four year school you could not previously have gone to. I imagine Addison brings up her degree from the university she attended before mentioning the two community colleges she
Community college is the next step for higher education. Sara E. Keene explains the path she took to achieve the american dream in Keene’s article “Higher education and ‘The American Dream,’”. Keene quickly becomes disappointed with community colleges because instead of helping break down down social classes, ethnicity, and other social barriers and opportunities they are encouraging them. Keene wants all students to be equally challenged to reach their full potential. Just like her professors Ted Hamilton and Paula Clarke challenged her to reach their full potential. Keene believes that remedial courses do not help challenge students to become successful. I agree that all students should
...accessible for all students. In his article, Murray states, “Employers do not value what the student has learned, just that the student has a degree.” (Murray 233) Similarly, employers often do not value where the degree is from, just that one has been achieved. Thus, community college is the quintessential choice to not only “break the norm” of a B.A., but to aid in financial stability while doing so. Addison’s counterargument strongly disagrees with Murray’s overall argument, that college is not necessary.
Community colleges have been tool used by many American students and families as a means of affordable education for better life for themselves and their children. Community colleges has played a big role in helping middle and lower income families who can 't afford to go to 4 years colleges ,the chance to educate themselves and their children. Community college was created in order to give basic liberal , technical and vocational education to all willing to be educated.
There isn't anything more important to community colleges than the certainty that they can and should provide all qualified people who are looking to be accepted with admittance (Vaughan). The people of the community college represent forty-four percent of all undergraduates and forty-nine percent of students attending college for the first time (David). These students include a lot of minority students, students with a low social standing and the non-standard (age twenty-five and older) student who commonly enters college less academically equipped (David). Most community colleges have made immense advancement in reducing a lot of geographical and economic blockades that have in the past limited college admittance (David). Community colleges are to be expected to present significant support to increasing occupation proficiency in the future as additional workers realize they must continue to improve their ability all the way through their profession (Black). Many people believe, that because these students are less likely to be ready for college, that they have a better chance of failing (Weis). All students should have the right to expand their knowledge through higher education regardless of how they did in high school.
Although they are both a lot alike, there are many differentials of the two. Universities are known for having large campuses; consequently, resulting in large number of students in each class. While Universities can range from having 20-1000 participants at a time, community colleges usually have no more than 50 participants in a class. As a result of such a large class size, it is harder for a professor to be able to develop the one-on-one time with a student. Due to most co...
The two advantages are that you have more time to explore fields you want to study in and people who can’t afford college can get a college education. The two disadvantages are that there is a limited amount of majors and universities will have a higher expectation for two-year community colleges. In today 's society, there are many families that can 't afford college and have to take loans. The government should be able to take care of those needs. When people come fresh out of high school, a lot of people don’t usually know what they want to do with their life. There are reasons to why they might not offer particular majors at a community college such a budget and resources. Since community colleges would be free for people to apply to, it would be harder to transfer to a four-year
However, the idea of being successful is interpreted differently by those who carry a different socioeconomic status. This status is based upon one’s social class and their income, which is what gives the term successful such a wide range of definitions. This also often times goes hand in hand with how class attendance and performance is judged by parents of college students. With a higher socioeconomic status comes more money within the family, and in turn causes higher income families to send their kids to bigger and more expensive four-year universities that require more work in harder classes than more two-year community colleges. Harder classes with all the homework thrown on top can make it difficult for anyone from any socioeconomic background to excel, add skipping classes to this equation and it may seem near impossible to excel. This is where the family bank account comes into play. When kids don’t attend class and their grades follow suit by dropping wealthier families have the option to come out and say their kid gave it ‘the good ole college try’ and help finance another path to help them become successful. As for the other end of the spectrum, lower class families are often times putting a first generation college student into a position to help them move up the socioeconomic ladder with a college degree. Although, with tuition prices for a four-year out-of-state college averaging about $23,000 and in-state sits at roughly $10,000 the obvious choice for lower income families is a two-year community college that is a third of a four-year in-state university which is $3,300 (collegeboard). With such a large portion of their hard-earned savings invested into their children’s future the kids have a lot more on their shoulders to do well and attend
For the past few decades, receiving a college education has been a stressed importance in today’s society. However it is often misunderstood that attending a 4-year school is the best and only way to go. Following this belief, many students attend these schools with out being academically, financially, or mentally prepared. Unfortunately students like this have failed to over look the more realistic options available to them, such as community college. Junior college is a resource available to anyone regardless of his or her previous academic performance. The variety of courses and the inexpensive tuition gives students flexibility to explore the many options presented to them. Though Universities hold more prestige, community colleges provide endless opportunities for students who aren’t fully prepared for a 4-year education
What do people think when the words community college get brought up? How about, two-year college, more likely to drop out, or even a way for uninspired students to say they have a plan. When I think of community college, I think about how I get to stay close to home, I get to attend for free, anyone is welcome, and I am still getting an good education. Community college is underappreciated, many people believe that students will not get the college experience if they attend a community college, but I disagree. There are countless benefits to attending a two-year college. In the story, "Two Years Are Better than Four," the author and Southern Maine Community College graduate wrote an essay about the importance of community college and explains that college does still matter and she also expresses the benefits. Community college is a blessing in disguise, people need to understand and begin to take advantage of its benefits.
To begin with, I believe that college is affordable. I believe that if a person really wants to go to college than that person will achieve that goal by any means. A person who is determined to achieve higher education will exhaust all resources to make sure that this happens. There are many options to achieve this goal. These options include starting at a community college and transferring to a four-year college, applying for financial aid, obtaining a grant or scholarship, and taking out loans. These are all options that are available to anyone who wants to achieve higher education. Depending on the student and his or her goals, the best option may be starting at a community college. This gives the student an opportunity get general education courses out of the way and save money before transferring to a four-year college. If the student chooses to attend a four-year university, the student can apply for financial aid. Grants, scholarships, loans, and financial aid can help the student financially. The money will be applied towards expenses such as housing, classes, food, and books. If a person truly wants to attend college then that person will try every option before giving up. There is more to getting into college than just applying and hoping for the best.