Getting Started

Today's students enjoy more programs and degree opportunities at community colleges than ever before! However, with so many choices, finding the right community college can be overwhelming. While there are many factors to consider in choosing a community college, there are four specific checklist steps you can take to choose the perfect community college for your future.

While each high school year has unique and specific goals, seniors can begin to prepare for their step in higher education as they make plans to attend community college.

Developing a Plan for Enrollment

As a senior, you will make many important decisions regarding the next phase of your life. Choosing a community college means finding a campus that is in line with your goals, both academically and professionally.

Since community colleges can provide students with different areas of academic focus, students can begin their investigation of specific schools by requesting catalogs from each community college. Catalogs and websites will provide information about programs, course schedules, and graduation plans. After reviewing information, a senior can also make an appointment with a college counselor. A counselor can discuss with student plans for a career, job interests, and professional guidance. After narrowing down career options, a counselor and senior can discuss whether or not a particular college is a right fit for specific areas of study.

This video offers suggestions for planning your first year at community college.

Financial Planning - Anticipating the Costs

As the costs of college can often be expensive, high school seniors and parents can make the appropriate plans by reviewing financial aid and loan options.

Remember, community college is indeed much more affordable than traditional four-year institutions. However, planning ahead will help the senior determine whether or not to

Many things factor in one’s selection process when choosing a community college. After briefly introducing you to these factors, we will discuss each factor in detail in turn. Here are some of the selection criteria that students consider when investigating community colleges:

• Why are you going to school?
• If you plan to continue with a four-year degree, what type of articulation agreements does the community college have with four-year colleges?
• What type of coursework do you need?
• Is cost an issue?
• Do you want or need a virtual campus?
• Do you have a four-year college in mind?
• Location, Location, Location!
• On-Campus Activities
• Student Support

Let’s look at each of these factors in detail now that we have introduced them to you.

Most people attending a four-year college go with the sole target of getting a four-year bachelor’s degree to help prepare them for their professional careers. But with community colleges, students attend for different purposes. Many students attend to get a two-year degree. There are, however, other end goals for students including transferring to a four-year college, getting a high school diploma, remedial education including “English as a Second language, personal growth, professional certification, or workplace required continuing education.” While nationwide statistics were not available, numbers are available by looking at records that BellevueCommunity College in Bellevue, Washington, collected from 2002 to 2004 on the purposes that their students reported for their enrollment intent. The following statistics are from their Fall 2004 student population (the statistics do not total 100% probably due to rounding down