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The community college versus the four-year college or university is a long-standing debate. Often it seems that university faculty take a rather snobbish view of students who transfer from community, or two-year colleges. However, as in all things, the results are the ultimate proof.

Having done much of my general education at a community college prior to transferring to a four-year university, I have some insight into this issue. I did encounter some prejudice from some of my university professors, but my work and ultimately my grade point average eventually silenced their rather unflattering comments about their rival community college. I don't feel that the prejudice I encountered was much of an issue, nor was it widespread among my professors, but it did exist.

From an academic standpoint, I don't feel that I suffered in any way. I transferred to a four-year university and had no trouble whatsoever in keeping pace with the students who had attended the university from day one. In fact, in many cases, I felt I was better prepared. Perhaps it was my particular circumstances, but I found that the faculty at the community college I attended were more accessible to students outside of class and were almost always open to giving extra help when needed. Additionally, the atmosphere at the community college reminded me more of high school, which helped ease the transition from high school to college for me. With all the pressures and distractions facing college freshman, the less formal and more relaxed atmosphere can help lower the stress level.

From a social standpoint, I found the community college I attended to offer more opportunities for socializing and making friends. Since the student body was much smaller than the university I later attended, it was much easier to meet and get acquainted with other students. Impromptu study groups seemed to form almost spontaneously whenever two or more students ran into each other in the cafeteria or student center. Study groups at the university seemed much more formal and were always scheduled several days in advance.

From an economic standpoint, community college is much less expensive than a four-year college or university. I saved literally thousands of dollars by taking the first two years of general education courses at a community college. I also worked as a work-study student while attending community college, an option that was not available to me at the university. Since the university had a much larger student body, competition for work study scholarships at the university was much tougher. Although the university had more students, there was a disproportionate amount of work study positions and these were often awarded months in advance.

I would recommend community college as an excellent first step into college. From an academic, social and financial standpoint, community college is a win-win proposition.

Learn more about this author, Claudia Reynolds.
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