Should Graduating Seniors Consider a Gap Year?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), nearly 20 million students were expected to attend colleges and universities in the fall of 2019. Another 3.7 million students are expected to graduate from public or private high schools in the spring of 2020. As of mid-March, schools nationwide have closed indefinitely to slow the spread of coronavirus disease, nicknamed COVID-19.

The current health crisis in the United States has resulted in drastic changes. Most states have issued “stay at home” orders, closing all non-life-sustaining businesses, which includes schools. Though many schools have made an effort to post lesson plans online, and teachers are doing their best to stay connected with students, many are left wondering about the state of the American education system and the fate of the class of 2020.

In this article, we’ll explore the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on graduating high school seniors, as well as how community colleges and traditional colleges and universities are responding to the times.

What Options Do High-School Seniors Have?

Senior year is a difficult one for many students. On top of finishing graduation requirements, many students spend the better part of the year completing college visits and submitting applications. Most applications are in by January or February, and students generally hope to hear back from schools sometime in April, with a national response date set for May 1.

As COVID-19 sweeps its way across the country, schools in most states have already closed their

In the movies, the typical college classroom is full of young, bright-eyed students who have just made the move from high school. They’re excited about being on their own for the first time and ready to take on the world. In reality, every college classroom looks different – especially community college classrooms. Community college students come from all walks of life, including those who went to work right out of high school and those working full-time jobs or raising a family.

Community college is where many nontraditional students go to obtain an education. The flexibility and affordability of community college compared to traditional four-year schools is a major draw, but there are still plenty of challenges to overcome. Read on to learn everything you need to know about succeeding in community college as a nontraditional student.

What is a Nontraditional Student?

When you think of the average college student, you probably picture someone 18 to 22 years old balancing their time between classes, the dorm room, and the student center.

Picture this instead: a 38-year-old single mother who works days at a restaurant, attending classes at night and on her days off. Or a military veteran attending classes online hoping to start a new career after completing his service. The truth is that 38% of undergrads are older than 25. Over 25% are parents, and 58% are working while attending classes.

Students like these are considered “nontraditional,” but what exactly does that mean? Nontraditional students

What is an Articulation Agreement and Why Should You Care?

If you were to ask any admissions counselor or community college administrator what an articulation agreement is, they wouldn’t hesitate to tell you.

• However, if you ask any student on a community college campus, you might not get the same response.
• Articulation agreements exist between many colleges, yet the majority of community college students have no idea what they are.

An articulation agreement is designed to create a seamless transfer experience for students moving from community college to four-year institutions.

• Not every community college has them, but most do, and they are an invaluable resource for transfer students.
• Read on to learn more about an articulation agreement and how it can benefit you as a community college student.

This video explains articulation agreements.

The Trouble with Transferring

According to the Community College Research Center, roughly 40% of undergraduates in the United States start their higher education at community colleges.

• Of those, 80% intend to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, and about 20% end up transferring to a four-year college or university.
• In the eyes of an incoming community college student, the future is bright, and community college is a stepping stone on the path to a four-year school.
• Unfortunately, that path is not as easy to navigate as one would hope.
• Between the challenges of completing prerequisites and

Nearly six million students are enrolled in community college each year, many with the intent of eventually transferring to a traditional four-year university. That transfer is not without challenges, however, as many schools don’t accept all community college credits, and transfer acceptance rates remain relatively low. Those who do make the transfer tend to succeed. So, why do colleges and universities overlook community college students, and why do more students not transfer?

In this article, we’ll look at the statistics for how many community college students move on to four-year colleges and universities. We’ll also explore the data on how well they perform and provide some tips for community college students considering transferring.

How Many Community College Students Transfer?

As college tuition costs continue to rise and more families struggle to make ends meet, the number of students who choose to start their college education at community college continues to grow. Community college appeals to many because the tuition is typically more affordable, and other costs can be kept low by living at home versus on campus. Community colleges also offer flexible scheduling for non-traditional students, including single parents and adults returning to school.

According to an article published by the National Student Clearinghouse, about 80% of entering community college students want to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher, making them likely to transfer to a four-year college at some point. However, only 29% of community college students who started classes in the