Shortly after her high school graduation, Sofia Rodriguez of Elk Grove, California, weighed her future options and decided that attending a community college was the best way to save money before transferring to a four-year university.
That decision, however, led to another one: With several community colleges in the area, which one should she choose?
“I decided to go to Sacramento City College because it’s a little farther away from Elk Grove. I wanted to experience seeing fresh faces and something different,” says Rodriguez, 18, now in her first semester at the school. “It was probably the best decision I’ve ever made, because I do enjoy that feeling of independence. It’s also a little more personal there, so I’m doing well with communicating with my professors.”
With more than 1,100 community colleges in the country, according to 2015 statistics from the American Association of Community Colleges, prospective students may have several campuses from which to choose. The key to evaluating them, experts say, is to ask questions based on personal goals and needs.
[Discover reasons why high school graduates turn to community college.]
Sid Savara, a 2002 graduate of the University of Hawaii–Manoa, spent two of his undergraduate years as a volunteer adviser helping prospective students navigate the University of Hawaii system, which includes seven community colleges and three four-year universities.
He says students should start by looking at their end goals and asking if the community college they’re considering is a good fit, whether for transitioning to a particular four-year university or directly into the workforce.
For students aiming for a specific vocation, Savara suggests looking for a community college that’s a strong match.
“Just like certain four-year universities, community colleges have strengths, too. In Hawaii we have one community college that’s renowned for its culinary program, while another one is known more for its hands-on technical programs,” says Savara. “So even with two-year degrees and certificate programs, there are some campuses that could be better suited for you than others.”
Ryan Helsdingen had a four-year degree and a career in his sights when he enrolled in the Engineering Pathways program at Harper College in Illinois. Qualifying students who complete the program are guaranteed admission to the engineering school at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign. High school introductory courses in electrical engineering had fueled his desire to pursue a career in the field, Helsdingen says.
Many community colleges offer vocational or educational pathways to equip students with the specific qualifications they need to transition to a vocation or a university partner.
[Make the leap from community college to a four-year university.]
Helsdingen, now 21 and in his senior year at the University of Illinois, says the pathways program was a key factor in his decision to attend Harper College.
“Obviously do your research before you go into a community college and make sure the classes they offer transfer to the university you want to attend,” he says.
Sandra Kurtinitis, president of the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland, says one way students can gauge a community college’s commitment to their success is to ask detailed questions about the admissions process.
“The admissions process is an important time for a student,” she says. “So ask questions about it: How long does it take? Will I get to meet with an adviser? Will I get good advice on what to take so I don’t waste time in courses I shouldn’t take?”
[Find out which colleges enroll the most transfer students.]
Some students also may want to ask about placement or assessment tests, Kurtinitis says, particularly if they’re feeling apprehensive.
“If I have to take a placement test, should I study for it and how?” she says. “And I think certain students would want to ask, ‘If I’m not ready to do well, does this college have the capacity to help me get ready and do well?'”
At Mesa Community College in Arizona, acting Vice President of Academic Affairs Roger Yohe says he speaks with many new students who are still undecided as to what they want to do with their futures. For this reason, he says prospective students should ask any college, “What kind of career development assistance can I receive at this college?” — both in choosing a path and excelling at it.
“It’s a constant conversation you need to have throughout your college career,” says Yohe. “And you want to make sure the school has a successful faculty to have those conversations with.”
To this point, questions about classroom size and instructor accessibility can help demonstrate a college’s commitment to its students’ success, he says.
Finally, questions about so-called wraparound services, such as tutoring and advising, are key, says Joanna Anderson, president of State Fair Community College in Missouri, which offers guidance through its Student Success Navigator program.
“We make sure we have advisers for every pathway who understand how to get students from point A to point B when completing certificates and degrees,” Anderson says. “They are very connected. If an instructor tells a Navigator their student isn’t showing up for class, they make phone calls and send emails. They are not only there for students at any time, but they are proactively keeping those students engaged and moving forward.”
Trying to fund your education? Get tips, news and more in the U.S. News Paying for Community College center.
More from U.S. News
5 Ways to Get Ready for Spring Semester at Community College
Graduates of 4-Year Universities Flock to Community Colleges for Job Skills
Consider These Alternatives to a 4-Year Degree
Select a Community College by Asking Common Questions originally appeared on usnews.com
