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Author Topic:   whats better community colleges or universities?
mest6757
Junior Member (Idle past 5368 days)
Posts: 1
From: san antonio
Joined: 07-06-2009


Message 1 of 15 (514442)
07-07-2009 2:53 PM


whats better Universities or community colleges? give me reasons why or why not

Replies to this message:
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Taz
Member (Idle past 3282 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 2 of 15 (514443)
07-07-2009 2:57 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by mest6757
07-07-2009 2:53 PM


Community colleges are meant for the first 2 years if you want to save money. After you have your associates, you can go to a 4 year college or university to get your bachelors.

This message is a reply to:
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Perdition
Member (Idle past 3228 days)
Posts: 1593
From: Wisconsin
Joined: 05-15-2003


Message 3 of 15 (514448)
07-07-2009 3:35 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by mest6757
07-07-2009 2:53 PM


Here in Wisconsin we have a unique set-up. The University of Wisconsin System is a combination of 13 Universities (including Madison and Milwaukee, which grant doctorates) and 13 colleges. The Universities, with the exception of Madison and Milwaukee (see above) will grant Bachelor's and Master's degrees, while the colleges will grant up to Associate's degrees.
I went to a college for my first two years before transferring to Madison for my Bachelor's degree. This allowed me to stay at home and save up more money, rather than paying for a place to stay as well as school.
The philosophy behind this set-up is that the boundaries of the University should be the boundaries of the sate and everyone who wants a higher education should have the opportunity to get one.

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AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8493
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 4.7


Message 4 of 15 (514449)
07-07-2009 3:35 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by mest6757
07-07-2009 2:53 PM


Depends on personality and finances
Depends on personality and finanaces.
Some kids are not ready to leave the comforts of home to be on their own at a 4-year institution, some are.
Some can affort the price of a 4-year with separate room and board books, fees, etc., some cannot.
A Community College is a good half step toward a 4-year program rather than doing nothing waiting for either of the above to change. It also may be an end in itself for those unable or unwilling to go the full way to a Bachelor's Degree.
Edited by AZPaul3, : fat fingers.
Edited by AZPaul3, : I am never going to get this right.

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Brian
Member (Idle past 4949 days)
Posts: 4659
From: Scotland
Joined: 10-22-2002


Message 5 of 15 (514452)
07-07-2009 3:58 PM


Bit different in the Scotland
In Scotland studying at college can allow you to enter a University degree course in the 2nd or even third year of that course. Not all Unis have this, but I know lots of people who have completed 2 years at College and their HND (Higher National Diploma) has enabled them to miss out the first year at uni.
Some Unis, Napier for example, allow you to go into 3rd year from college.
So, you can save money, stay closer to home, and get the degree you would like and it may not even take you any longer to achieve.
Edited by Brian, : No reason given.

  
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 6 of 15 (514453)
07-07-2009 4:50 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by mest6757
07-07-2009 2:53 PM


Better?
whats better Universities or community colleges? give me reasons why or why not
Depends on what you mean when you say "better." If you mean which is more prestigious, generally universities are. Obviously it looks better on a resume to have a doctorate from Cambridge University versus an AA out of Shitwater Community College.
But in many ways a community college is better in the sense that it is far less expensive, you could stay in your hometown, if that's what you want, and instead of going to a bazillion dollar school per semester while trying to figure out what your major should be, you have more time and options to research it.
I am of the opinion that college in general really means squat now or days without a degree higher than a bachelors. I think too much emphasis has been placed on going to college presenting a false sense of security.
Back in the olden days a college education was more valuable than gold. It was only that way because a privaleged few could go. The disparity between college and non-college people was extremely evident. At this point in time the lines are blurred more than they ever been.
I think more technical and trade schools should be pushed as an option. There is this sense among the snooty crowd that somehow technical schools are inferior. Yeah, right... While college is what the student makes of it, the majority of its graduates are morons; beer-guzzling, fornicating morons who learn nothing except where to party.
This is not to say that higher education is useless, because it is not. I just think the premise that college is the only route to get any where in life limits people's potential. You cannot learn to be an airline mechanic (a 100-200k a year job) by going to an Ivy League school.
Anyway, those are my two cents. Don't spend it all in one place.

"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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Coyote
Member (Idle past 2096 days)
Posts: 6117
Joined: 01-12-2008


Message 7 of 15 (514460)
07-07-2009 8:56 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by Hyroglyphx
07-07-2009 4:50 PM


Re: Better?
You don't call Ivy Leaguers when your toilet is stopped up.
But you do pay big bucks! Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Perhaps there's more than one way to skin a cat than boiling it in extra virgin olive oil.

Religious belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge.

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Theodoric
Member
Posts: 9053
From: Northwest, WI, USA
Joined: 08-15-2005
Member Rating: 3.4


Message 8 of 15 (514465)
07-07-2009 9:18 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Perdition
07-07-2009 3:35 PM


What branch did you go to?
I live near UW-Barron. I know people that go there and an instructor. Seems to be a very good place for people to start.
My wife and her sister went to UW-Eau Claire and their other sister went to UW-Milwaukee.
I am a private college boy. Went to a good catholic school. College of St Scholastica in Duluth, MN. The only reason I stayed longer than one year is they kept giving me more aid every year. I was the only Spanish surname person on campus in the early '80's.
By the way Scholastica is where my atheism bloomed.

Facts don't lie or have an agenda. Facts are just facts

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RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 9 of 15 (514468)
07-07-2009 10:12 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by mest6757
07-07-2009 2:53 PM


Hi mest6757, interesting question.
whats better Universities or community colleges? give me reasons why or why not.
If you have good grades, from a good high school (have your counselor check the rating of your school as used by universities to compare grades) ...
If you took a lot of AP (advanced placement) classes ...
If you did well in math ...
If you did some independent study in a science field ...
If you did science projects or other non-curricula activities associated with learning ...
If you have a clear idea of a field you want to study and major in ...
Then a university will likely be a good choice. Whether (your) state or private or (another) state university will depend on (a) your finances and (b) whether the university teaches your desired field.
Many will offer financial assistance, either as grants or as jobs.
Even one year at a community college can help you fill in areas where you are weak (say in maths or biology) due to either your personal ability, the courses you took, or the lack of good teaching (sad to say, common) in high schools. It may also count as freshman year at a university, with proper planning. However CC's can be limited in what they offer to study.
Another option is a technical college, one that specializes in your desired field of study. They are somewhere between CC's and U's.
A year or two at a community college while also working in the real world can help you focus on your long term goals, and really see the importance of an education.
The other side of the question though, is what your purpose is in going to school -
- if it is to get a "good" job, then you need to pick a career that you can become adept at (engineering is not for people who can't do math), and be aware that many technical jobs now require at least a Master's Degree (if not a PhD) before your resume gets in the door.
- if it is to learn how the universe operates, then be prepared for a life long quest.
Enjoy.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
Rebel American Zen Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


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This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by mest6757, posted 07-07-2009 2:53 PM mest6757 has not replied

  
Perdition
Member (Idle past 3228 days)
Posts: 1593
From: Wisconsin
Joined: 05-15-2003


Message 10 of 15 (514501)
07-08-2009 11:57 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Theodoric
07-07-2009 9:18 PM


I went to UW-Fox Valley, near Appleton (30 minutes south of Green Bay). It was very akin to a continuation of high school, 20-25 person classes, everything was in one building. It was a great way for me to transition from the more structured life at high school to the almost anything goes class set-up of college.
Edited by Perdition, : sp

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anglagard
Member (Idle past 827 days)
Posts: 2339
From: Socorro, New Mexico USA
Joined: 03-18-2006


Message 11 of 15 (514666)
07-10-2009 11:49 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by mest6757
07-07-2009 2:53 PM


Disclaimer: I work for a community college
mest6757 writes:
whats better Universities or community colleges? give me reasons why or why not
San Antonio, eh? Mind if I presume you mean San Antonio, TX and not San Antonio, NM .
In Texas, the average cost per unit for a public community college is around 1/3 that of a public university, and private colleges are of course much more than that.
The primary reason to just jump straight to a university is if your credentials or family riches (or even poverty when combined with achievement) allow for finances to be a minor consideration. Also most decent universities in your area are quite large, so preparedness for those large freshmen classes taught by grad students instead of the famous prof mentioned in the schedule may be a drawback.
You may want to also consider another factor, namely that community college instructors in Texas are rated by the ability to teach, while college professors achieve tenure through research and publishing, teaching ability is not a consideration.
However, as others here have pointed out, with the possible exception of a few lucrative skills like welding taught at trade schools, cashing in on a degree means that a university will be unavoidable. Also, unless intent on becoming a registered nurse or electrical engineer, graduate school and an advanced degree are necessary to return any investment of time and money.
Hope that helps.

Read not to contradict and confute, not to believe and take for granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider - Francis Bacon
The more we understand particular things, the more we understand God - Spinoza

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by mest6757, posted 07-07-2009 2:53 PM mest6757 has not replied

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BMG
Member (Idle past 199 days)
Posts: 357
From: Southwestern U.S.
Joined: 03-16-2006


Message 12 of 15 (514688)
07-10-2009 10:54 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by anglagard
07-10-2009 11:49 AM


CSU Spring 2010 semester
San Antonio, eh? Mind if I presume you mean San Antonio, TX and not San Antonio, NM .
At least he isn't trying to enroll in a CSU, as I am trying, currently. I heard today all CSU's will not accept applications for the Spring 2010 semester.
I missed the enrollment date for the Fall 2009 semester, and today I caught drift of the Spring 2010 semester... incredibly frustrating, to say the least.
Sorry to complain, I needed to vent.

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DevilsAdvocate
Member (Idle past 3091 days)
Posts: 1548
Joined: 06-05-2008


Message 13 of 15 (514694)
07-11-2009 5:44 AM


Another option is distance learning. Having attended eight colleges/universities in my 17 years of undergraduate study (I am a 16 year AD military vet and full time dad and husband), I have had to resort to taking classes online just to spend a decent amount of time w/ my family. Currently I have been taking classes online w/ University of Maryland (UMUC) for about the last 5 years, completed an AA and am about to finish a BA in Compute & Information Science.
Distance learning is great for full time employees and professionals who do not have a lot of time to attend classes in a brick & morter. Just make sure the college/university you attend is fully regionally (not nationally) accredited i.e Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, etc. and has a wel-recognized and reputible DL program.
However distance learning is not for everyone. In some ways it is more difficult if you are not already self-disciplined. You have to stick to a regiment. It is real easy to procrastinate and then fail a class if you do not stay on top of your reading and turn in your work on time.
Just a thought.
Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.

For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
Dr. Carl Sagan

Replies to this message:
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anglagard
Member (Idle past 827 days)
Posts: 2339
From: Socorro, New Mexico USA
Joined: 03-18-2006


Message 14 of 15 (514764)
07-12-2009 10:01 AM
Reply to: Message 13 by DevilsAdvocate
07-11-2009 5:44 AM


DevilsAdvocate writes:
You have to stick to a regiment.
Actually, one does not have to even stick to a brigade or even battalion to take online classes in Texas.
One can sign up at any community college in the state for classes from the Virtual College of Texas for accredited, transferable (naturally depending on degree) units.

Read not to contradict and confute, not to believe and take for granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider - Francis Bacon
The more we understand particular things, the more we understand God - Spinoza

This message is a reply to:
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DevilsAdvocate
Member (Idle past 3091 days)
Posts: 1548
Joined: 06-05-2008


Message 15 of 15 (515021)
07-14-2009 9:24 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by anglagard
07-12-2009 10:01 AM


Anglagar writes:
Actually, one does not have to even stick to a brigade or even battalion to take online classes in Texas.
Good one!

For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
Dr. Carl Sagan

This message is a reply to:
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