Overview

What is a community college and why are more students turning to them? Who are some of the most famous community college graduates? Here you’ll find the answers to these questions and more.

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Giving Back: Community Colleges on the President's Honor Roll for Community Service

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Giving Back: Community Colleges on the President's Honor Roll for Community Service
Learn about the community colleges being honored by President Obama for their stellar contributions to their local areas.

The latest President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is out. And some of the community colleges that made the grade are making repeat appearances on the list. These schools have shown exemplary performance in civic engagement and community service. The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll was first established in 2006 by the Corporation for National and Community Service to recognize schools of higher education that go above and beyond their basic educational responsibilities to serve their surrounding communities more effectively. We'll take a closer look at this prestigious honor and some of the community colleges that made the grade this year.

About the Honor Roll

Since he took office, President Obama has issued a national call to service as a major cause for his administration. The president wanted to acknowledge the schools of higher education around the country that went the extra mile to meet the needs of their communities and find solutions to common social problems. As a result, the President's Honor Roll for Community Service was created. Appointees for the annual honor roll are chosen through the Corporation for National and Community Service work in collaboration with the Department of Education, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Contact and the American Council on Education.

Many factors go into the selection of colleges and universities for the honor roll. According to the website of the Corporation for National and Community Service, some of the features schools must exhibit

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How to Earn Your Associate's Degree in Less than Two Years

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How to Earn Your Associate's Degree in Less than Two Years
It no longer takes two years to earn your associate’s degree. Learn about programs at community colleges that grant degrees after one year, as well as strategies you can utilize to graduate earlier.

The associate's degree has become a popular way to begin or advance a career today, as it can be earned in less time than it takes to obtain a bachelor's degree. Students can cut time even more through various strategies that get them out of community college and into the workforce in less than two years. Consider these tips to help you get the training and education you need to advance your career – in much less time than a traditional degree program.

Choosing a Community College

The first step in shortening your stay at a community college is to choose a school that offers an accelerated degree program. According to a recent report in USA Today, some community colleges are getting rather creative in their programming structure to help students earn complete associate's degrees in less time. Some colleges have even been able to cut their program time in half, allowing students to get their associate’s degrees and move into the workforce in a single year.

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College will begin offering a fall-trimester format to students interested in graduating early. Course schedules will switch from 16 weeks to 14 weeks, allowing students to complete the trimester in a shorter period of time. To compensate for lost time during the term, courses will be extended by 10 minutes daily, allowing professors to condense the material into a shorter trimester. Courses will be available during the fall, spring, and summer

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High School Diploma vs. GED

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High School Diploma vs. GED
Does it make a difference whether you earn your high school diploma or a GED? Grace Chen looks at the issue in detail.

The lack of a high school diploma, or its equivalent, precludes a college education and is a substantial barrier to compete successfully in the workforce. For students currently in high school, it is essential to see it through until graduation. Those who have already dropped out of high school need to obtain a GED in order to put their best foot forward in the workforce. This article compares high school diplomas and GEDs in terms of their acceptance by colleges and universities, the business world, and the military. The article also discusses how homeschooled high school graduates show that they have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.

This video offers some tips about earning your GED.

Regular High School Diplomas

A high school diploma from a traditional brick and mortar school that requires attendance in a classroom is the gold standard in demonstrating completion of high school and mastery of traditional high school skills. A high school diploma signifies that the holder has attended and successfully completed all the courses required by the applicable school district. A transcript of the courses taken and grades issued, a common requirement for college and job applications, can be furnished upon request.
Acceptance: Colleges and universities, businesses, and each branch of the United States military accept a regular high school diploma. In order to attend college, a high school diploma or GED is required for admission. Students who have

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7 Top Community College Myths

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7 Top Community College Myths
Learn the top 7 myths about community colleges.

More than 40% of the nation’s college-aged students begin their academic careers at community colleges, according to the US Department of Education. Despite their abilities to provide students with a stellar education, community colleges are surrounded by outdated, inaccurate myths. Although there are some elements of truth, many misperceptions may play a large role in the right choice you make for your college education.

Empower yourself with knowledge of the truth, as the top seven community college myths are hereby exposed!

MYTH #1: Students attend community college because they were not accepted to four-year universities.

THE REALITY: When reviewing statistics of transfer admissions, it is clear that universities see the academic strength in transfer students. For example, 33% of all applicants from California community colleges are accepted into UC Berkeley, which is significantly higher than the 26% of California high school students who applied. Or, for the University of Virginia, over 60% of transfer applications from Piedmont Virginia Community College were accepted, which is a greater ratio than the 50% of students who are accepted as freshmen from in-state high schools.

With the increasing economic burdens felt on individuals and families, many students are making the financially savvy choice of attending community college. The continuously rising costs of university tuition can present a large burden for many families, and by attending a community college, students can save on tuition and living costs.

In addition, many students can gain admission into four-year universities before enrolling in community

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Discover the opportunities in the healthcare field. Your community college offers the courses and training you need to fill a job in this field that always seems to have openings.
The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College
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Can you really have an authentic college experience while living off-campus? This article explores the pros and cons of campus housing for community college students.
Community Colleges: A to Z
February 21, 2024
Community Colleges: A to Z
Explore the diverse landscape of community colleges with our comprehensive guide, 'Community CollegeS: A to Z.' From academic programs to student support services, this article provides a look at everything community colleges have to offer.

Why Community College

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