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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
   
Location: Texas | I like junior colleges. the key is, know what university you want to transfer to, read their policies on transfer guidelines and what will and won't transfer. and make GOOD grades. I don't blame a 4 year university for not accepting Cs or Ds from a junior college. ( I know Cs will transfer but sometimes for your major universities want better)
I looked at my degree plan, read what they would and would not accept, and didn't take classes I knew wouldn't transfer. I was able to get two full years out of it and every single credit transferred.
One example I will put- organic chemistry is offered at the junior college near me. A&M specified on their website that for vet school they wouldn't accept O-chem from a junior college. So I didn't waste my time taking it there, I took it at TAMUK. Had I not read all the fine print, I would have found myself retaking a year of organic chemistry! |
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Sideways Riding Expert
Posts: 11371
Location: ND--it snows, it floods, it snows, it floods | Griz - 2014-05-27 11:11 AM I can't understand why EVERYBODY doesn't go to a Jr. college first. Who cares about the "prestige" of going to a 4-yr school the whole time! My first 2 years of school were "free" except living expenses due to sports/music scholarships and all of my credits transferred right to K-State.
If a person KNOWS what they are going to go into and are set on it then I don't see the need for a community or jr. college. If a person is up in the air then going to a jr./community is the way to get the non-major requists done (math, laungauge, English ect.) Also, I think, if the oppertunity presents itself that high schoolers should be taking more college credit courses if they can manage it.
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | I work at a community college and love it. My husband attended one for two years and so did my mom for a nursing degree. The great thing about them is how affordable they are. But if someone knows they are going to a university, they should get their transferable basics out of the way. I see a lot of students end up spending a lot of money or getting a lot of loans getting an associate's they don't need. They may be at the community college for 4-5 years just to get basics. Now if that's all someone can afford or they work full time or they are behind in terms of needing to take developmental classes, then that's different. I see a lot of 18 year olds with an idea of what they want to do and the college they want to attend get trapped into pursuing classes they don't need and can't transfer and being here two or three semesters longer than necessary. As they say, get in, get your stuff, and get out. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| oija - 2014-05-27 6:53 PM
I work at a community college and love it. My husband attended one for two years and so did my mom for a nursing degree. The great thing about them is how affordable they are. But if someone knows they are going to a university, they should get their transferable basics out of the way. I see a lot of students end up spending a lot of money or getting a lot of loans getting an associate's they don't need. They may be at the community college for 4-5 years just to get basics. Now if that's all someone can afford or they work full time or they are behind in terms of needing to take developmental classes, then that's different. I see a lot of 18 year olds with an idea of what they want to do and the college they want to attend get trapped into pursuing classes they don't need and can't transfer and being here two or three semesters longer than necessary. As they say, get in, get your stuff, and get out.
I think people look down on "community" colleges but I can tell you there is so much more behind finding success in your career. I took my 2 year at a community college for Paralegal and I asked many attorneys their thoughts on hiring someone with a degree from a community college or say Hamline (fancy, expensive private college). They said that doesnt deter them or impress them one way or another. Ultimately its the skills, work history and other factors that land you the job you want. |
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 Toy Story Fanatic
Posts: 4148
Location: Oregon | Here it was $600 semester compared to $6000 semester for Community versus University. My son knew what he wanted to do(civil engineer), It was cheaper to take the prerequisites at Community College that would transfer to the University.At the end his diploma is from the University. But he saved a lot of money by opting to get credits for classes that would transfer for his end degree.
Edited by squeek 2014-05-27 9:29 PM
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| squeek - 2014-05-27 9:26 PM
Here it was $600 semester compared to $6000 semester for Community versus University. My son knew what he wanted to do(civil engineer), It was cheaper to take the prerequisites at Community College that would transfer to the University.At the end his diploma is from the University. But he saved a lot of money by opting to get credits for classes that would transfer for his end degree.
I did this also. The community college and the university had like a partnership so my two year paralegal transferred directly into a criminal justice bachelors. I essentially got two degrees in in 4 years. My A.S is from a community college but my B.A is from a University. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| lindseylou2290 - 2014-05-27 12:44 PM Griz - 2014-05-27 11:11 AM I can't understand why EVERYBODY doesn't go to a Jr. college first. Who cares about the "prestige" of going to a 4-yr school the whole time! My first 2 years of school were "free" except living expenses due to sports/music scholarships and all of my credits transferred right to K-State. not everyone NEEDS to go jr college or CC and the credits do not always transfer. I agree that it is a good option for many but, I had scholarships AND worked my way through college. I came out with no student loans and my parents did not help me either. The caveat here ... I WORKED for it and chose my path with guidance from my parents. I didn't choose to accept the invitations to attend major, prestigious 4 year institutions. But I did attend a decent sized 4 year state university. I think many in my generation don't know how to work for something ... for various reasons.
I guess I was just very lucky. All my credits transferred and my first 2 years were "free." I WORKED all through college too though so I wouldn't have to pay loans for 25 years after graduation. - I still paid about 5 years after graduation. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| casualdust07 - 2014-05-27 2:16 PM I like junior colleges. the key is, know what university you want to transfer to, read their policies on transfer guidelines and what will and won't transfer. and make GOOD grades. I don't blame a 4 year university for not accepting Cs or Ds from a junior college. ( I know Cs will transfer but sometimes for your major universities want better) I looked at my degree plan, read what they would and would not accept, and didn't take classes I knew wouldn't transfer. I was able to get two full years out of it and every single credit transferred. One example I will put- organic chemistry is offered at the junior college near me. A&M specified on their website that for vet school they wouldn't accept O-chem from a junior college. So I didn't waste my time taking it there, I took it at TAMUK. Had I not read all the fine print, I would have found myself retaking a year of organic chemistry!
This - 100%. |
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 Arriving at the last minute!
Posts: 5148
Location: Kansas | I think there is to much pressure to put kids through college. So many flunk out and are there not caring how they do because parents are footing the bill. I told mine that I wasn't a wise saver and they need to get good grades or figure out a way to get the scholarships etc. College is way over rated so many go and can't make squat when they get out. I think going to a trade school anymore is a wise choice. Same with weddings. I told my daughter I would pay so much to help and the rest is on her. She wanted to go all out and she paid for a lot of if. And I didn't go in debt over it. She figured it out and I am not in the poor house. |
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 Over Informed
Posts: 5372
Location: West Tennessee | TXBO - 2014-05-24 3:56 PM WTF is music therapy?
Someone probably already answered but I believe it's therapy for the mentally challenged be it the elderly with memory problems or children with learning disabilities.
Just to add -- I recently read an article about dance therapy and dementia patients & alledgedly, it's proving very valuable in memory therapy? I personally don't see anything wrong with these fields or therapies -- however, one needs to be realistic if chosing them for a career. Just like going to Vet school & expecting to have the earning potential of a medical doctor / it rarely happens. My understanding is that in a small animal practice in the city, the top of the earnings bracket is around 100 thousand.
I'll confess now that I didn't finish reading all the comments and maybe I'm wearing rose colored glasses: but, I kind of read the point of the article as a warning more than whining or complaining? |
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 Baby Blue's
Posts: 7306
Location: Texas | stayceem - 2014-05-24 10:51 PM I am drowning in student loans... ($500/mo) I know I know it could be worse. My parents didnt qualify for anything and I was the 3rd kid to go through school. I started at a community college and then transfered those into another school for my bachelors. I paid all my summer classes, books, etc out of my pocket. I worked full time and went to school full time for my education. I am very proud of it. I am still trying to get a job in my field but i continue to volunteer on my days off to try and get a leg up. Now what gets me, is as I work my butt off there are other people getting it handed to them. An old friend of mine, is a single Mom. She lives for $17/mo (no typo there) and gets all college free. Books too. She then gets to sell her books after the semester. She's never worked a day in her life and her Uncle told me shes surpassed me in schooling and shes gonna get a better job than I ever could. Shes going on to get her masters in Criminal Justice (hasnt started the program yet). I have my bachelors right now so essentially we have the same degree. My two years at the community college gave me a A.S paralegal degree also. He said shes been in school 6 years... yea well not my fault it took her 6 years and not 4. its not just my generation its people like him who support those living off our assistance programs. How do people expect to get jobs without work experience??!!! Rant over...
I'm not able to do the math on this one. So, you went to jr college first, paid off your summer class expenses, worked full time, and you're STILL "swimming" in student loan debt for just 4 semesters at a university? What is your degree?
And I got a job with only 5 years of waitress experience - you get them when you receive a skill via college (engineering, teacher, etc).
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Griz - 2014-05-28 5:31 AM lindseylou2290 - 2014-05-27 12:44 PM Griz - 2014-05-27 11:11 AM I can't understand why EVERYBODY doesn't go to a Jr. college first. Who cares about the "prestige" of going to a 4-yr school the whole time! My first 2 years of school were "free" except living expenses due to sports/music scholarships and all of my credits transferred right to K-State. not everyone NEEDS to go jr college or CC and the credits do not always transfer. I agree that it is a good option for many but, I had scholarships AND worked my way through college. I came out with no student loans and my parents did not help me either. The caveat here ... I WORKED for it and chose my path with guidance from my parents. I didn't choose to accept the invitations to attend major, prestigious 4 year institutions. But I did attend a decent sized 4 year state university. I think many in my generation don't know how to work for something ... for various reasons.
Exactly - you did your homework and your credits transferred and you worked!  Just like casualdust said ... she checked that the classes she was taking were going to transfer for the degree she was/is trying to obtain. I know many people that didn't do that and ended up with more debt and indecision when they tried to transfer to a state 4 year.
I guess it just bugs the heck out of me when people don't plan and then rely on others/parents/gov't to bail them out of a bad decision - like in the article - these people are so freakin' far in debt, I'm just amazed! |
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Baby Blue's
Posts: 7306
Location: Texas | The real issue with "this generation" is that nobody is poor anymore. I mean really poor -- not poor but wear Nikes, get manicures, drive a decent car, etc. It's honestly been years since I've actually met a poor person - you know, that works multiple jobs just to cover the bills. Just last week my daughter's friend's trailer burned down. I drove by it. Wow, even before the fire it was almost unlivable - both parents don't work. What in the world? You have TWO children to take care of and nobody has a job? The economy is pretty fantastic here so there is no excuse. None.
I grew up "for real poor." Single mom that worked multiple jobs and did whatever she could to not take a handout (never did). Pride's really hard to come by these days. College to me was a door to opportunity. Period. I knew it was necessary and I treated it that way. Growing up poor is quite the privilege once you make it to the other side. I worry about my own kids and how to teach them about fiscal responsibility. Nothing teaches a kid like actually not having money, you know?
Edited by bocephus's mama 2014-05-28 1:57 PM
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| bocephus's mama - 2014-05-28 9:01 AM
stayceem - 2014-05-24 10:51 PM I am drowning in student loans... ($500/mo) I know I know it could be worse. My parents didnt qualify for anything and I was the 3rd kid to go through school. I started at a community college and then transfered those into another school for my bachelors. I paid all my summer classes, books, etc out of my pocket. I worked full time and went to school full time for my education. I am very proud of it. I am still trying to get a job in my field but i continue to volunteer on my days off to try and get a leg up. Now what gets me, is as I work my butt off there are other people getting it handed to them. An old friend of mine, is a single Mom. She lives for $17/mo (no typo there) and gets all college free. Books too. She then gets to sell her books after the semester. She's never worked a day in her life and her Uncle told me shes surpassed me in schooling and shes gonna get a better job than I ever could. Shes going on to get her masters in Criminal Justice (hasnt started the program yet). I have my bachelors right now so essentially we have the same degree. My two years at the community college gave me a A.S paralegal degree also. He said shes been in school 6 years... yea well not my fault it took her 6 years and not 4. its not just my generation its people like him who support those living off our assistance programs. How do people expect to get jobs without work experience??!!! Rant over...
I'm not able to do the math on this one. So, you went to jr college first, paid off your summer class expenses, worked full time, and you're STILL "swimming" in student loan debt for just 4 semesters at a university? What is your degree?
And I got a job with only 5 years of waitress experience - you get them when you receive a skill via college (engineering, teacher, etc).
Yes. I worked full time but to pay for my living expenses, car, my horse etc. I Paid for summer classes out of pocket, roughly $1200 per summer and books which ranged from $400-$800 per semester + summer classes which were usually about $200. I still accumulated 2 years of student loan debt from the jr college and two and a half years from the University. My point was, I didnt take out any "extra." I didnt use student loan money for a few classes (summer ones) and I didnt use student loan money to puchase books. In total I probably paid for 8k-10k out of pocket throughout the whole deal but in the grand scheme of a 50k education... you still have a lot of student loan debt. I also had to pull 2 private loans with my Dad as a co-signer because my parents had so much invested in my older sisters for loans.
I have a A.S paralegal degree and a B.A in Criminal Justice. The two years in jr college (paralegal) transferred directly (all credits) into my 4 year. The entire program should have taken 5 years but with summer classes and a few heavy semesters I got done a tad early. |
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