Student Issues / Attending College

Academics, extracurricular activities, housing and more: be savvy about all facets of attending community college. Get tips on making the Dean's list. Find ways to benefit from community college outside the classroom. Analyze the latest data on graduation and employment rates. Plus news from journals, blogs and more.

View the most popular articles in Student Issues / Attending College:

The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College

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The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College
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.

Many people who enter college become preoccupied with having an authentic college experience. They imagine late nights spent poring over textbooks, engaging in classroom discussions, and even wild parties on the weekend. But the truth is that there is no one true college experience. Each college and each student is unique. However, certain things about college can enhance or detract from your experience. One of them is on-campus housing.

The price differential between a four-year school versus a two-year school is staggering. But you may not realize that much of that price difference isn’t related to tuition or education fees. It is for housing. For many colleges, room and board is just as expensive (or more so) than tuition costs and fees. Going to a community college can save you a lot of money, but do you have to forgo the opportunity to live in on-campus housing? Maybe not.

How Many Community Colleges Offer Housing?

According to a recent American Association of Community Colleges poll, about 25% of community colleges in the United States offer their students on-campus housing. This number has risen dramatically since 2000, and it continues to rise. Among the latest community colleges to open on-campus residence halls for students are Jefferson Community College in New York, Rose State College in Oklahoma, and Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania, to name a few.

Below, you will find a list of other community

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Things to Include in Your College Application Essay

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Things to Include in Your College Application Essay
Most colleges and universities require an essay as part of the application process, but how important is the essay really and what can you do to make sure yours stands out?

Deciding which colleges to apply to is difficult enough, but you add to that the stress of writing a personal essay for each of your applications. Your personal essay is supposed to give college admissions teams a snapshot of who you are as a person and who you hope to become but you don’t have to spill your guts or transcribe your whole life story. To increase your chances of getting accepted, first learn just how important your essay is, and then take the time to learn the Dos and Don’ts of college application essays.

How Important is Your Application Essay?

Every year, colleges and universities receive hundreds or even thousands of applications. Many of those applications are virtually identical in terms of GPA, class load, and test scores – so how do you make yourself stand out in a crowd? The college application essay is designed to give you a chance to speak directly to the admissions committee, to tell them who you are and why you want to go to their school. But is your application essay more important than the rest of your application or is it just one factor that admissions committees weigh evenly with your GPA and test scores?

According to an article published on Time.com, college application essays aren’t as important as they are cracked up to be. In fact, Stanford sociologist Mitchell Stevens worked alongside admissions officers at numerous top-tier liberal arts schools for 18 months and he discovered that in

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Getting into Law School with a Community College Degree

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Getting into Law School with a Community College Degree
You don't have to be a pre-law major to get into law school, but how will your application be impacted by your community college degree?

Community college appeals to people from all walks of life for several reasons. For some, community college offers a degree of flexibility that can’t be had at some colleges and universities, and for others, it is a way to save money on tuition. But will graduating from a community college instead of a traditional college or university hurt your chances of success in pursuing a career in certain fields? Keep reading to learn valuable tips for applying to law school with a community college degree.

When Should You Apply to Law School?

Many students successfully admitted into law school agree that applying early is always best. Many law schools accept applications on a rolling basis, releasing their decisions over the course of several months. While applying early will not guarantee your admission, applying closer to the deadline means fewer spaces may be left to fill, which could hurt your chances of getting in. Remember that most schools will not even begin to review your application until they have received all the necessary documents to be proactive about making your requests for recommendations and writing your essays. Take the LSAT as soon as possible without compromising your score – if you are fully prepared, take the test at the first available sitting. You should also remember that even if you are not accepted during the first round of admissions, there may still be hope. Many schools put students on a waitlist, offering priority acceptance to one set of students

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Do You Need to Pick a Major Before Starting Community College?

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Do You Need to Pick a Major Before Starting Community College?
Picking a major is a big decision. You shouldn't rush, but there are benefits to making your choice early. Keep reading to receive tips for choosing a major.

When you set foot on a college campus for the first time and start to meet other students, the question you are most likely to be asked first is, “What’s your major?” For some, this question rears its ugly head even earlier, during high school before you even decide where (or if) you are going to college. Choosing a major is a big decision and one that will have a serious impact on the rest of your life. This being the case, it is not something you should take lightly.

But just how important is it to pick a major before you start college? Or can you wait until you have a few classes under your belt to see what you really like? If you are still undecided, it isn’t the end of the world – you can still graduate with the major of your choice and enter the “real world” in your chosen field. Keep reading to learn more about which majors offer the best chances for success and to receive tips for choosing a major that suits your interests.

What Exactly is a Major?

A college major is simply a specialized area of study. When you choose a major, you are choosing the direction of your academic career. In addition to taking any general education requirements your school might have, you will also be taking classes that are relevant to your major. Most community colleges and traditional universities offer a wide variety of

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Short-Term Commitment – Long-Term Benefits: Three Study-Abroad Options for Community College Students

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Short-Term Commitment – Long-Term Benefits: Three Study-Abroad Options for Community College Students
While study abroad has long been considered an option only for students at four-year colleges and universities, there are actually many options for community college students who would like to experience studying in another country.

For many students attending four-year colleges or universities, a semester abroad is a typical experience and one that offers a host of benefits. Students who study abroad have the opportunity to live and study within a new culture, and often have the chance to hone valuable language skills. However, for community college students, many of whom have important responsibilities outside of the classroom, spending months away from home and work is impractical at best, and more than likely impossible.

This video offers some reasons why you should study abroad.

In recent years several community colleges have identified the benefits of studying abroad, and have acknowledged the unique challenges their students face in doing so. As a result, many community colleges now offer short-term study-abroad programs, as well as traditional semester programs. In the last decades, the number of community college students who take the opportunity to study abroad has expanded tremendously, from just fewer than 4,000 students back in 2001, to almost 300,000 in 2015.

Community colleges offer programs to fit the schedules and unique learning needs of almost any student:

  • Short-term educational programs
  • Traditional semester-long programs
  • Short and long term volunteer or service-learning programs

Community college students can work with study abroad program providers, who will coordinate with a student’s college to assess the credit available for different short and long-term programs. They can also enroll directly with foreign universities and transfer credits when they

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Student Issues / Attending College

COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOUSING
The number of community colleges offering on-campus housing is on the rise. Learn more about campus living options, compare the pros and cons of dorm life, and get help deciding what housing is best for you.
The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College
The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College
Living on Campus: Student Housing Coming to a Community College Near You
Living on Campus: Student Housing Coming to a Community College Near You
Campus Living Options for Community College Students
Campus Living Options for Community College Students
IMPROVING LEARNING
Get helpful tips and expert advice on boosting your GPA. This section will provide valuable tips on studying, mentor programs and how to avoid academic probation. Examine the latest trends in student motivation techniques, take a good look at online learning, and find resources to guide you on the path to success.
The Top 10 Tips for Incoming Community College Students
The Top 10 Tips for Incoming Community College Students
Should You Declare Academic Bankruptcy?
Should You Declare Academic Bankruptcy?
A Nontraditional Student’s Guide to Community College
A Nontraditional Student’s Guide to Community College
IMPROVING YOUR JOB SEARCH
Whether you have just enrolled in community college or you’re ready to graduate and enter the job market, our articles can help improve your opportunities of landing the perfect job. Internships and apprenticeships offer lots of benefits, find out how participation in these programs can move your resume to the top of the pile. Analyze employment data for community college graduates and determine who is getting hired. Get valuable tips on polishing your candidacy and making the most of job fairs.
Do You Need to Pick a Major Before Starting Community College?
Do You Need to Pick a Major Before Starting Community College?
Getting into Law School with a Community College Degree
Getting into Law School with a Community College Degree
Understanding the Different Types of College Degrees and How to Choose
Understanding the Different Types of College Degrees and How to Choose
CLASS SCHEDULES
- Do you need child care? Are you employed full-time? Community colleges offer a variety of scheduling options, allowing most students to easily integrate continued education into an already busy schedule. From weekend classes to courses at midnight, we cover the gamut of flexible class schedules at community college.
The Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment
The Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment
How Community Colleges Plan to Spend Summer Vacation
How Community Colleges Plan to Spend Summer Vacation
Graduate from Community College Earlier  By Paying More
Graduate from Community College Earlier By Paying More