“Applying to community college allows them the freedom to develop a sense of what they want to accomplish with their education and what they want to do with their lives.". This is the third story in a four-part series about the transition between high school and "the real world" — whether that's college, university, the workforce or something completely different. Across the country, community colleges have worked to ensure that their associate's degrees matc… When it comes down to it, there’s really no end-all, be-all difference between college and university; it’s just more of a general trend of things that are usually truer for one than the other. “It might be partly because I’m located in the city, but I feel like college really gives you a feel for real life,” says Alex Watson, a freshman at the City University of New York. It is better because you now get to call the shots and enjoy the rewards that come with that. “It can help students develop necessary academic skills, mature emotionally, and often lead to a more fulfilling, better-paying career," he says, “while also helping students reduce their debt load.". “You don’t have to (keep going) to school because it’s what you’ve done since you were a kid.”. The decision to attend a community college instead of, or before, a four-year college is complicated and based on many factors. But during the interview process over the years, the 24-year-old realized he was being passed over because of his college diploma. When it comes to choosing between a two-year community college and a four-year university, one isn't inherently better than the other. The pressure students feel is completely normal, but it can also leave them feeling overwhelmed and unsure of their decision in the first place. When Keidi Janz, 30, graduated from a Toronto high school, she had no idea what she wanted to do. When high school seniors are deciding how to pursue higher education, they may not initially think of community colleges. Community college vs. university: which is better? WATCH BELOW: A career coach says students need to look beyond cost, location and programming when deciding where to take post-secondary education. “We are the instant gratification generation because we have not really experienced a recession that set our expectations.”. “Follow the money, and figure out the happiness later… It’s wrong to tell people to follow their passion because they don’t know what their passion is yet.”. A community college education is not valued by employers. READ MORE: Canadian school counsellors are stretched thin — and it’s our students that suffer. Another issue is the pressure to figure out exactly which institution you want to attend right after high school. “It was just accepted (back then) that you came out of post-secondary and you needed to work or were already working,” she said. However, a college and a university can often mean very different things depending on the context and the country. However, “This is true whether or not you go to a community college," he says. It depends on a number of factors inculding the level of the course and the institutions themselves. Considerations include cost, which schools you can get accepted to based on your grades, the kind of learning environment that works best for you, and your desired career path. “Long-term, it’s not going to matter,” Schweitzer said. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Turns out, there are plenty of community college benefits, and attending one can be an advantage for students before they move on to a four-year university. This, he adds, can help improve institutions’ retention rates. Nobody has one career.”. “Universities made me feel like an application number compared to a possible future community member (at college),” he said. He graduated from Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ont., with a business diploma in 2018. On the other hand, recruiters don't always visit community colleges, Swaminathan says, so most students will have to actively seek work. “Kids don't always know what they want to study in school," says Swaminathan. A math major studies theorems and formulas within math subjects. This is the third story in a four-part series about the transition between high school and "the real world" — whether that's college, university, the workforce or something completely different. If its actually a good one, it will challenge you as much as university, perhaps more. The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston College than BU ($28,354 vs. $29,479) Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 9% lower than costs at Boston University ($14,826 vs. $16,160) “Four-year colleges are great," Swaminathan says, “but parents and students shouldn't get hung up on this path as the only path.". Want to discuss? “Going to community college for two years — getting all of your pre-requisites and then transferring to a university — can save students up to $60,000 in some cases," he says. In work, someone above you is making the rules. Community Colleges are often thought to be easier than courses at 4-year institutions, but this isn't the case. Another 2008 study by the Canadian Education Project, a Toronto-based education policy and research association, found 38 per cent of college and university students in Canada will drop out or change majors over the course of their post-secondary career. By taking all of these factors into mind, you can ensure you're making a good choice for your education and your future. This is an interesting notion that people … Obviously not to the level of a graduate, (but) I’ve gone through training on my own,” she said. The student population at public universities is much bigger than private. Not necessarily. Another important factor while choosing a college is assessing the support a school provides when students are looking for employment. This is a combination Robert Shea, associate vice-president of academic and student affairs at Memorial University in Newfoundland, calls the “academic ladder.”. Laurel Gregory reports. But to be honest, college > highschool. Others believe that you receive a better education at a university as opposed to a college. Considerations include cost, which schools you can get accepted to based on your grades, the kind of learning environment that works best for you, and your desired career path. Learn more in the Discover Help Center, Start Budgeting for College Application Season, 4 Smart Tips for Comparing Student Loan Interest Rates, 6 Steps for How to Compare Your Financial Aid Award Letters, 4 Things to Consider Before You Accept That Scholarship, It's Never Too Late to Apply for College Scholarships, Create the Dorm Room You Love on a Budget, How Internships Helped Me Get a Job After College, Budgeting for Your Child's College Visits, Credit Strategies for Cosigning a Student Loan. Favorite Answer Community College courses, even though they appear to be the same in content, are usually much easier than the "same" course taken in … ^^ That's definitely true, hence it being a little "easier" than going to a university. Community colleges usually offer more evening classes and may even have options for weekend classes. A 2015 study conducted by Henry Gary Decock of the University of Toronto found that an increasing number of students entering Seneca College had used the college’s program as a vehicle to university. What matters more are the interpersonal skills and networks they build along the way. When a student ends up choosing a post-secondary option that isn’t the best fit, there is a high chance they’ll drop out. In college, everything is very structured. “Colleges are supposed to be in touch with the industry,” she adds. 328$ lower tuition required? For some people, Swaminathan says, attending community college first can mean the difference between getting into your dream school and simply going wherever you're accepted. Community colleges are gateway schools for many careers, he adds. By December of that year, roughly 143,000 had dropped out. WATCH: Global News asked 10 students if they felt there was a stigma around choosing college over university. The survey followed 963,000 students aged 18 to 20 who were in post-secondary institutions by 2005. Like most new grads, he began the process of applying for jobs in his field. One in two respondents of their 2014-2015 national alumni survey cited exploring academic options as a key motivation to taking 12 months off. However, one of the biggest community college benefits is its cost compared to four-year universities. “In California, for example," Swaminathan says, "it's easier to get into the UC system if you go to a community college for two years as opposed to applying right after high school." An advocate for “no education is wasted,” and as a mother herself, Schweitzer is a huge proponent for taking the time needed to figure out what one really wants to do — even if that means taking time off. Please read our Commenting Policy first. College Degrees Make Healthy Living Easier. Here are five steps to follow when choosing an institution of higher education: 1. Janz focused on herself by going to therapy and exploring outside hobbies, this provided some clarity for her future. Students who want to become nurses or radiology technicians, for example, may benefit more from attending a community college. 07-18-2009 at 10:16 am. Schools have career centers and resources that can help you find a job. I (get) filtered out.”. University, undergraduate courses are generally divided into four levels of difficulty. Why Canadian high school students are confused about what to do next, Why Canadian high school students are confused about what to do next – Oct 1, 2019, When can we expect the coronavirus vaccine? © 2019 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. “It should not be a year to do nothing, but a year to volunteer, work and explore career options and potential areas of study,” he said. To protect your account security, you must update your browser as soon as possible. Understand the differences between the ACT vs SAT and get help on which you should take. If a student values small class sizes and a closer relationship with professors, then a college might be the best option. College, in contrast to university, is an educational institution that offers further education courses leading to specific degrees or qualifications. Meanwhile, the belief that one’s passion should also be one’s full-time career is a disadvantage for new graduates, she said. “Community college is a great fit for many students, and often better than going to a four-year college," says Venkates Swaminathan, the founder and CEO of LifeLaunchr, an online college planning and coaching service. Made the choice to go to a different learning style and the.. '' says Swaminathan the industry, ” he said I pull on a of. To a community college and a closer relationship with professors, then a college major to help you find job. Their school are creating their own paths to get help from a wait list give many high school the. Aged 18 to 20 who were in post-secondary institutions by 2005 to call the shots and the. Looking for employment for all undergraduate students, the 24-year-old realized he being!, graduated from a professor not a teaching aid can complete your two... 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