The Importance of Community College In the article “Two Years Are Better Than Four,” Liz Addison claims that community colleges gives students the opportunity to begin with the belief that anything is achievable by merely following all the steps provided. Community college tuition fees are very affordable for students compared to four years college that students have to get huge amount of loans to pay for tuition. Addison also state on how important community college is to students that didn’t finish high school. Community college allows various kind of students to start or continue education. Also, community college prepare students mentally for high education in the future. Community college gives students time and opportunity
“The first is that they could be the nation’s most powerful tools to improve the opportunities of less privileged Americans, giving them a shot at harnessing a fast –changing job market and building a more equitable, inclusive society for all of us” said Porter (page1). Community college make students important to the society because, they can go to school, work and be available for their family at the same time. Students can save thousands of dollars while attending community college and work. Also it easy for students with per-term jobs to pay for their tuition fees with the help of payment plan. For example, I came to the United States five years ago and got a part term job. I started school at Truman College and I was told by my advisor that I can transfer to a four year college in next two years. Later my advisor explained to me about four years college tuition fees which I wasn’t a citizen then. Then I asked my advisor what if I stay more years at Truman to graduate since I work and stay with my family. Then my advisor told me it a good idea since I work and at the same time I can afford to pay for my classes. This are the benefit a student can benefit from going to community college. Community college makes life easy for students to study and take care of other responsibilities.
However, such an argument completely ignores the fact that community college teach students how to become successful in life. “’College is the key,’ a young African-American student writes for the umpteenth torturous revision of his college essay, ‘as well as hope’” said Addison (page2). Many students switch majors in their first two years of school which makes sense because it’s difficult for a student to plan his or her life and what he or she is going for. Community college will give u all the time in this world to choose a major by taking general classes like math, English and other general subjects for the main time. For example, when I started school at Truman College, I wasn’t sure of my major. Therefore, I started taking general class like math, English and music just to keep me in school till I decide my major. Community college gives students time to learn more about college before choosing what to major in; which makes it easy for more students to enroll in credit classes and be successful in life. Compare to university whereby a student has to know what he or she wants to major in; if not, it will be waste of
The final assumption that is not as expressed as often is the thought that Community colleges have low academic standards. However, this is just simply not true. students usually have to take placement tests in order to qualify for college level work. Technical and special programs have high standards and students compete to enroll. Going off that, community colleges just offer extra support to students to see them succeed.
In the article “ Two Years are better than Four” written by Liz Addison she makes her claim very early on in the paper by stating that community college is the best option, because it has opportunities for any type of person. She goes to tell all of the advantages throughout the article. While in “College Prepares People for Life,” written by Freeman Hrabowski, states his claim being college teaches you more than just education but never goes on to tell you how college teaches you these things. With both claims explained, it is made clear that Liz Addison gives us a better look on how community colleges benefit everyone rather than Hrabowski barley mentioning his claim at all.
In “Two Years Are Better than Four”, Liz Addison argues against Rick Perlstein’s article “What’s the Matter With College?”. While Perlstein questions the value of college as it currently is, Addison argues that the “community college system is America’s hidden public service gem”(Addison 257). By way of that, she defends the value of college. Unsurprisingly, as with most situations, the truth is somewhere in between ends of a spectrum created by these two articles. While I agree with Addison’s idea of community college being an accessible starting point for everyone, she fails to appropriately represent the unique culture often found in these types of colleges. Also, I think that she also fails to look at the overall purpose of attending school and then neglects to acknowledge the benefits of a four year university.
One major decision one must make after exiting high school is whether to go to a university or go to community college. In the article “Two Year Are Better Than Four,” written by Liz Addison. She expressed her opinion on the significance of community colleges in comparison with the university. She stated that community college do not receive the acknowledgment and appreciation that they deserve. “what’s the matter with colleges?,” (Addison 255). although, there is a lot to agree with within the article there are some faulty statements that two year colleges don’t offer the best education possible and that community college are more engaging and individualized for a student and the price is also much less expensive than a university education.
...accessible for all students. In his article, Murray states, “Employers do not value what the student has learned, just that the student has a degree.” (Murray 233) Similarly, employers often do not value where the degree is from, just that one has been achieved. Thus, community college is the quintessential choice to not only “break the norm” of a B.A., but to aid in financial stability while doing so. Addison’s counterargument strongly disagrees with Murray’s overall argument, that college is not necessary.
A look back at the institution of education over the past 20 years will reveal that once upon a time a bachelor’s degree was long since considered the marker of ultimate success, the highest level of achievement that one could make in their lives. In those days, if for some reason you failed to march across the stage on graduation day after an epic, four-year stretch of high tuition, long nights studying, and unrelenting professors that found great joy in riding your back, then you had indeed failed at life.
Community colleges have been tool used by many American students and families as a means of affordable education for better life for themselves and their children. Community colleges has played a big role in helping middle and lower income families who can 't afford to go to 4 years colleges ,the chance to educate themselves and their children. Community college was created in order to give basic liberal , technical and vocational education to all willing to be educated.
I’m currently enrolled in Montgomery College, located in Maryland. Montgomery College is a community college. Community colleges are different in comparison to four-year universities. I had a choice of either getting a job or going to college. There are many reasons why I choose to go to Montgomery College. I chose to go to college because I want to pursue a degree in Psychology. When choosing a college, there are a lot of decisions to make and you have to choose what’s best in your interest. In today’s society, community colleges take up a lot of the students going to pursue their education. President Obama has proposed to make all community colleges free for all Americans and I agree with this statement. People have different perspectives
As the high school chapter is coming to a close, many students have to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives. Hopefully, for many that decision is to enroll in a college and attain a higher education. However, as tuition costs rise, students have to take a second look at their options for a better future. A community college is that second look for many because it is the less expensive option. From 2007-2009, enrollment for community colleges has increased by 24 percent (“College costs and the CPI”). Students aren’t choosing a college for educational purposes because they are overwhelmed by financial issues. They are attending community colleges so they will be able to graduate with a lower debt. Some seniors have wanted to attend a certain university all their life and they work toward that goal through grade school; however, they are hindered by soaring tuition for that college. Students should be able to attend a private university if they mee...
What do people think when the words community college get brought up? How about, two-year college, more likely to drop out, or even a way for uninspired students to say they have a plan. When I think of community college, I think about how I get to stay close to home, I get to attend for free, anyone is welcome, and I am still getting an good education. Community college is underappreciated, many people believe that students will not get the college experience if they attend a community college, but I disagree. There are countless benefits to attending a two-year college. In the story, "Two Years Are Better than Four," the author and Southern Maine Community College graduate wrote an essay about the importance of community college and explains that college does still matter and she also expresses the benefits. Community college is a blessing in disguise, people need to understand and begin to take advantage of its benefits.
While universities require their applicant to be somehow professional before they admit them, community colleges allow their students to enter the college experience as rookies-inexperienced- and give them the opportunity to reach professionalism. Addison herself writes “you will grow up with your first English class a bit more with your first psychology class, a whole lot more with your first biology, physics, chemistry”(257). Addison’s point is that community college are built in a way to help its student start from where they finished high school without having to get use to a whole new environment. How can we expect an adolescent to focus on their studies while they have a lot of changes going on in their life? Is it even possible for them to succeed with all those changes going on in their life? In Addison’s perspective, that is why community colleges still matter, because they can help those student, who have to learn to live like adults while their academic success is not affected.
For those that could not undergo the college experience otherwise, doors leading to opportunity are opened. However, I do not share Addison’s view that attending community college is the best method for anyone. Whether college or community college is chosen, comparisons cannot be properly made. It is difficult to determine which of the two choices is better because every person and their situation is different, requiring different methods. I gravitate towards the position of avoiding community colleges if possible, but as stated before, college is not always possible. Private colleges tend to have higher academic standards, for everyone earned the right to be admitted. This community of common ground and similar academic ability creates an atmosphere that is comfortable, yet motivated. I agree with Addison and Hacker and Dreifus in the sense that education needs improving, but I do not agree with their entire view. It is impossible to create a perfect form of education because not every student is the same. A different education than the current is not always the answer because someone will always be placed at a disadvantage. In conclusion, I strongly encourage the option of attending private college; however, community colleges can serve as a wonderful, life-saving alternative for those who desire the college experience, but are unable to attend
In the article written by Rodney K.Smith where he puts forward a clear argument about “Yes, a College Education is Worth the Cost. There are more opportunities and doors open for those with higher education compared to those without. Higher education allows people to live in better neighborhoods; it brings financial security and stability. ”. Financially secured people not only are able to afford extracurricular activities for their kids, such as sports, music lessons, art, dancing etc, it also allows to have intellectual knowledge in general as well as better nutrition and medical care compared to uneducated people. A college education is worth the cost and investment of the students’ time.
With tuition rising every year, students face the challenge paying the debt achieving a college degree comes with. “Student debt surpassed credit-card debt in June 2010 for the first time in history, rising to about $830 billion — or nearly 6 percent of the nation 's annual economic output”(Clemmitt, Marcia). Not everyone has a ton of money just laying around. Being that financial trouble is the biggest problem for students, they begin to question whether college is worth it or not. In recent years, students have taken out loans to help with expenses. Most students choose to attend a community and junior college to help minimize the debt. Even after graduating with a degree, students still face the struggle of finding a job in this economic time. For higher class families this may not be a problem to them. But for the middle class and low income families, they face tougher times being that they don 't have the financial help like higher class families do. For the middle class and low income families, it makes more sense attending a community and junior college rather than a four year university.
Why does community college students struggle to get their diplomas? Throughout my research I was questioning what cause college students strive to get their associate degree or transfer to a university; from my personal opinion and observation, this issue can be addressed. According to the article “Uncluttering the pathway to diploma”, there are several reasons that community college students face a very long road to graduation. Are the factors of late registering classes, lack of right academic advising, attendance policies and wide range of course selection, the main reason for the struggle of community college student?